Patagonia Pumas and Peaks with Jeff Parker

This is the experience I wrote about in the April 2018 issue of Outdoor Photographer magazine.

We photograph WILD, free-ranging animals — not captive cats, not game farm animals; the real deal thriving in their own world, interacting with one another and sometimes their prey.

Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park and the private acreage surrounding it are home to a healthy — and photogenic — population of pumas (called mountain lions or cougars in the US).

This tour takes place in the Southern Hemisphere in autumn, which should make for some great landscape shots as well. That said, with its dramatic grasslands, lakes, and towering peaks this place is GORGEOUS no matter when you visit!

~~ Limited to six (6) ~ all-inclusive (double-occupancy; limited singles available for additional cost)
~~ More info at: https://exploreinfocus.com/joinme/pumas-patagonia-photo-tour

Ecuador Birds with Jeff Parker

During this “Ecuador Hummingbirds & More Photo Tour ~ 2020” the focus will be on the winged wildlife of this amazingly biodiverse little nation.

We’ll do lots of multi-flash hummingbird photography as we focus our lenses on these neotropic jewels. I’ll provide the equipment & backgrounds & other items needed to get great hummer shots — all you need is your camera (with a hotshoe) and a lens.

The small group size (max 8) assures that everyone gets a chance to use the hummingbird photography set-ups to their hearts’ content.

Hummingbirds are just part of what we’ll discover in these foothills of Ecuador’s Chocó region. This area also hosts a bonanza of beautiful tanagers. We’ll also photograph motmots, toucans, manakins, euphonias & the improbable looking Cock-of-the-Rock. A visit to an Oilbird roost will also help you fill memory cards!

Limited to eight (8); All-inclusive (double-occupancy)
MORE INFO: https://exploreinfocus.com/joinme/ecuador-photo-tour-with-jeff-parker/

Kenya with Jeff Wendorff

Africa, what a place! I’ve been visited 17 times and last year I spent more days in Africa than I did in my apartment, and she never disappoints. If you are like me; you grew up watching Tarzan, loved the circus and the zoo, Marlin Perkins was a hero, Hatari was an incredible movie, and you dreamt of being in Africa. I can assure you that the real thing is even more amazing than you have imagined. I love this Kenya Safari! I’ve done this exact safari 4 times and can’t wait to share that with you! Once you experience a Kenya Safari, you will love it too! And of course, You Will Be Amazed!

I am so excited to be going back for a Kenya Safari in the “green” season. It is the most beautiful time of the year and the plains are a verdant green and not the browns of fall. We will visit the stunning Amboseli National Park, and if the “shy mountain” Kilimanjaro allows, we’ll see vast herds of elephants along with that iconic peak. From there we continue our safari and explore the fabulous Masai Mara National Park. We’ll be looking for the Big Five (elephant, rhino, leopard, lion, and buffalo) and everything in between. And that is just the highlights!

Kenya Safari Highlights
12 Nights and 13 Days
Two Private Safari Vehicles
Small Group – 6 Clients MAX
Masai Mara, and Amboseli Parks

Yellowstone Winter Wildlife with Cindy Goeddel

Winter Wildlife Galore! Yes, this is absolutely the best Yellowstone Winter Wildlife Photography Workshop. An all-inclusive FIRST CLASS package, this intense photography workshop includes meals, lodging and all the instruction you desire. Dial your mode to M and start exposing perfectly for wild subjects in snow. We will spend 3 days photographing the wildlife of the Lamar Valley and 4 days photographing deep in the interior of Yellowstone. Although we will see and photograph many scenic wonders on our journey, we will spend the majority of our time photographing winter wildlife. Each morning we will depart before 7:00 am and will not return until dark. A box lunch and snacks will be provided each day. Our private coaches and vehicles allow us to stay on location for extended periods and to maximize each wildlife encounter. In the evenings we will continue to eat and breathe photography! Settle into your comfy room, as we stay all 7 nights at the Best Western Hotel in Gardiner Montana, from where we can access both Lamar and Hayden Valleys.

Our privately chartered 12 passenger snow-coaches will carry just four photographers each. We will have complete freedom to travel to different areas of the interior depending on recent wildlife sightings and weather. Perhaps Hayden Valley for fox, otter, ermine, bison and trumpeter swan; or the Madison River for bobcat, bull elk and fishing coyotes. We have 4 full days to photograph wildlife in the interior among stunning wintery backgrounds.

On the Lamar Valley days we may expect to see bighorn sheep, pronghorn, moose, fox, mule deer, bull elk, ermine, wolves and eagles.

Wildlife photographed last year during January included: wolves, bobcat, ermine, coyote, trumpeter swan, otter, bison, fox, bull elk, pronghorn, moose, bighorn sheep, mule deer, marten, bald eagle, golden eagle, and lots of waterfowl.

Yellowstone Winter Wildlife with Cindy Goeddel

On the Lamar Valley days we may expect to see bighorn sheep, pronghorn, moose, fox, mule deer, bull elk, ermine, wolves and eagles.

Wildlife photographed last year during January included: wolves, ermine, coyote, trumpeter swan, bobcat, otter, bison, fox, bull elk, pronghorn, moose, bighorn sheep, mule deer, marten, bald eagle, golden eagle, and lots of waterfowl.

Great Smoky Mountains with Jason Eldridge

The Great Smoky Mountains contain sweeping panoramic views of ancient mountains, rushing streams, cascading waterfalls, and old growth hardwood forests. These are each wonderful sites to behold and represent just a hint of the photographic opportunities that await. Come join us as we explore this unique ecosystem with cameras in hand. I will be right there beside you to provide photographic recommendations and instruction.

Monday night, October 21st, we will all meet at the Trailhead Steakhouse restaurant in Townsend, TN for an orientation and to go over the itinerary for the following three days as well as get a sense of what each of you is looking for out of the workshop. The October 21st welcome dinner is on me.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday will be filled, sunrise to sunset, with photographic opportunities as we explore the Foothills Parkway, Cades Cove, Greenbrier, Clingman’s Dome and more. Each day there will be an opportunity to look at what you have captured and receive post processing instruction. Finally, after photographing sunrise in the Foothills Parkway we will meet for a recap and a final breakfast as everyone leaves on their own. This meal will be on me as well.

Workshop Includes:

Photographic instruction
Dinner at the Trailhead Steakhouse restaurant the first night and breakfast on the final day.

What’s not included:

Transportation: Transportation to and from the airport and during the workshop is not provided. Please keep this in mind when making travel arrangements.
Lodging: The group will be staying at the Townsend Gateway Inn in Townsend, TN. There will be a block of rooms set aside for the Nature Photography Show.
Food: Other than the initial dinner and the final breakfast food is not included.

For More Information.

Polar Bears with Jeff Wendorff

You will photograph wildlife and landscapes in the diverse Arctic Alaska landscapes like a boreal forest, the tundra, and Brooks Mountain Range. Early winter in the Arctic means Caribou and Musk Oxen are beginning their “rutting’ season. The Polar Bears are reveling at being back on snow and ice after the heat of the Arctic summer! And oh, by the way, we are traveling during the Autumnal Equinox, and that means we are there during the peak season for the magical Aurora Borealis aka Northern Lights aka really cool lights in the sky!

Tour Highlights
Photograph polar bear from small boats as well as land
Experience the colorful dance of the Aurora Borealis
Learn about the culture of a native Inupiat village
Search for iconic Alaska Wildlife: Caribou, Moose, Muskoxen, Dall Sheep and Gray Wolf.

Jurassic Coast of England with Colin Hocking

Based on the Dorset coast of England we will have access to both the history and natural history of this stunning coastline. Our week will include visits to the Abbotsbury Swannery and Botanical Gardens; Corfe Castle, a 17th century ruin; Radipole Lake, an RSPB bird sanctuary; Chesil Beach, and numerous villages with quintessential thatch roof cottages. We’ll explore the fossil laden beaches of this coast where fossil hunters have made astounding discoveries, learn about the history of one of Dorset’s heroes, Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy, who fought alongside Admiral Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar, and visit Lyme Regis, the film location of The French Lieutenant’s Woman. We’ll also see sunrises and sunsets….weather permitting!

Conservation Photojournalism at Big Sur with Jaymi Heimbuch and Sebastian Kennerknecht

This 7-day workshop teaches you the skills necessary to pull off a project and get your work in front of publishers. An ideal workshop for anyone passionate about conservation issues, storytelling, and making a difference with your photography!

The focus for this workshop is sea otters! Beyond being an unbelievably cute subject subject to photograph, sea otters are also a keystone species in coastal ecology.

During this week-long workshop, you’ll meet with people who are involved in various ways with the story of sea otters. You’ll create a story angle, develop a shot list, build your skills in photographing wildlife, landscapes and portraits of human subjects to tell your story, refine your images into a polished portfolio, and learn how to create a well-crafted pitch for an editor.

In addition to working with our nonprofit partners, you’ll also spend a full day on the water photographing sea otters. No one wants to miss that!

Your instructors are professional photographers with over 25 years of combined experience in wildlife photography, photojournalism and working in the editorial and publishing fields. They will walk you through the steps of a conservation photojournalism project from concept to completion.

You’ll learn skills in working with a nonprofit partner, storyboarding, shooting, processing and editing your story, and developing a pitch for publication. You’ll also receive a printed portfolio of your top images from the week to take home.

The workshop is limited to just 6 participants, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity for one-on-one time with instructors.

Alaska Brown Bears with Daniel J. Cox

Daniel has photographed grizzlies in the wilds of Alaska for well over a decade. His guidance and experience assist in giving guests the opportunity to take their own amazing images. We invite you to join us in this exceptional bear-viewing location where no viewing platforms are used. Peaceful encounters with these magnificent giants of the north—there is nothing more exhilarating than photographing these bears! Beware: this trip can be addictive!!