March 4-7, 2023
Whooping Canes and Wading Birds Photography Workshop
Join me for an extraordinary photography workshop in southern Texas photographing one of the rarest birds in North America along with many other wading and shorebirds on a boat designed specifically for photography.
If you are new to photographing birds or wildlife this is a great opportunity to learn, if you are experienced this is just a great opportunity.
The whooping crane is the tallest North American bird, named for its whooping sound. It is an endangered crane species. Along with the sandhill crane , it is one of only two crane species native to North America. The whooping crane’s lifespan is estimated to be 22 to 24 years in the wild. After being pushed to the brink of extinction by unregulated hunting and loss of habitat to just 21 wild and two captive whooping cranes by 1941, conservation efforts have led to a limited recovery. The total number of cranes in the surviving migratory population, plus three reintroduced flocks and in captivity, now exceeds 800 birds.
These birds forage while walking in shallow water or in fields, sometimes probing with their bills. They are omnivorous but tend to be more inclined to animal material than most other cranes. In their Texas wintering grounds, this species feeds on various crustaceans, mollusks, fish, small reptiles and aquatic plants. Blue crabs are a significant food source for whooping cranes wintering at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, constituting up to 90 percent of their energy intake.
During the workshop we will make 3 early morning boat trips.
Your tour starts at the Sea Gun Marina, then we navigate into Aransas Bay and past the Goose Island State Park. We then travel along the south shoreline of the Aransas Wildlife Refuge to the Intracoastal Waterway. Once in the Intracoastal, we enter the main body of the refuge, where you have opportunities to photograph whooping cranes as well as shorebirds.
Your tour takes you north on the Intracoastal, along the refuge, and into San Antonio Bay to the north end of the refuge; this is the turning point of the tour. The boat is at our disposal for the duration of our tour. We can stop for anything you would like to see and stay at each site as long as you wish.
We will be leaving a half hour before daylight. This allows us to be on-site with the sun coming up at our backs. This can be a great time to get flight shots when the cranes are coming out to feed. We stay on each subject until you are ready to move on. You won’t be on the boat’s schedule as you would on a larger group boat. As there is no set return time, we can sit and wait for the behavior shot you are looking for.
The shallow draft of our boat allows us to get into areas that larger boats are not able to. This also allows us to get close to the birds and have the boat sit on the bottom to make it as stable as possible.
Our charter boats are uniquely designed for photographers. The Jack Flash has three different decks at separate elevations to give you the angle of your choice. The Lady Lori has two decks at different elevations. The upper deck gets you above the grass and brush if needed.
Another great feature of both boats is they have enclosed cabins so you can take a break and relax out of the elements. The absolute best feature is the true shallow draft capability. We are able to float at a depth of 10 inches and can motor at 18 inches.
This allows you to get really close to the birds. It is not uncommon to get within 50 feet of whooping cranes and even closer for most shorebirds.
In addition to being able to photograph the magnificent Whooping Crane, we will also be visiting an Island Rookery for some great shots of nesting birds.
There will be opportunities all along our trip to photography other shore birds on sand bars and in the water.
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
Unique among North American raptors for its diet of live fish and ability to dive into water to catch them, Ospreys are common sights soaring over shorelines, patrolling waterways, and standing on their huge stick nests, white heads gleaming.
Workshop Itinerary
March 4-7, 2023
Saturday March 4
Arrive in Rockport Texas on Saturday March 4th by 5:00 pm and meet for dinner. A short presentation on photographing birds will be given and plans made for our early morning photo boat trip to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge before sunrise on Sunday.
Sunday March 5 and Monday March 6
Our boat tour will about 4-5 hours offering us plenty of time to photograph the Whooping Cranes and many other shore birds including herons, egrets, Roseate Spoonbills, Sandhill cranes, and pelicans. After we get off the boat we will go to lunch and then to a photo blind on private property for the afternoon to photograph Whooping and Sandhill Cranes, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, and whatever else shows up.
Evenings can be spent doing image processing with Adobe Lightroom Classic or photographing other locations in the area.
Tuesday March 7
This will be our final boat tour to photograph the Whooping Cranes and other shorebirds. We will end with lunch and a final wrap up review and critique session.
Sandhill Crane pairs remain together for life, and their spirited dance plays an essential role in reaffirming this bond. The stately cranes are courting, renewing an annual dance they perform in earnest as the days lengthen into spring.
Location:
We will be based in Rockport Texas for the workshop. Our boat will depart from 10 miles north of Rockport.
A boldly patterned shorebird with red-yellow eyes and a vivid red-orange bill, American Oystercatchers survive almost exclusively on shellfish—clams, oysters, and other saltwater mollusks. Because of this specialized diet, oystercatchers live only in a narrow ecological zone of saltmarshes and barrier beaches. Along much of the Pacific Coast they are replaced by the similar but all-dark Black Oystercatcher.
Cost
The workshop fee will $1295.00 per participant.
The workshop fee includes all lectures, fieldwork and critiques of your images during our sessions. This is a photography workshop, not just a photo tour, my goal is provide as much personal hands on help 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.
Instruction will be provided on an individual basis to learn how to capture birds in flight or any other assistance needed.
The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck is a boisterous duck with a brilliant pink bill and an unusual, long-legged silhouette. In places like Texas and Louisiana, watch for noisy flocks of these gaudy ducks dropping into fields to forage on seeds, or loafing on golf course ponds. Listen for them, too—these ducks really do have a whistle for their call. Common south of the U.S., Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks occur in several southern states and are expanding northward.
Workshop Policies and Information
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 a number of benefits for learning photography including:
- Immediate feedback on exposure and composition
- Immediate critique from the instructor an other participants
- Ability to do reviews and projection
- Automatically capturing all shooting information (Meta Data)
- Ability to manage work flow while still on location
The Brown Pelican is a comically elegant bird with an oversized bill, sinuous neck, and big, dark body. Squadrons glide above the surf along southern and western coasts, rising and falling in a graceful echo of the waves. They feed by plunge-diving from high up, using the force of impact to stun small fish before scooping them up. They are fairly common today—an excellent example of a species’ recovery from pesticide pollution that once placed them at the brink of extinction.
Workshop Itinerary
Changes to the Itinerary
In order 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.
What is Included
- Your workshop fees includes personal instruction by Greg throughout the workshop including image critiques and post processing instruction using Adobe Lightroom Classic.
- Transportation can be provided during the workshop.
- 3 private boat charters on specially designed boats for photography with guides who know the Whooping Cranes well.
- Access to a private photo blind.
What is Not Included
Transportation to and from the workshop, lodging, meals, incidental expenses, gratuities, and items of a personal nature are not included.
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, while others prefer camping or RV’s.
Sandhill Crane pairs remain together for life, and their spirited dance plays an essential role in reaffirming this bond. The stately cranes are courting, renewing an annual dance they perform in earnest as the days lengthen into spring.
Travel
Travel to the workshop is not included in the cost. Travel during the workshop can be provided if needed, just let me know ahead of time.
Arrangements can be made to travel to and from the workshop with Greg from Fort Smith AR. Caution this will lead to additional photo stops and add additional days to make the 650 mile trip.
Lodging
Lodging is not included in the workshop fee. We will spend 3 nights in Rockport Texas. There are numerous motels and cabins available in Rockport and the surrounding area.
Meals
Meals, drinks, and snacks are not provided, and are the responsibility of the participant. We will generally 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, (less than 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.
Named for its whooping sound, the whooping crane is the tallest North American bird. It is an endangered crane species. Along with the sandhill crane, it is one of only two crane species native to North America. The whooping crane’s lifespan is estimated to be 22 to 24 years in the wild.
After being pushed to the brink of extinction by unregulated hunting and loss of habitat to just 21 wild and two captive whooping cranes by 1941, conservation efforts have led to a limited recovery. The total number of cranes in the surviving migratory population, plus three reintroduced flocks and in captivity, now exceeds 800 birds.
Health and Physical Considerations
All participants should be in generally good health, walking and moderate climbing may be necessary in outdoor workshops and you will be responsible for carrying of your own equipment on location shoots. At Bosque del Apache there will be very little walking, most of our shooting locations are very close to where we park. At White Sands we will be walking in loose sand and minor ups and downs on the dunes.
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. Even though we are photographing from a boat a tripod will be very helpful as much of the time the boat will be beached and very stable. We will also be shooting from a stationary photo blind on private property.
I highly recommend one of the newer mirrorless cameras with animal eye focus, it is truly remarkable for wildlife photography.
Recommended equipment:
- At least one camera body, having a second is always a good idea.
- A super telephoto lens 500mm or longer
- A zoom lens in the 100-400 range for in the blind.
- More memory cards and batteries than you think you will ever need.
- Rain gear for you and your camera (just in case!)
- Wide brimmed hat.
- Sunscreen
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 $500 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 delay 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 an emergency. We cannot be responsible for phone messages and e-mails not being received in a timely matter due to your service providers.
We cannot be responsible for non-refundable airline tickets unused or other travel arrangements because of a workshop cancellation. Travel insurance is recommended if traveling long distances to attend.
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 spouses 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 sigh 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. Participant’s 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 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. Average high temps for Rockport are in the mid 70’s and lows in the mid 50’s for March.
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 if you must 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.
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.
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