TEXAS BIRDS WORKSHOP
May 14 - 17, 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 olive sparrows, crested caracaras, green jays, greater kiskadees, thrashers, black-crested titmouse, flycatchers, northern cardinals, Harris's hawk, turkey vultures, and painted buntings. 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 14, Wednesday
Fly to McAllen, Texas, and take a taxi to our hotel. Meet Jim in the lobby at 6pm for a discussion about the upcoming workshop. Here Jim will share with you his camera settings for capturing birds in flight, and then we'll enjoy a welcome dinner. Overnight in Edinburg.
Day 2 - 4, May 15 - 17, Thursday - Saturday
For the next 3 days we have morning and late afternoon photo sessions on a private ranch. We photograph from several blinds in the Rio Grande Valley on private land, the 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 native 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
After breakfast we have our last morning session at Laguna Seca Ranch, and then the photography is over. Jim will drive you to the airport. You can make your homeward bound flight reservations from 1pm onward.
A week or so after the workshop, Jim will conduct an online critique session where we can share what we shot. Jim will offer his thoughts on your images and make Photoshop suggestions, if necessary, to make already good pictures better.
Workshop cost: $2950. Includes 3 nights lodging based on double occupancy, access to a private ranch in Edinburg for photography from several natural looking blinds, 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 McAllen and return, trip cancellation insurance, medical evacuation insurance, alcoholic beverages, and items of a personal nature.