We are dedicated to making your osprey & roseate spoonbill photography workshop & tour the best possible experience you can have.
Finally look forward to doing something during spring! Go somewhere warm!! You will spend your time photographing osprey & roseate spoonbills near Vero Beach & Blue Cypress Lake in Florida, both are the best places in the United States for diving & nesting osprey and roseate spoonbills.
Our ultimate goal is to go beyond the expected and deliver stunning results!!
Want to spend April or May somewhere warm? Spend it in Florida, alongside an award-winning photographer, photographing diving and nesting osprey. Whether you are photographing the osprey diving into the ocean to catch fish in the Atlantic Ocean, or bringing fish to the chicks in the nest near Blue Cypress Lake. There are also opportunities to see other wildlife such as terns, egrets, herons, sandpipers, black skimmers, pelicans, and more.
During the height of nesting season there are over 1000 birds packed into a small area of shoreline. As the birds come back to the nest to share the catch, you will have ample opportunities to capture flying shots, landing shots, and feeding shots. The nests are located fairly low, and you will have unbelievable backgrounds for your photographs. This is one of the few spots where you can photograph osprey nests on trees, instead of man-made poles.
In Southern Florida, Osprey breed from late November through March, which is about a month earlier than osprey across the state. The female incubates eggs for about 37 days and broods the young chicks continually until about two week. When the chicks hatch they will weigh approximately 50 - 60g (1.8 - 2.1 lbs) and will fully develop 8 - 10 weeks. The hatchlings have a 50% chance of survival.
One morning will be spent photographing the Roseate Spoonbill. This is the best land-based session for spoonbills, which are designated as “threatened” in Florida. The spoonbill rookery is located on a small island, easily photographed from shore. The birds fly by to pick up nesting material, offering many opportunities for spectacular flight shots and landings.
If you are opting to add additional days, we can visit other places to see other wildlife such as: alligators, burrowing owls, great horned owl, eastern screech owl, sandhill cranes, herons (ie. great blue herons, little blue herons, green herons), egrets (ie. cattle egrets, great egrets, snowy egrets), limpkins, anhingas, cormorants, terns, sandpipers, snakes, turtles, and countless other wildlife.
Please contact us to discuss other wildlife sighting opportunities!
On this photography workshop & tour, designed for photographers of all levels, you will focus on producing unique osprey & roseate spoonbill imagery while sharpening your photographic mindset and skills. There are opportunities to photograph other birds & wildlife as well.
This osprey & roseate spoonbill photography tour is not limited to photographers. Anyone interested in seeing osprey & roseate spoonbills up-close are welcome to join the tour. Camera phones are acceptable for travel companions, but consumer photography gear is not. Travel companions will pay only $500. Due to the proximity to wildlife, pets are not allowed on the photography workshop. Thank you for understanding.
Tour groups are limited to 3 people. The small group size will allow everyone plenty of room for personal space and photographic gear. It will also allow plenty of time for One-on-One photographic workshop instruction. Photographers of all levels of experience are welcomed.
Groups of 3 or more can be accommodated and should contact me directly to make reservations.
Private workshops or tours are also an option. Message for details.
Sample Itinerary
• Arrive Sunday afternoon/night in Vero Beach, FL
• Depart hotel prior to sunrise
• Morning session of photography
• Extended lunch break during harsh light
• Afternoon session of photography
• Travel back to hotel
• Dinner
• Meet for review of photography and group discussion if desired, or free time
• Fly out on Wednesday night, or later if opting to add additional days to see other wildlife or rocket launches from Kennedy Space Center
What is not included:
• Travel arrangements to/from Vero Beach, FL
• Hotel Accommodations
• Meals
• Photography gear
• Travel insurance
• Hotel incidentals and sundries
Amazing discount for 2 or more in the group, or combining with another tour.
A group of 2 - 3 photographers is only an additional $750 for each photographer over the single photographer rate. I don't charge full price for each additional photographer in your group like other guides. I don't think it is right to do so for groups. Groups larger than 3 will have additional discounts applied.
Plus, I give a $250 off coupon for 1 photographer, or a $500 off coupon for 2 photographers, if you attend another workshop.
★ 3 full days of photographing osprey, spoonbills, plus other birds and various wildlife
★ 1 morning session or 1 afternoon session on a pontoon getting close-up flight shots to/from the nest
★ 1 morning session photographing the roseate spoonbill after the pontoon ride
★ Morning sessions and afternoon sessions photographing diving osprey
★ Airport transfer to/from Orlando Melbourne International (MLB) Airport
★ Daily transportation to/from your hotel in Vero Beach area or Melbourne area to photography sites
★ Professional instruction before, during and after daily photography excursions
★ Group photography discussion and review
★ Tours are rain or shine
★ Private tours are an option. Contact for details.
To reserve a place on the Tour, a 50% deposit is required at the time of reservation. As lined out in the Tour Terms, full payment will be due on or before 120 days from the Tour commencement date. Your deposit is non-transferable and refundable up to 120 days prior to the Tour commencement date. The Total Payment is due in full at least 120 days from the Tour commencement date (the “Payment Due Date”).
Our focus is capturing images of osprey and roseate spoonbills at the best locations in the United States. Join us for this one-of-a-kind photographic adventure!
RECOMMENDED PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT:
A more comprehensive list is sent after registration.
CLOTHING RECOMMENDATIONS:
Your Osprey & Roseate Spoonbill workshop or tour will take place during spring months, and we recommend following the guidelines for appropriate spring & summer clothing.
A more comprehensive list is sent after registration.
FLIGHT OPTIONS:
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Please use the Contact Form below to receive an email with current availability for each month, or if you have any other questions.
Once we have finalized the dates of your workshop or tour, then you can click on the link I will email you for Tour Registration, or you can visit this page again and click on the button below.
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