A Personalized Approach to Osprey & Roseate Spoonbill Photography Workshops & Tours

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. Or add additional days to photograph the rocket launches, if available!

Please contact us to discuss other wildlife sighting opportunities or to discuss the available rocket launch schedule!

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.

Why Choose 7 Foot Photographer?

• Pay less for more! This workshop goes to many of the same locations as a YouTuber from the area. My workshop is $1250 for 3 full days of photography. His workshop is $2000 for 2 partial days of photography, two morning sessions and two evening sessions.
• Be able to photograph other Florida wildlife between 9am and 3pm, instead of just an AM and PM session.
• Since I am close to 7 foot tall, I can provide shade for you.
• Add additional days of photography
• Add additional days to photograph a rocket launch, if available.
• Add additional days for the burrowing owls!!!!

Highlights

★ A unique photography experience
★ A chance to photograph osprey and roseate spoonbill up-close
★ Small group size to allow for individual instruction
★ Additional days may be added to any photography tour. The rate is dependent upon how many photographers are in your group.
★ A portion of the proceeds from each photography tour is donated to help protect osprey & roseate spoonbills. The donation will be made in my late brother‘s name.
★ We have spent 2 decades scouting locations to help maximize the time spent taking pictures. All osprey and roseate spoonbill are wild, and as such, no guarantee can be made that osprey or roseate spoonbill will be present. However, every time we have had a tour, we have seen dozens of osprey and roseate spoonbill in multiple locations!!
★ Participants should meet for pickup at the Orlando Melbourne International Airport (MLB) in Melbourne, Florida, located just 40 miles from hotels in Vero Beach, FL. Pick up and drop off at other airports in Orlando (MCO) or (SFB) or West Palm Beach (PBI) can be arranged for a nominal fee.

Sample Itinerary

• Arrive Sunday afternoon/night in Vero Beach, FL
• Depart hotel prior to sunrise
• Full Morning of photography
• A quick lunch
• Full Afternoon of photography until sunset
• Travel back to hotel
• Dinner on the way back to the hotel, pick up carryout, walk to a restaurant, or order something for delivery. Your choice.
• 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 included:

★ 3 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 nests
★ 1 morning session photographing the roseate spoonbill after the pontoon ride
★ Morning sessions and afternoon sessions photographing diving osprey near Vero Beach
★ Airport transfer to/from Orlando Melbourne International (MLB) Airport
★ Daily transportation to/from your hotel in the Vero Beach / Melbourne area to photography sites
★ Professional instruction before, during and after daily photography excursions
★ Group photography discussion and review
★ Tours are rain or shine

What is not included:
• Travel arrangements to/from Vero Beach, FL
• Hotel Accommodations
• Meals
• Photography gear
• Travel insurance
• Hotel incidentals and sundries

What to expect after registering:

• After your deposit is processed, you will receive a Booking Confirmation Email that has Hotel Information, including discount codes and direct links, as well as Airport Information and Meal Information
• 120 days prior to the workshop, the remaining amount is due, and you will receive the 120 Day Email that includes Things to Bring, Airport Pick up Information, as well as my Warm Weather Photography Checklist
• 30 days prior to the workshop, you will receive the 30 Day Email that includes What to Pack, Travelling with Photography Gear, and Pick up Information again.
• 3 days prior to the workshop, you will receive a quick email to touch base that includes the Airport Pick up Information, and my Contact Information, again.