Come join us for warm weather bird photography from the amazing Laguna Seca Ranch in South Texas. We are going in February when the largest number of raptors congregate at the ranch. It is possible to see more than 50 Crested Caracaras, Turkey Vultures, Black Vultures gathered at one time. In addition we regularly see Harris Hawks and White-tailed Hawks at the ranch. With so many raptors in one place, it is easy to photograph interactions between raptors and even species of raptors. Because of their larger size, raptors are more easy to photograph than some of the faster, smaller songbirds.
06 Feb 2028 - 11 Feb 2028 | 6:00 pm - 10:00 am
$4403
Laguna Seca Ranch, Edinburg, TX, USA
All Skill Levels
When we are not focused on raptors we will photograph the resident South Texas specialty songbirds which include Green Jays, Pyrrhuloxia, Long Billed Thrashers, Greater Roadrunners. Wild Turkeys and Bobwhite Quail. By setting up perches and using bird food to lure them in, the birds will come to us. We will have exclusive use of the ranch and multiple blinds each day.
If you have been to Laguna Seca in the spring, this is the perfect opportunity to come back and visit when there are groups of birds interacting in front of us.We love photographing birds, and can’t wait to return! We promise you will have a lot of fun, improve your photography, and create images worthy of hanging in your home.
What you will learn:
- Blind photography techniques
- How to photograph raptors and songbirds, both static and in flight
- Advanced autofocus strategies for wildlife photography
- Composition
- Wildlife Editing in Lightroom and Photoshop
A typical day: Our days will be all about photographing birds. Our goal is to help you learn how to take compelling bird photos with hands on instruction. We will cover camera settings, anticipating behavior, and specialty topics like stylizing perches, site prep and using food to lure birds.
Hotel: Book your room at the Holiday Inn Express in Pharr, Texas for the entire workshop. Be sure it’s the hotel in Pfarr on Nolana Road as there are several Holiday Inns nearby. Their rates are very wallet friendly so we do not have a group block.
Closest Airport: McAllen, Texas – Our hotel in Pharr is located just 10 minutes from the airport in McAllen. Pharr and McAllen are only ten minutes from each other.
What to Bring
Recommended camera gear:
- 1-2 camera bodies (back up body can be useful)
- Wider telephoto lens for example 70-200mm or 300mm
- Longer telephoto lens –200-500mm, 500mm or 600mm, or even 800mm
- Tripod
- Laptop for editing and critique
- Plenty of spare cards – plan to shoot several thousand images
Notes
Included in the fee:
- Accommodation at the Holiday Inn Express in Pharr, TX
- Final Dinner at our favorite Mexican Restaurant
- All fees for private blinds and guides; exclusive use of the ranch blinds
- Breakfast daily at the hotel
- All instruction
- Copy of Tom’s ebook Create Better Photographs
Participants will provide their own:
- Transportation while in Texas (we recommend a SUV or vehicle with high clearance because of the dirt roads on the ranches.
- Round trip transportation to McAllen, Texas
- All lunches and dinners, except for Final Dinner
Caption
UK
Model
f/8.0
20.0 mm
1/5
1/5
50
