Welcome to Greg Disch Photography
Wonderful images of this great United States, our natural world, scenic locations, our public lands, outdoor recreation, and other subjects fill these pages. Please take your time and enjoy your visit. I am truely interested in your comments about my work and my site.
Search for any image, just type in what you are looking for:
Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country. Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos.
Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group.
All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention you need. Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of 5 participants and will be held with a minimum of only 2.
If you are looking for a great opportunity to get personal individual instruction I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom. This is a great way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance.
Recent Posts
October 22, 2025October 2025 Newsletter
Sign up for my free email newsletter at the bottom of any page.
Keep up to date with the latest photography classes and workshops, as well as tips, articles and other information.
View Past Newsletters
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All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published. Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.
Great Places for Great Photos
Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure. I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography. I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination. I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip. I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography.
If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!
Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country. Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos.
Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group.
All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need. Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two.
If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom. This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance. [...]
October 21, 2025
Black Beach October 2025 Free Wallpaper
Black Beach is located near Silver Bay along the North Shore of Lake Superior and is definitely a site to see. This popular spot was named for the fine black sand that had resulted from taconite tailings discarded in Lake Superior many years ago.
Image is 1920 x 1080 pixels
Free Wallpaper Image
I will be offering one of my images as a free desktop wallpaper for your computer each month. I hope you enjoy the images as much as I enjoyed the opportunity to travel our great country and. take them.
How to Set Your Wallpaper or Background Picture
The downloaded file will be a compressed ZIP file, which will need to be decompressed before you can use it.
Windows 10
To unzip the file in Windows 10
Open File Explorer and find the zipped folder.
To unzip the entire folder, right-click (or press and hold) it, select Extract All, and then follow the instructions.
To unzip a single file or folder, double-click the zipped folder to open it. Then, drag or copy the item from the zipped folder to a new location.
To change your background image in Windows 10
Select the Start button, then select Settings > Personalization to choose a picture worthy of gracing your desktop background, and to change the accent color for Start, the taskbar, and other items. The preview window gives you a sneak peek of your changes as you make them.
In Background, select a picture or solid color, or create a slideshow of pictures.
Mac
To unzip the contents, follow these steps:
Click the Unzip button.
From the drop down menu, choose to unzip your files to this Mac, iCloud Drive, Dropbox or Google Drive.
A “Finder style” window will open. …
Choose to unzip the Entire Zip file or Selected Items. …
Another option is to click the New Folder button.
Here’s how you can change your Desktop picture on a Mac
From the Desktop, choose Apple→System Preferences. The System Preferences window appears. …
Click the Desktop & Screen Saver icon. The Desktop & Screen Saver Preferences pane appears.
Click a folder in the column on the left and then click a picture in the area on the right.
Previous Free Wallpaper Images
All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published. Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.
Great Places for Great Photos
Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure. I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography. I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination. I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip. I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography.
If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!
Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country. Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos.
Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group.
All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need. Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two.
If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom. This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance. [...]
October 21, 2025Split Rock Lighthouse
Split Rock Lighthouse is a lighthouse located southwest of Silver Bay, Minnesota, US on the North Shore of Lake Superior. The structure was designed by lighthouse engineer Ralph Russell Tinkham and was completed in 1910 by the United States Lighthouse Service for $75,000, including the buildings and the land. It is considered one of the most picturesque lighthouses in the United States.
Split Rock Lighthouse was built in response to the great loss of ships during the famous Mataafa Storm of 1905, during which 29 ships were lost or damaged on Lake Superior. One of these shipwrecks, the Madeira, is located just north of the lighthouse.
The lighthouse stands on a 133-foot sheer cliff eroded by wave action from a diabase sill containing inclusions of anorthosite. The octagonal building is a steel-framed brick structure with concrete trim on a concrete foundation set into the rock of the cliff. It is topped with a large, steel lantern which features a third order, bi-valve type Fresnel lens manufactured by Barbier, Bernard and Turenne Company in Paris. The tower was built for a second-order lens, but when construction went over budget, only enough funding remained for the smaller third-order lens. The lens floats on a bearing surface of liquid mercury which allows near frictionless operation. The lens is rotated by an elaborate clockwork mechanism that is powered by weights running down the center of the tower which are then reset by cranking them back to the top. When completed, the lighthouse was lit with a kerosene oil vapor lamp.
At the time of its construction, the area had no roads. All building materials and supplies arrived by water and were lifted to the top of the cliff by crane. The lamp was first lit on July 31, 1910. The lighthouse soon became a tourist attraction for sailors and excursion boats thanks to its scenic location. So much so, that in 1924 a road (now Minnesota State Highway 61) was built to allow land access.
In 1940, the station was electrified, the lamp was replaced with a 1000-watt electric bulb, and the incandescent oil vapor lamp was moved to Au Sable Point Lighthouse in Northern Michigan. Split Rock was upgraded with a fog signal housed in a building next to the light tower. The original signal was a pair of sirens driven by two Franklin 30 hp gasoline-driven air compressors manufactured by Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company. In 1932 gasoline engines were replaced with diesel engines. The steam sirens were replaced with a Type F-2-T diaphone (be-you) type signal in 1936. The station and the fog signal were electrified four years later, but discontinued in 1961.
The light was retired in 1969 by the U.S. Coast Guard. The lighthouse is now part of the Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and is operated by the Minnesota Historical Society. The site includes the original tower and lens, the fog signal building, the oil house, and the three keepers’ houses. It is restored to appear as it did in the late 1920s. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. Notwithstanding its retirement, every November 10 the lighthouse emits a light in memory of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald which sank on that date in 1975. On June 30, 2011, the lighthouse was designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Where it is:
The historic site is located 20 miles north of Two Harbors and within Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. A convenient stop off Highway 61 makes it a favorite spot for Minnesota vacationers. Hike in from your campsite or drive in from your North Shore resort!
Click map for larger view
GPS:
47°12’0.7812″ N 91°22’1.3368″ W
Hours:
October 21, 2025 – January 1, 2026
Day
Hours
Monday
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Friday
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Saturday
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Drones:
Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems are prohibited.
Cost:
Admission
Grounds Pass $8 (Free for MNHS members)
Keeper’s Tour $25/$20 for MNHS members
Children ages 4 and under Free
A State Park vehicle permit is required to view the lighthouse from the shore in the Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.
1 day permit $7
Annual permit $35
Location Contact Information:
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
3755 Split Rock Lighthouse Road
Two Harbors, MN 55616
218-595-ROCK (7625)
SplitRockLthouse.StatePark@state.mn.us
Facilities:
Picnic tables are available near the parking lot area. Food and beverages other than bottled water are not allowed on the historic site. Restrooms are available in the visitor center.
Split Rock Lighthouse Photo Gallery
Click Here for full page gallery
More Photographic Destinations in Minnesota
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page.
Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State
All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published. Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.
Great Places for Great Photos
Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure. I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography. I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination. I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip. I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography.
If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!
Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country. Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos.
Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group.
All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need. Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two.
If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom. This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance. [...]
October 20, 2025Great Blue Heron October 2025 Bird of the Month
Each month I will feature a bird that I have photographed. Not only will I show some of my photos but will also include information about the bird.
The great blue heron (Ardea herodias) is a large wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, common near the shores of open water and in wetlands over most of North and Central America, as well as far northwestern South America, the Caribbean and the Galápagos Islands.
The great blue heron is the largest heron native to North America. Among all extant herons, it is surpassed in size only by the goliath heron and the white-bellied heron. It exhibits a minor degree of sexual dimorphism; males are slightly larger than females, but otherwise the sexes are not easily outwardly distinguishable.
It has head-to-tail length of 36–54 in, a wingspan of 66–79 in, a height of 45–54 in, and a weight of 4.0–7.9 lb. Thus, great blue herons are roughly twice as heavy as great egrets, although only slightly taller than them, but they weigh only about half as much as a large goliath heron.
Notable features of great blue herons include slaty (gray with a slight azure blue) flight feathers, red-brown thighs, and a paired red-brown and black stripe up the flanks; the neck is rusty-gray, with black and white streaking down the front; the head is paler, with a nearly white face, and a pair of black or slate plumes runs from just above the eye to the back of the head.
The feathers on the lower neck are long and plume-like; it also has plumes on the lower back at the start of the breeding season. The bill is dull yellowish, becoming orange briefly at the start of the breeding season, and the lower legs are gray, also becoming orangey at the start of the breeding season. Immature birds are duller in color, with a dull blackish-gray crown, and the flank pattern is only weakly defined; they have no plumes, and the bill is dull gray-yellow. Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 16.9–19.4 in, the tail is 6.0–7.7 in, the culmen is 4.8–6.0 in, and the tarsus is 6.2–8.3 in. The heron’s stride is around 8.7 in, almost in a straight line. Two of the three front toes are generally closer together. In a track, the front toes, as well as the back, often show the small talons.
Distribution and habitat
The great blue heron is found throughout most of North America, as far north as Alaska and the southern Canadian provinces in the summer. In winter, the range extends south through Florida, Mexico, and the Caribbean to far northwestern South America. Birds east of the Rocky Mountains in the northern part of their range are migratory and winter in the coastal areas of the Southern United States, Central America, or northern South America. From the Southern United States southwards, and on the lower Pacific coast, they are year-round residents. However, their hardiness is such that individuals often remain through cold northern winters, as well, so long as fish-bearing waters remain unfrozen (which may be the case only in flowing water such as streams, creeks, and rivers).
The great blue heron can adapt to almost any wetland habitat in its range. It may be found in numbers in fresh and saltwater marshes, mangrove swamps, flooded meadows, lake edges, or shorelines. It is quite adaptable and may be seen in heavily developed areas as long as they hold bodies of fish-bearing water.
Great blue herons rarely venture far from bodies of water, but are occasionally seen flying over upland areas. They usually nest in trees or bushes near water’s edge, often on islands (which minimizes the potential for predation) or partially isolated spots.
Diet
The primary food for the great blue heron is fish. While they can prey on various sizes of fish from small fingerlings to large adult fish, measuring 24 in in length and weighing around 2.0 lb, small to medium-sized fish around 3.9–7.9 in are usually preferred. Primary prey fish is variable based on availability and abundance.
Besides fish, it is also known to feed on a wide range of prey opportunistically. Amphibians such as leopard frogs, American bullfrogs, toads and salamanders are readily taken, as well as reptiles such as small turtles, snakes and lizards. They can take on sizeable snakes, including water snakes 41 inches in length. Aquatic crustaceans (such as crayfish, shrimp and crabs), grasshoppers, dragonflies and aquatic insects are taken as supplementary prey. They also prey on small mammals including shrews, rats, ground squirrels, and moles.
Previous Bird of the Month Images
All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published. Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.
Great Places for Great Photos
Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure. I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography. I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination. I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip. I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography.
If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!
Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country. Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos.
Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group.
All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need. Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two.
If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom. This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance. [...]
October 16, 2025Fall Swamp Photography
One of my favorite photography subjects is fall swamp photography, I have been traveling to Caddo Lake, home of the largest Bald Cypress swamp for many years. Caddo Lake is a truly unique photography destination. Bald cypress trees draped with Spanish Moss tower over the maze of bayous, sloughs, lakes and ponds known as Caddo Lake and Big Cypress Bayou. Wildlife inhabiting Caddo Lake includes owls, snakes, frogs, waterfowl, bobcats, river otters, beavers, eagles, and alligators.
Autumn at Caddo Lake is characterized by deeply saturated oranges, rusts, and golds as the cypress needles begin their annual transformation, matched by shifting weather—mornings might bring fog or mist rising off the water, while afternoons are often suffused with soft, diffused light. Each combination of weather and color produces a different mood, from the contemplative solitude of a fog-shrouded morning to the lively, almost celebratory palette when the sun sets the canopy aflame.
Fall swamp photography had many photographic opportunities
Moods: golden-hour mist, low-angle sun through Spanish moss, blue‑hour silhouettes, and fog‑softened scenes.
Subjects: close-up bark and buttress roots, reflections in mirror‑calm bayous, long leading‑line trunks, wildlife action , and wide panoramic canopy shots.
Transitions: early‑morning fog to crisp mid‑day details and tonal sunsets provide complementary frames across a single outing.
Composition and Light
Foreground interest: use cypress knees, fallen logs, or knotty roots to anchor the frame and give depth.
Leading lines: channel bayous and leaning trunks to guide the eye toward a vanishing point or subject.
Negative space: embrace open water or sky to isolate birds or lone trees against simple backgrounds.
Light control: backlight Spanish moss for rim light and translucence; side light reveals bark texture; diffuse light works best for mood and to retain shadow detail.
I keep chasing those quiet, atmospheric moments that I already know at Caddo Lake. Repeated visits are exactly what builds the serendipitous, once‑in‑a‑season frames that make fall swamp photography unforgettable. Every trip out in the swamp is different, a slightly different perspective will completely change the scene, and a change in the light or sky will change the mood.
Join me this fall for your own chance to photograph this magical time and place.
Caddo Lake Fall Photography Workshop Session #1
Caddo Lake Fall Photography Workshop Session #2
Each workshop will include 4 pontoon boat outings to photograph and the opportunity to get even more up close and personal while photography from a kayak, for only $1695 per person.
All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published. Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.
Great Places for Great Photos
Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure. I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography. I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination. I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip. I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography.
If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!
Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country. Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos.
Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group.
All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need. Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two.
If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom. This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance. [...]
September 25, 2025September 2025 Newsletter
Sign up for my free email newsletter at the bottom of any page.
Keep up to date with the latest photography classes and workshops, as well as tips, articles and other information.
View Past Newsletters
Close [...]
September 24, 2025Roseate Spoonbill September 2025 Free Wallpaper
The flamboyant Roseate Spoonbill looks like it came straight out of a Dr. Seuss book with its bright pink feathers, red eye staring out from a partly bald head, and giant spoon-shaped bill. Groups sweep their spoonbills through shallow fresh or salt waters snapping up crustaceans and fish. They fly with necks outstretched, to and from foraging and nesting areas along the coastal southeastern U.S., and south to South America. These social birds nest and roost in trees and shrubs with other large wading birds.
Image is 1920 x 1080 pixels
Free Wallpaper Image
I will be offering one of my images as a free desktop wallpaper for your computer each month. I hope you enjoy the images as much as I enjoyed the opportunity to travel our great country and. take them.
How to Set Your Wallpaper or Background Picture
The downloaded file will be a compressed ZIP file, which will need to be decompressed before you can use it.
Windows 10
To unzip the file in Windows 10
Open File Explorer and find the zipped folder.
To unzip the entire folder, right-click (or press and hold) it, select Extract All, and then follow the instructions.
To unzip a single file or folder, double-click the zipped folder to open it. Then, drag or copy the item from the zipped folder to a new location.
To change your background image in Windows 10
Select the Start button, then select Settings > Personalization to choose a picture worthy of gracing your desktop background, and to change the accent color for Start, the taskbar, and other items. The preview window gives you a sneak peek of your changes as you make them.
In Background, select a picture or solid color, or create a slideshow of pictures.
Mac
To unzip the contents, follow these steps:
Click the Unzip button.
From the drop down menu, choose to unzip your files to this Mac, iCloud Drive, Dropbox or Google Drive.
A “Finder style” window will open. …
Choose to unzip the Entire Zip file or Selected Items. …
Another option is to click the New Folder button.
Here’s how you can change your Desktop picture on a Mac
From the Desktop, choose Apple→System Preferences. The System Preferences window appears. …
Click the Desktop & Screen Saver icon. The Desktop & Screen Saver Preferences pane appears.
Click a folder in the column on the left and then click a picture in the area on the right.
Previous Free Wallpaper Images
All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published. Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.
Great Places for Great Photos
Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure. I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography. I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination. I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip. I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography.
If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!
Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country. Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos.
Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group.
All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need. Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two.
If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom. This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance. [...]
September 24, 2025Florida Spring Bird Photography Workshop
April 6-10, 2026 (limited to 4 participants)
Join me for a 5 day photography dream trip to photograph some of Americas most beautiful birds in some of the best locations in Florida. We will have the opportunity to photograph Nesting birds from close distance without disturbing them. In addition we will be able to photograph alligators in the wild and the Manatee or Sea Cow as they are sometimes called.
If you are new to photographing birds or wildlife this is a fantastic opportunity to learn, if you are experienced this is just a wonderful opportunity. This workshop will give you the chance to perfect your bird in flight photography.
Also included in the workshop will be a 2 boat photography tours.
We will have a two hour adventure photographing on the St. Johns River! The St. Johns River is rich in history and wildlife. Keeping in mind that we will be traveling in the wild and sightings change greatly from day to day, common things to see on the river include wading birds, manatees, aquatic plant life, cypress forests, and alligators.
Our second boat tour will a private pontoon boat tour to photograph Osprey on Blue Cypress Lake. This magnificent lake is approximately seven miles long and three miles wide with 21miles of shoreline surrounded by 29,000 acres of marshes, swamps and cypress forests. It’s a place of complete surrender to Mother Nature as blue skies give way to blue-hued water which some say occur because of the reflection of the Blue Cypress trees on the lake as the morning sun rises into the sky. The lake is also a top Osprey nesting site reporting over 200 nests along the shoreline.
Sandhill Cranes
Tall and loud, sandhill cranes are pleasing to see when they travel to Florida. While some remain in the state year-round, most migrate here during the winter, where they flock together in marshes and prairies. Keep an ear out for their bugling call, a distinct clue that these cranes are nearby.
t. Augustine Alligator Farm
We will be spending a day photographing at the rookery during the peak of nesting season allowing us to get great photos of baby birds in the nest without disturbing them.
This famous wading bird rookery provides a great day out for birders, photographers, tourists and families. Thanks to the resident alligators, wading birds like Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets, Wood Storks and Tricolored Herons have long nested above the gator ponds. Why? Because the giant reptiles provide the birds with protection from raiders like raccoons, who would eat the eggs and chicks in their nests. Boardwalks wind through the rookery, giving great up-close looks at the adult birds, their nests and their prehistoric looking chicks! The birds are very habituated to people on the boardwalks and as a result disturbance is not an issue.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1963 for the protection of migratory birds. Consisting of 140,000 acres, the refuge provides a wide variety of habitats: coastal dunes, saltwater marshes, managed impoundments, scrub, pine flatwoods, and hardwood hammocks. These habitats provide habitat for more than 1,500 species of plants and animals and 15 federally listed species.
Merritt Island NWR is one of Florida’s premier birding sites with more than 330 recorded species. We will travel the the world-renowned 7-mile Black Point Wildlife Drive (an auto tour loop). We will be able to stop and get out of the vehicle to photograph anywhere along the route.
A scarce Glossy Ibis at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
A Reddish Egret at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Topics that we will cover during the workshop include:
Focus settings
Birds in flight
How to obtain tack sharp images
Manual vs Auto Exposure
Bird Behavior
Composition
Special techniques – blur, silhouettes, panning
All classroom type editing instruction will be done with Adobe Lightroom Classic, however the techniques can be applied using other software.
About the Workshop
Our workshops are based on digital photography, the assistance that I can provide and the immediate feedback of digital make “in the field” workshops one of the most effective teaching formats available. Whether finding the correct exposure, looking through the viewfinder for the perfect composition, or learning how to use the equipment, you can’t beat real world experience. Classes are kept small, it’s all about personal, individual attention. Digital offers several benefits for learning photography including:
Immediate feedback on exposure and composition
Immediate critique from the instructor and other participants
Ability to do reviews and projection
Automatically capturing all shooting information (Meta Data)
Ability to manage workflow while still on location
Workshop Itinerary
Changes to the Itinerary
Our planned meeting times and locations will be given to attendees before the start of the workshop.
To offer the best experience possible for the workshop participants we reserve the right to alter the itinerary when our judgment warrants it. This could be due to unforeseen circumstances, closures, weather, or other conditions beyond our control. We may also alter due to new or unexpected photographic opportunities that may arise.
Proposed Itinerary
During this workshop we will have a great deal of flexibility and optimize our time spent photographing with time processing and evaluating our images. We may change the itinerary due to weather or wishes of the group.
We will spend 4 nights in Titusville Florida Checking out early on Friday Morning and Heading to St. Augustine where we will spend the day photographing concluding in the late afternoon.
Workshop Policies and Information
Cost
The workshop fee will be $1595.00 per participant, there will be a minimum of 2 participants.
What is Included
This is a teaching workshop not just a photo tour. We will have classroom time for instruction, processing images, and critique your work. Workshop fees include full instruction and two photography boat tours.
What is Not Included
Transportation to and from the workshop, lodging, meals, incidental expenses, gratuities, and items of a personal nature are not included. Admission fees to any of the other attractions or sites in St. Augustine are not included and are optional. My philosophy on lodging and meals is that by not including them in the workshop each participant is free to choose their own level of accommodation and choice of meals. I have some participants stay in high end motels or Air BnB’s, while others prefer camping or RV’s.
We will photograph birds and other wildlife including alligators from some of the best locations in Florida. This will mean will have some days that we will be traveling over two hours one way by car. Although transportation is not provided as a part of the workshop, we will carpool and you will not need a car for the workshop.
Lodging:
Lodging is not included in the workshop we will be basing the workshop out of Titusville Florida where you will need to make arrangements for 4 nights lodging.
Meals
Meals, drinks, and snacks are not provided, and are the responsibility of the participant. We will plan to eat as a group, but you are free to eat on your own if you wish.
Group Size
I like to keep my group size small, (about half of most other workshop instructors) this provides for a high degree of personal attention and a great amount of flexibility in making the workshop the best possible experience for the participants. This workshop is limited to a maximum of 4 participants and a minimum of 2.
Health and Physical Considerations
All participants should be in good health, walking and moderate climbing may be necessary in outdoor workshops, and you will be responsible for carrying your own equipment on location shoots. At Bosque del Apache there will be little walking, most of our shooting locations are close to where we park.
If you are taking any medications, be sure to bring a supply sufficient for the duration of the workshop. If you have any concern about your ability to participate in a workshop, please contact us before registering.
Equipment Needed
To get the most from the workshop you should have a Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) or mirrorless camera, tripod and an assortment of lenses. That being said, it is the photographer not the camera that creates the photo. A good sturdy tripod is recommended, and a minimum of 200 mm lens with 400mm or more would be recommended. There are many opportunities for landscape and wide-angle wildlife and bird shots as well.
You may want a laptop computer to use during editing sessions, remember to bring all software, drivers, cords, camera manuals, chargers, and extra batteries when attending any workshop.
Registration, Payment, and Refund Policy
You can register any way you like, just so I get your information, you can use the online registration, the contact form, email, postal mail, or call me on the phone (479-414-6889) either to register or just ask a question. Registration is done on a first come basis, so register early to secure your space. A deposit of $300 is required to reserve your space, and full payment is due 30 days prior to the workshop. Enrollment is limited in our workshops, so once you have been accepted your participation is important to us – we are counting on you to attend. If you must withdraw from a course, we must receive written notice of your cancellation, and then apply the following refund policy: We do not make refunds on workshop fees. We do not make partial refunds for unused portions or services of a workshop for any reason whatsoever. If we are able to fill your space in the workshop, we will give full credit towards another workshop. If we are not able to fill your space, we will issue 50% credit towards a future workshop. If there are openings, I will accept last minute registrations when possible.
We can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delays or changes in the services to be provided. We reserve the right to change our arrangements should conditions necessitate, or to cancel any aspect of the workshop due to exceptional circumstances.
In the unlikely event that we need to cancel a workshop we will refund all monies paid in full. Notification of our cancellation will be made via either a telephone call or an e-mail to you at least 14 days prior to the beginning of a workshop other than in an emergency. We cannot be responsible for phone messages and e-mails not being received in a timely manner due to your service providers. We cannot be responsible for non-refundable airline tickets unused or other travel arrangements because of a workshop cancellation. All workshops have a minimum participation level which must be met, or the workshop may be canceled.
Non-Photographer (Spouse, significant other, or friend)
We welcome companions to join you on the workshop experience however “workshop activities” are limited to registered, paid attendees. You may have a non-photographer accompany you to all activities, but they must pay for the workshop. If they wish to accompany you on the trip but not attend the workshop activities, but stay with you, finding other activities during the day, and meet for meals and social type events that is perfectly acceptable.
Liability Waiver
All participants will be required to sign a liability waiver before beginning a workshop. As there is always an element of risk in any adventure associated with the outdoors, participants must read the liability release form carefully. Participants signed/dated release will certify that said participant is physically fit and capable of participating in outdoor photography exercises in field locations and is fully and completely aware of any associated risks created by field locations and weather.
Weather
The more the better, at least as far as the photography goes. Workshops will not be canceled, and no refunds will be made due to the weather, we will not be responsible for any additional costs that may be incurred by weather delays or cancellations due to weather, flight delays, or other. Participants should come to the workshop prepared for all weather conditions. This time of year, in New Mexico can be well below freezing or very warm, be prepared for both. Chances are it will be very cold during the predawn hours.
Trip Extensions
We may be able to extend your trip in the area if you would like more time and personal instruction. Please contact us for more information and rates before the workshop.
Smoking
We prefer that you do not smoke, however, please abide by the following guidelines. Smoking is not allowed in or near vehicles, during instructional sessions, during group meals, or at other times when in close quarters with other workshop participants. [...]
August 21, 2025Florida Birding Photography Workshop
January 5-9 (limited to 4 participants)
Join me for a 5 day photography dream trip to photograph some of Americas most beautiful birds in some of the best locations in Florida. We will have the opportunity to photograph migrating birds from close distance without disturbing them. In addition we will be able to photograph alligators in the wild and the Manatee or Sea Cow as they are sometimes called.
If you are new to photographing birds or wildlife this is a fantastic opportunity to learn, if you are experienced this is just a wonderful opportunity. This workshop will give you the chance to perfect your bird in flight photography.
Some of the birds that winter in florida include:
Also included in the workshop will be a 2 boat photography tours.
We will have a two hour adventure photographing on the St. Johns River! The St. Johns River is rich in history and wildlife. Keeping in mind that we will be traveling in the wild and sightings change greatly from day to day, common things to see on the river include wading birds, manatees, aquatic plant life, cypress forests, and alligators.
Manatees
Probably Florida’s most famous winter wanderer, manatees can be found in Florida year-round but are much easier to spot in the winter. That’s because as water temperatures drop, manatees seek out springs, where they can stay warm. Spring water is near 72 degrees all year, kept at a consistent temperature underground before bursting out of spring vents. Without warm spring water, many manatees would freeze, making healthy springs essential for their survival.
During manatee season (November through March), Blue Spring State Park is a winter haven as manatees seek warmer 72-degree spring water.
Sandhill Cranes
Tall and loud, sandhill cranes are pleasing to see when they travel to Florida. While some remain in the state year-round, most migrate here during the winter, where they flock together in marshes and prairies. Keep an ear out for their bugling call, a distinct clue that these cranes are nearby.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1963 for the protection of migratory birds. Consisting of 140,000 acres, the refuge provides a wide variety of habitats: coastal dunes, saltwater marshes, managed impoundments, scrub, pine flatwoods, and hardwood hammocks. These habitats provide habitat for more than 1,500 species of plants and animals and 15 federally listed species.
Merritt Island NWR is one of Florida’s premier birding sites with more than 330 recorded species. We will travel the the world-renowned 7-mile Black Point Wildlife Drive (an auto tour loop). We will be able to stop and get out of the vehicle to photograph anywhere along the route.
A scarce Glossy Ibis at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
A Reddish Egret at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Topics that we will cover during the workshop include:
Focus settings
Birds in flight
How to obtain tack sharp images
Manual vs Auto Exposure
Bird Behavior
Composition
Special techniques – blur, silhouettes, panning
All classroom type editing instruction will be done with Adobe Lightroom Classic, however the techniques can be applied using other software.
About the Workshop
Our workshops are based on digital photography, the assistance that I can provide and the immediate feedback of digital make “in the field” workshops one of the most effective teaching formats available. Whether finding the correct exposure, looking through the viewfinder for the perfect composition, or learning how to use the equipment, you can’t beat real world experience. Classes are kept small, it’s all about personal, individual attention. Digital offers several benefits for learning photography including:
Immediate feedback on exposure and composition
Immediate critique from the instructor and other participants
Ability to do reviews and projection
Automatically capturing all shooting information (Meta Data)
Ability to manage workflow while still on location
Workshop Itinerary
Changes to the Itinerary
Our planned meeting times and locations will be given to attendees before the start of the workshop.
To offer the best experience possible for the workshop participants we reserve the right to alter the itinerary when our judgment warrants it. This could be due to unforeseen circumstances, closures, weather, or other conditions beyond our control. We may also alter due to new or unexpected photographic opportunities that may arise.
Proposed Itinerary
During this workshop we will have a great deal of flexibility and optimize our time spent photographing with time processing and evaluating our images. We may change the itinerary due to weather or wishes of the group.
Workshop Policies and Information
Cost
The workshop fee will be $1595.00 per participant.
What is Included
This is a teaching workshop not just a photo tour. We will have classroom time for instruction, processing images, and critique your work. Workshop fees include full instruction and two photography boat tours.
What is Not Included
Transportation to and from the workshop, lodging, meals, incidental expenses, gratuities, and items of a personal nature are not included. Admission fees to any of the other attractions or sites in St. Augustine are not included and are optional. My philosophy on lodging and meals is that by not including them in the workshop each participant is free to choose their own level of accommodation and choice of meals. I have some participants stay in high end motels or Air BnB’s, while others prefer camping or RV’s.
We will photograph birds and other wildlife including alligators and manatees from some of the best locations in Florida. This will mean will have some days that we will be traveling over two hours one way by car. Although transportation is not provided as a part of the workshop, we will carpool and you will not need a car for the workshop.
Lodging:
Lodging is not included in the workshop we will be basing the workshop out of Titusville Florida where you will need to make arrangements for 4 nights lodging.
Meals
Meals, drinks, and snacks are not provided, and are the responsibility of the participant. We will plan to eat as a group, but you are free to eat on your own if you wish.
Group Size
I like to keep my group size small, (about half of most other workshop instructors) this provides for a high degree of personal attention and a great amount of flexibility in making the workshop the best possible experience for the participants. This workshop is limited to a maximum of 4 participants.
Health and Physical Considerations
All participants should be in good health, walking and moderate climbing may be necessary in outdoor workshops, and you will be responsible for carrying your own equipment on location shoots. At Bosque del Apache there will be little walking, most of our shooting locations are close to where we park.
If you are taking any medications, be sure to bring a supply sufficient for the duration of the workshop. If you have any concern about your ability to participate in a workshop, please contact us before registering.
Equipment Needed
To get the most from the workshop you should have a Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) or mirrorless camera, tripod and an assortment of lenses. That being said, it is the photographer not the camera that creates the photo. A good sturdy tripod is recommended, and a minimum of 200 mm lens with 400mm or more would be recommended. There are many opportunities for landscape and wide-angle wildlife and bird shots as well.
You may want a laptop computer to use during editing sessions, remember to bring all software, drivers, cords, camera manuals, chargers, and extra batteries when attending any workshop.
Registration, Payment, and Refund Policy
You can register any way you like, just so I get your information, you can use the online registration, the contact form, email, postal mail, or call me on the phone (479-414-6889) either to register or just ask a question. Registration is done on a first come basis, so register early to secure your space. A deposit of $300 is required to reserve your space, and full payment is due 30 days prior to the workshop. Enrollment is limited in our workshops, so once you have been accepted your participation is important to us – we are counting on you to attend. If you must withdraw from a course, we must receive written notice of your cancellation, and then apply the following refund policy: We do not make refunds on workshop fees. We do not make partial refunds for unused portions or services of a workshop for any reason whatsoever. If we are able to fill your space in the workshop, we will give full credit towards another workshop. If we are not able to fill your space, we will issue 50% credit towards a future workshop. If there are openings, I will accept last minute registrations when possible.
We can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delays or changes in the services to be provided. We reserve the right to change our arrangements should conditions necessitate, or to cancel any aspect of the workshop due to exceptional circumstances.
In the unlikely event that we need to cancel a workshop we will refund all monies paid in full. Notification of our cancellation will be made via either a telephone call or an e-mail to you at least 14 days prior to the beginning of a workshop other than in an emergency. We cannot be responsible for phone messages and e-mails not being received in a timely manner due to your service providers. We cannot be responsible for non-refundable airline tickets unused or other travel arrangements because of a workshop cancellation. All workshops have a minimum participation level which must be met, or the workshop may be canceled.
Non-Photographer (Spouse, significant other, or friend)
We welcome companions to join you on the workshop experience however “workshop activities” are limited to registered, paid attendees. You may have a non-photographer accompany you to all activities, but they must pay for the workshop. If they wish to accompany you on the trip but not attend the workshop activities, but stay with you, finding other activities during the day, and meet for meals and social type events that is perfectly acceptable.
Liability Waiver
All participants will be required to sign a liability waiver before beginning a workshop. As there is always an element of risk in any adventure associated with the outdoors, participants must read the liability release form carefully. Participants signed/dated release will certify that said participant is physically fit and capable of participating in outdoor photography exercises in field locations and is fully and completely aware of any associated risks created by field locations and weather.
Weather
The more the better, at least as far as the photography goes. Workshops will not be canceled, and no refunds will be made due to the weather, we will not be responsible for any additional costs that may be incurred by weather delays or cancellations due to weather, flight delays, or other. Participants should come to the workshop prepared for all weather conditions. This time of year, in New Mexico can be well below freezing or very warm, be prepared for both. Chances are it will be very cold during the predawn hours.
Trip Extensions
We may be able to extend your trip in the area if you would like more time and personal instruction. Please contact us for more information and rates before the workshop.
Smoking
We prefer that you do not smoke, however, please abide by the following guidelines. Smoking is not allowed in or near vehicles, during instructional sessions, during group meals, or at other times when in close quarters with other workshop participants. [...]
Workshops and Classes
Complete photography workshop information, including schedules, and individual outlines are found within the Workshops section.
Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group.
All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention you need.
My workshops and classes are designed around the students needs, with a hands on approach.I provide a photography workshop, not just a photo tour, my goal is provide you with as much personal hands on assistance as possible. I will check with each participant to see how you are doing and if you need help, if you wish for assistance let me know, if not just let me know, and you will be free to shoot on your own. I am more than willing to look through your viewfinder or at your LCD to check your images and offer constructive critique.
Current Workshops and Classes
Photographic Destinations
I will be posting an ongoing project I call “Photographic Destinations”.
Great Places for Great Photos
Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure. I will list many lesser known destinations, as well as the famous “Icon Locations” for photography. I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination. I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip. I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to insure a quality guide to great locations for photography.
If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!
Stock Photo Galleries
Search from thousands of images in my online galleries I am excited to be able to offer my images available for browsing or purchase.
- Browse Images
- Create and Save Personal Lightboxes
- Purchase Licensing Rights
- Download High Resolution Files
- Download Personal Use Files
- Order Prints
Home
July 4, 2010