TEXAS BIRDS WORKSHOP
May 13 - 18, 2025
Southern Texas is home to an amazing number of bird species. If you love photographing birds, especially birds in flight, join Jim for an incredible opportunity to capture roseate spoonbills, blue herons, crested caracaras, green jays, whooping cranes, flycatchers, red cardinals, and painted buntings. At the beginning of the tour, we photograph birds at a rookery from a boat, and this is followed by attracting wild birds with food to artfully arranged setups where we take pictures from a blind. You will be awed by the number of great shots you'll be able to take. Don't miss this one!
What you will learn in this workshop:
What camera settings to use for flying birds
The best focus point arrangement for bird action
Panning techniques
How to mitigate excessive noise in post-processing
How to replace distracting and less-than-ideal backgrounds
Choosing the best frame rate for birds in flight
Learning the advantages of auto ISO
Pre-planning depth of field when birds are close to you
Itinerary
Day 1, May 13, Tuesday
Fly to San Antonio, Texas, and meet Jim at 3pm in the rental car area. We then drive 2 1/2 hours to Rockport on the Gulf of Mexico and enjoy a welcome dinner. Overnight Rockport.
Day 2, May 14, Wednesday
After breakfast we board two shallow-draft boats and take a private 4 to 6 hour excursion in Aransas Bay in search of water birds. We focus on rookeries which, at this time of year, are buzzing with activity. The boat captains know the area well and they will take us to the best photographic locations to capture nesting activity, birds in flight, as well as wading birds who are hunting for fish. You'll have tremendous photo opportunities. We return to Rockport for lunch, and then we drive south a couple of hours to Edinburg and check into our hotel. Overnight Edinburg.
Day 3, May 15 - 16, Thursday - Friday
For the next two days, we photograph from a blind in the Rio Grande Valley at private Laguna Seca Ranch. We have early morning and late afternoon sessions to take advantage of the best light, and the midday is reserved for lunch, downloading images, and rest. We will use natural looking setups consisting of tree stumps, flowers, and various plants, and the birds are drawn to these photo locations by strategically placed food. You will get birds reflecting in water, birds in flight, perched birds, and often confrontational encounters in which wing formations can be stunning when captured with a fast shutter speed. Overnight in Edinburg.
Day 4, May 17, Saturday
We have another morning session at Laguna Seca Ranch, and then the photography is over. After lunch we return to San Antonia (3 1/2 hours driving time) and check into our hotel. Jim will have a critique session of. your work followed by our farewell dinner. Overnight San Antonio.
NOTE: You have the option of flying home from McAllen, Texas, which is only 15 minutes away from the Laguna Seca Ranch. Jim has to return the van in San Antonio, so he has to drive back there to fly home.
Workshop cost: $4650. Includes 5 nights lodging based on double occupancy, private boat excursion in Aransas Bay, access to private ranch in Edinburg for photography from a blind, welcome and farewell dinners, photo instruction and critiques on demand.
Single supplement fee (to have your own room): $325
Not included: Transportation costs from your home to San Antonio and return, trip cancellation insurance, medical evacuation insurance, alcoholic beverages, and items of a personal nature.