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April 30 - May 7, 2024 - Accepting Applications
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Let’s head out to photograph birds! Where? Ecuador, of course! To the Chocó Cloudforest!
Ecuador is slightly larger than Colorado – but about 1 out of every 5 bird species in the world lives or passes through this cauldron of biodiversity. It is the forth highest nation in the world for bird diversity, with over 1,500 species. And Ecuador has 25% of the world’s cloud forests!
"We are delighted with our photos, those birds are absolutely spectacular and you helped us come away with new ideas, many wonderful memories as well as outstanding images."
Dick and Sue R |
Check out some images from our past Ecuador Birds Photography Adventures here!
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2024 Rates
$6,200 Double Occupancy, each
$6,800 Single Occupancy
$800 with Application
$1,600 2nd Payment 1 Sep 23
Final Payment 15 Jan 24 |
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And, the hot spot is the Chocó Bioregion, especially in northwest Ecuador! Ask a birder… ask a conservationist – this region is so very special that it is on the must list for birders and the “oh, we have to save this” list for conservation! About 25% of the plants and animals in the Chocó are endemic – found no place else on earth!
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And the cool thing is that the infrastructure to take you to find birds has just reached the threshold where we can both take good care of you – and promise that you’ll come home with outstanding bird images!
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The key to accomplishing this is that small family farmers have been cooperating with conservation groups and small-scale tourism enterprises to set aside natural areas in a number of biological zones. When you show up to photograph birds, the funds go directly to protecting birds and habitat on these small farm operations! 
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We have done our own conspiring, with our friend and guide Pancho, to build an itinerary that weaves together visits to a variety of habitats, to produce opportunities to photograph some amazing species that previously were just fancy names on birders checklists! 
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You may recognize some of these names… Cock of the Rock, Golden Tanager, Golden Naped Tanager, Flame Faced Tanager, Black Chinned Mountain Tanager, Beryl-spangled Tanager, Moss-backed Tanager, Glistening Green Tanager, Blue-winged Mountain Tanager, Cinnamon Flycatcher, Choco Toucan, Crimsom-rumped Toucanet, Plate-billed Mountain Toucan, Tiny Hawk, Rufous-crowned Antpitta, Giant Antpitta, Barred Puffbird, Umbrella Bird, Golden-headed Quetzal, Masked Trogon, Oil Bird, Orange-breasted Fruiteater, Blue-backed Conebill, Toucan Barbet, Turquoise Jay… the list just goes on and on.
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And, did we mention hummingbirds? There are more kinds and shapes of hummingbirds than you thought existed! Fun names, too, like Shining Sunbeam, Violet-tailed Sylph, Buff-tailed Coronet, Sword-billed Hummingbird, Brown Violetear, Collared Inca, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Purple-chested Hummingbird, White-necked Jacobin, and Booted Racket-tailed Hummingbird.
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While the focus is on birds, you can’t go to the cloud forest without photographing butterflies!
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There are also waterfalls. And, we’ll do some night walks to find nocturnal creatures like spiders and… |
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We have arranged a special session for photographing hummingbirds with multiple flashes. You don't need to bring any equipment to make this happen. We will set up the flashes and provide you with a trigger. The timing is up to you!
There is a lot to learn in a setup like this. We'll explain how each flash contributes to the image design - and the thoughts that go into its placement. We'll be bringing our own special backgrounds to make these images look different (and we think better) than many of the flash shots you see coming out of other workshops!
When you leave, you'll have both new skills and some great images to share! |
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You will come back with so many images of birds, butterflies, blossoms, and more! The challenge will be to figure out what their names are!
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April 30-May 7, 2024
Price includes all local transportation, lodging for 7 nights (close to the action), most meals, English-speaking local guide, photography guide/instructor, prep materials.
Flights to and from Quito, Ecuador (our base camp for this adventure) at your own expense. Extra nights at the beginning or end at your own expense. Alcoholic drinks at your own expense. Tipping is expected and your responsibility.
This will be a small group, 5-7 people.
While the adventure will not be terribly demanding, you will need to be able to manage your gear (including long lens and tripod) on forest trails (Ecuador is not flat!).
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2023 |
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The word Madagascar evokes mystery and wildness. Madagascar is home to all of the world's lemurs, a branch of primates from the same roots that also spawned humans. There are scores of species of chameleons. Several species of baobabs. And most of the birds here are endemic. The size of Texas, Madagascar has numerous ecosystems - each with its own set of creatures - and a number of exciting landscape opportunities. This round is a private tour. Another round in 2024 - with limited space. Contact us if you want on the list! |
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The vestages of the great Mayan world. Exciting caves. Rainforests and rivers filled with exciting flora and fauna. |
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2024
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Venture out into the wilds of Rwanda with a small group, often on foot, to experience photographic encounters with wild gorillas, chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, golden monkeys, and much, much more. Dates are tentative until we secure permits. We are building custom groups of travelers we have field experience with. Ask if you fit this group! |
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Timed to meet the great migration in the Serengeti, our safari takes you to some of the great parks and protected areas in northern Tanzania in search of lions, zebras, giraffes, cheetah, hyenas... Of all our itineraries, anywhere in the world, this one has the best reviews - and is a real life-changing experience! If you'll only be making one photography foray into sub-Saharan Africa in your life - this is the trip! |
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We're headed back to the Galapagos with a new yacht and new itinerary. Join us in 2024 - and we'll explore favorite haunts and add new landings and vistas. Giant tortoises, flightless frigates, 3 kinds of boobies, land and marine iguanas, sea lions and fur seals, flamingos, and the northernmost penguin in the world. The list goes on and on! Truly an inspiring experience - ties the Serengeti in client feedback as the "most life-changing" experience of their lives. |
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Apri19-29 |
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Journey with us through Ecuador's Chocó Cloudforest Ecosystem to find exciting birds. We have choreographed an adventure to help you build an outstand collection of images of colorful and exotic birds - including a number of unique hummingbirds! And, we'll have our very own bird "whisperer" along to help us find them! Did we mention nightwalks for spiders and other creatures? And butterflies and waterfalls? |
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Apr 30 - May 7 |
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Explore the wilds of Borneo. Rainforest filled with unique birds, reptiles, mammals, and insects. Sun Bear. Orangutan. Proboscus monkeys. Langurs. Pygmy Elephants. 8 kinds of Hornbills. Trogons. Broadbills. Fish owls. Kingfishers. Not the same versions of these one might find elsewhere! Giant Flying Squirrels. Pangolin. Clouded Leopard. The list goes on - and this itinerary gives you both a great experience and outstanding photography opportunities. |
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Jun 20-30 |
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The Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras reaches Tanzania's Northern Serengeti in late July or early August. Rains furthern north, in Kenya's Masai Mara beckon the herds - and the route involves crossing the treacherous Mara River where crocodiles await. We've timed this safari to put you at the right place at the right time to capture the drama - and so much more as we explore the areas around the Mara, the Central Serengeti, Tarangire National Park, and the fabled Ngorongoro Crater! |
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Aug 19-30 |
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It's time to grab your spot on our Kenya Photography Safari. We have secured a set of logistics to put us in great positions to photograph great wildlife, superb landscapes, and some unique cultures. Your chance to create images of three kinds of giraffes, and several species not found in other southern and eastern Africa safari destinations. Our key destinations include Samburu, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Elementaita Lake, and the Masai Mara! And there is an exciting extension to Amboseli National Park September 15-19. |
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Join us on a photographic journey to special ecosystems on the mysterious Island of Madagascar!. All of the world's lemurs are endemic here - 110 species and counting. Chameleons - 160 species! And more kinds of baobab trees than anywhere else on earth. Wet forests, dry forests, endemic plants and animals everywhere. We'll photograph during the day and again in the darkness! And an extension to Tsingy - a land of razor-sharp limestone blades and pinnacles! |
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Journey with us into the wilds of Ethiopia to visit a number of ethnic groups that have clung to the old ways. We'll learn how each group sees the world differently - and how it shapes their personal actions and looks. We'll make amazing artful images of the peoples, their worlds, and the natural world around them. This is a wild adventure - we'll be journeying to where few people go - and tourism infrastructue is available. Check out the itinerary here. |
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Ice Caves. Glaciers exhibiting their winter "blues". Frozen Waterfalls. Outstanding icebergs and bits on black sand beaches and floating in both fresh and salt water. Unique ice formations. And, the opportunity to photograph the Northern Lights with great foregrounds. This is an adventure you don't want to miss. Join us! |
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2025 |
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Borneo! Rainforests. Orangutans. Gibbons. Pygmy elephants. Proboscis monkeys. 420 species of birds, including amazing hornbills and kingfishers, brightly colored little birds, pheasants, and the ancestor to the modern chicken. Carnivorous plants. Sun bears. The list goes on and on. We've built an itinerary that takes you into the canopy, on trails by foot, on rivers by boat, and out on night safari. This is not an adventure you want to miss! |
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Our Drones Photography Group is at it again! Back to Iceland to visit a number of unique sites, looking for great places, away from people, to position our drone cameras to capture unique angles. This time we'll find some great "interior" locations, some thermal features, some wild coastlines, and some exciting rivers. Waterfalls are always part of the game in Iceland - you'll be able to position your drone where no person has ever put a camera before. Bring your drone and come create great art with us! |
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Turkey sits at a geographical crossroads, which means that, over history, many cultures have passed through Turkey, each leaving a distinct imprint on the culture and the archaeological record. Let's explore some of the great archaeological wonders - while putting ourselves in great positions make exciting art with cameras. Mosques, Fairy Chimneys, Ephasus, Istanbul, Aphrodisia, Pergamum, Assos and so much more. |
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