New Workshop Listings for 2023

March 29, 2022

I have added a few new workshops for 2023. For a full line up of my workshops please refer to my WORKSHOP PAGE.

Thank you, denise

Tanzania Trip Report

March 27, 2022

I just returned home from Tanzania after a wonderful safari adventure. My group and I enjoyed many sightings including some four cat days (Serval Cat, Cheetah, Lion and Leopard). During our trip we visited Ngorongoro Carter, Ndutu and the Serengeti. Each area unique and with its own appeal. On one outing we watched as a pregnant lioness (that had eaten way too much) pant and moan near a small stream of water. We were so worried about her as she looked near death. Our guide assured us she had only overeaten, and she was not ready to die any minute. Of course, we only semi-believed him. The next day we watched as she playfully rolled over and started to walk around. Turns out our guide was right; it was just the big meal she had eaten in her condition <smile>.

We saw huge herds (in the millions) of Zebra and Wildebeest across the vast lands of the Serengeti. They dotted the landscape for as far as the eye could see. It was impressive. Just like what I saw on TV as a child while watching safari programs. I enjoyed photographing the Zebra one afternoon, as they were packed in very tightly and made for some interesting abstract shots. I also did some high-key Zebra shots that I liked.

I saw my first Eagle Owl and got a few pics I liked. I also had multiple chances photographing Lesser and Greater Flamingo in early morning light. One of our photo sessions included some time with a Leopard that had a kill in the tree, it was feeding on it as we rolled up. After about a half an hour we saw him climb down the tree as we all snapped away hoping to get the perfect shot. We saw another Leopard up a tree on a different day. Our guide told us (and produced the photo to confirm) that the large male Leopard we were watching had killed and eaten another Leopard in 2019; it was most likely a territorial dispute that led to the killing.

We saw large prides of Lions including my favorite “large maned” brothers that I photographed two years ago. On one of our sessions, we were treated to watching the largest of the two brothers as he found a mate hoping to pass on his genes. We photographed lions on the kopjes and up in the trees. This is something we don’t see very often in the Mara - lions up trees or on rocks. One of my favorite shots from the trip was this beautiful female (shown below) laying across a large branch all by herself.

It was a treat to see some Bat-eared Fox kits. One of the fox I photographed had a vampire/bat look to it that I liked. In addition to variety of species that we saw we had the chance to watch and photograph a successful Cheetah hunt. At first it seemed almost pointless to watch as a female Cheetah walked across the Serengeti with two of her young tagging along. They didn’t try to hide their presence they were right out in the open. They took the approach of sorting through the different herds looking for any young or injured animals along the way. Persistence paid off when the adult female chased and captured a young gazelle. Janice Rosner, who was in my vehicle that day caught one of the best shots of the capture, well done Janice!

Some of the group had what we fondly called Weaver Fever. They could not get enough of the weaver’s weaving their nest. There were so many weaver nests to photograph but the nest below caught my eye and I joined in on the Weaver Fever. I shot through some branches to create the ethereal look, I call it “Dream Weaver”. As much as I enjoyed watching the weavers build their nests, I had even more fun watching the baby baboons climb a tree and jump off over and over again. We captured them in mid-air as they plummeted to the ground. It was hysterical.

On our way back to camp we spotted a Cheetah with one small cub walking near the road. There was a dazzle of Zebra in the background and we watched as they kindly escorted the cheetah out of their area. They knew that a full-grown Cheetah wouldn’t try to go after a Zebra on her own and her cub would be of no help as he was slightly lame and he was also too small to be of any help. It was fun to watch and photograph.

Overall, it was a great adventure. I literally have thousands of images to sort. I am just too far behind in emails to work on images, so here are just a few to start with. The group was outstanding—one of the best, we all enjoyed each other’s company. I was sad to say goodbye to Tanzania once again, but I know that I will return in the future. Plans are underway for Donna Bourdon to lead a group there for me March 25th-April 3rd in 2023, March is a great time to visit Tanzania, it’s less crowded and it is still calving season and there are still huge herds around.

I have jut booked a Mara/Samburu trip for 2023 and a Mara/Amboseli trip for 2023. I have not had a chance to list them but if you are interested please contact me.

I have just updated my 2023 Workshop Schedule for those interested.

Heading Back to Tanzania

March 11, 2022

I’m preparing for my upcoming workshop in Tanzania that I will do with co-leader Paul Mckenzie. Paul is already there scouting out a hide location for some of our upcoming Kenya trips. So far he hit the jackpot and will be sharing his images (on my blog) in a few weeks after we get back from Tanzania.

We will be taking 9 clients in 3 vehicles so that everyone has their own row with an open top for maximum viewing. On my last visit to Tanzania we had the pleasure of photographing some very large lions with huge dark manes. I hope to see them again. The shot below is not artistic, it does not depict a glorious scene with epic light, there is no action captured, but the lion’s stare engaged me as did his enormous mane!

I’m also hoping to get more shots of lions in trees or on rocks. We never see this in the Mara, so it is exciting to me to capture them up a tree. In addition to those type of shots I hope that we get some more bird images from Ngorongoro Crater.

Paul sent me great news from Kenya today- PCR testing for fully vaccinated travelers has been discontinued for travel into Kenya.

If you haven’t seen the Fox 11, LA story about Sally Foster, an 84 year old photographer that is exactly like the Energizer Bunny! (btw, the safari photo is from one of our tours together) check it out here.

Stick Marsh

March 9, 2022

I’ve received a lot of emails asking about Stick Marsh conditions after my recent Florida Trip Report post.

I went to Fellsmere (aka the Stick Marsh) on my first day in Florida. I was anxious to get back there because I had heard that there was a lot of construction and I wasn’t sure how it would affect the birds and my workshops.

I arrived in the early morning before dawn and it was as if a bomb had gone off and a new world awoke. There was a noisy water pump that made an annoyingly consistent sound and some kind of machinery that kept beeping plus someone’s car alarm was going off. There were signs all over warning people not to enter the construction site-which was just about everywhere. Take into consideration the hundreds of boats launching, including fan boats. I have no idea how every single bird had not left by now. It was as far from a peaceful nature experience as you could get so I left. Vowing not to return until they were finished with all of their construction stuff.

Last year when I was there, the photography was fantastic; only a handful of photographers, lots of birds and some really great photo opportunities. Because of that memory and plus I had a group coming in, I decided to go back and try again. The same loud annoying sounds, and not too many birds around…ugh.

I decided to tough it out so I started humming a few songs to pass the time and then I began to sing this one song quietly to myself. It was a Carly Simon song called “Coming Around Again”. I have absolutely no idea why I kept singing it or even how I knew as many words as I did but it soothed me. Patience and persistence paid off as before I knew it a couple of Roseate Spoonbills started to fly around. Yippee! Nothing like last year, but at least there were spoonbills flying. Slim pickings actually.. but a few birds are better than none!

Florida Workshops for 2023 Announced!

March 7, 2022

After a very successful double Florida workshop this last week, co-leader Donna Bourdon is ready to go back! We have had so much interest in Florida workshops for birds that we put together a triple header for 2023 that can be done individually or combined in any way. Just click on each workshop name that is underlined for more details. I have a feeling these will go quickly. No spots have been reserved for anyone at this point, as we have had too many emails.

Florida East Coast Workshop - March 4-9th, 2023

Join Donna Bourdon for five days of bird photography on the Florida East Coast. There are tons of great birding spots in Florida and we will hit quite a few of them, Exact locations will of course be determined by the birds—after all they are in charge! Daily schedule will be an early morning shoot followed by a break with image review/Photoshop as time permits, then head back out for a late afternoon shoot. A detailed file will be sent with hotel, gear and clothing recommendations. Our base will be Vero Beach Florida. Informal image review and post processing sessions.

*This trip can easily be combined with the St. Augustine Florida trip- March 12-17th. We also have a 2-day add on for Osprey (Limit 5) on a boat to Blue Cypress available March 10-11th.

Price: $1899.00

Dates: March 4-9th, 2023

Limit 8

This workshop will be led by Donna Bourdon

Blue Cypress Lake, Florida - March 10 and 11th, 2023

Blue Cypress Lake is a lake in Indian River County of the Treasure Coast in Florida. It is teaming with nesting Osprey. We will photograph the nests and the Osprey flying to and from the nests from a boat. We will be careful not to get too close as we do not want to disturb their behavior. However, we will be close enough for great images.

Price: $599.00pp

Dates: March 10-11th

Limit 5

Included: Two hour photo sessions daily from the boat each morning followed by a short break, image review/Photoshop session as time permits and an afternoon shoot for more Florida birds from one of our many East Coast locations. each morning, then we will have a short break and an image review daily (as time permits).

This workshop will be led by Donna Bourdon.

St. Augustine's Alligator Farm, Florida- March 12-17th

Join Donna Bourdon for five days of bird photography at St. Augustine’s Alligator Farm, the Alligator Farm is home to a wide range of nesting birds at close range. Daily schedule will be an early morning shoot followed by a break then head back out for a late afternoon shoot. A detailed file will be sent with hotel, gear and clothing recommendations. Our base will be St. Augustine Florida. Informal image review and post processing will be as time permits. A detailed file will be sent with hotel, gear and clothing recommendations.

Price: $1899.00

Dates: March 12-17th, 2023

Limit 8

This workshop will be led by Donna Bourdon

*This trip can easily be combined with the Florida East Coast Workshop - March 4-9th. We also have a 2-day add on for Osprey (Limit 5) on a boat to Blue Cypress available for March 10-11th.

*A detailed file will be sent with hotel and gear recommendations along with lots of other details regarding the trip.

*All images in this post copyright Donna Bourdon with the exception of one (scenic) copyright Denise Ippolito.