Digital Field Workshop

Dates Dec 1–7, 2007
Leaders Michael Francis
Fee $2,695 from McAllen, Texas
Deposit $300
Limit 8
Terms and Conditions

Few photographers realize the exceptional potential a trip to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in South Texas can present. Incorporating some of North America’s biggest private ranches, The Valley boasts an incredible variety of photogenic birds and an astonishing assortment of other wildlife. It is an area where East meets West and North meets South, with examples of flora and fauna found from coast to coast and deep into the neotropics.

During our Private Ranches digital workshop, our small group will have exclusive access to four uniquely different ranchlands, each providing several professionally designed wildlife photography
blinds. These comfortable blinds are built adjacent to nearby water holes and wildlife feeding stations where a high-traffic array of species frequent them regularly.

Learn the techniques the pros use to capture intimate wildlife portraits as well as action shots against a backdrop of rolling countryside bisected by numerous arroyos and small creeks that empty into the Rio Grande. Our primary focus will be on birds: green jays, great kiskadees, curved-billed thrashers, golden-fronted woodpeckers, crested caracaras, greater roadrunners, plain chachalacas, vultures and birds of prey. In addition to birds, one ranch has a large herd of white-tailed deer that comes to feed on corn that is regularly dispensed near their carefully placed photo blinds. Another has productive bait stations attracting crested caracaras, vultures,
birds of prey and various mammalian scavengers. The third ranch furnishes a sunken blind to allow animal photography at their eye level. Another holds promise of shooting wild bobcats, waterfowl and roadrunners. At each ranch there are first-rate chances of shooting javelina (collared peccary), wild boar, armadillo, wild turkey, cardinals and even nesting ferruginous pygmy owls!

Be part of our enthusiastic group for a productive week of digital instruction and photography with exclusive access to an incredible variety of wildlife. This is a great chance to get within easy camera range of a wide cross section of wildlife not easily accessible in other regions of the United States. Along with the Texas-style wealth of exciting photo opportunities, you’ll enjoy a warm winter getaway with wonderful Texan hospitality.



Day 1 (Dec 1)
Participants fly to McAllen, Texas, and transfer to our hotel. (D)

Days 2–6
We spend five full days photographing from dawn to dusk (with a midday break) at four private
working ranches. Each ranch features specifically designed and carefully placed photo blinds to which our group will have exclusive access. (BLD)

Day 7 (Dec 7)
We drive to the McAllen airport this morning. Flights home should be scheduled for no earlier than noon. (B)


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