Photography Workshops and Tours 2009-2010
Below is a summary of holiday tours and workshops on which I will be acting as tutor/tour leader over the months ahead.
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INNER HEBRIDES CRUISE
Saturday 30th May to Friday 5th June 2009
Fully booked
Photographers' cruise, based on live-aboard motor vessel 'Chalice' with a maximum of twelve passengers, departing Oban.
This is an additional island cruise for 2009, as the later one to Saint Kilda sold out so quickly. We might expect to visit the isles of Mull, Skye, and Canna, passing Coll and Tiree, and hopefully land on Lunga in the Treshnish Isles. Exact itinerary is determined by local conditions and the discretion of the skipper.
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MV Chalice |
The nature of these small live-aboard vessels means we can anchor in some of the most beautiful, remote and otherwise inaccessible locations, and see the jewels of Scotland from an entirely new angle, making the most of the long days of mid-summer. Every voyage is different of course, each with its own special moments and encounters. There will be ample opportunities for photographing landscapes, wildflowers, geology, birds and wildlife, and of course we’ll endeavour to take in some of the really special seabird colonies.
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Puffins on Lunga |
Photography at sea is more challenging, but we will get close to plenty of seabirds and probably a few cetaceans. There are puffins, gannets, manx shearwaters, storm petrels, great skuas, fulmars, etc while golden and white-tailed eagle are both pretty regular. Cetaceans generally include harbour porpoise, common and Risso's dolphin, minke whale (sometimes close enough to smell their breath), with occasional records of orca and humpback whale. Grey and common seals are plentiful, and there is a good chance of seeing otter. Basking sharks have been reliable in recent summers, and ocean sunfish were highlights of 2004 and 2006.
I will be available throughout the week to act as your guide, offer creative and technical advice, and answer all your photographic queries. There is a digital projector on board so we can review each other’s work as we go along. Non-photographer partners are also welcome.
Cost per person: £1,150 (six night cruise including full board, sharing twin berth accommodation)
Further information and booking enquiries:
Chris Jackson
Chalice Charters
tel: 01631 720609
info@chalicecharters.com
http://www.chalicecharters.com
See a portfolio of Chris's images from previous voyages
OUTER HEBRIDES AND SAINT KILDA
Saturday 27th June to Sunday 5th July 2009
Fully booked
Photographers' cruise, based on live-aboard motor vessel 'Chalice' with a maximum of twelve passengers, departing Oban.
On this trip we aim to visit the renowned World Heritage Site and seabird city of St Kilda. Landing cannot be guaranteed, but we will have one of the most suitable vessels and experienced skippers available – of course, the exact itinerary is determined by weather
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Common dolphin bow-riding |
conditions and the discretion of the skipper. En route, we shall have the opportunity to call in at some other exciting island destinations; possibly Mingulay, Vatersay, the Monarchs or the Shiants. And no doubt we’ll fit in some perennial favourites such as Canna and Lunga.
Cost per person: £1,540 (eight night cruise including full board, sharing twin berth accommodation)
Further information and booking enquiries:
Chris Jackson
Chalice Charters
tel: 01631 720609
info@chalicecharters.com
http://www.chalicecharters.com
NORTH NORFOLK BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY
2nd - 5th November 2009
(evening start and finish)
Fully booked
Famous for spectacular winter flocks of geese, wildfowl and wading birds. Skeins of pink-footed geese commute between their roosts on the Wash and inland feeding areas at dawn and dusk, and clouds of knot whirl around as the tide covers the mudflats. In the harbours and on the beaches
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Sanderling preening |
we’ll try to get close to turnstones, sanderlings, bar-tailed godwits, and redshanks. Owls and farmland birds are also likely to figure in our itinerary. We shall visit Titchwell and other fabulous nature reserves along the coast, make use of permanent hides, learn how to stalk bird subjects on foot, and use vehicles as mobile hides. The evenings give us an opportunity to review each day’s photography and perhaps enjoy a slide or digital presentation. I am available to offer constructive evaluation of your recent work and address any of your photographic queries. Join me in one of my favourite photographic locations and try your hand at capturing the essence of Norfolk's winter birdlife.
Previous bird photography experience desirable but not essential, and telephoto lenses of 400mm or longer recommended. Maximum six participants.
Accommodation:
Le Strange Arms Hotel, Old Hunstanton (3 star).
Transport:
We share cars during the workshop, but if you plan to arrive by public transport you can almost certainly be accommodated - just let us know beforehand.
Cost per person:
£435 (includes three nights full board with packed lunches)
No single room supplement. Additional nights before and after workshop available at extra cost. Partners and non-participants are welcome at the hotel, and a personal birdwatching guide can be provided if there is a demand.
Booking enquiries:
tel: 01485 534411
reception@lestrangearms.co.uk
See a portfolio of guests' images from November 2008
SCOTLAND'S WINTER WILDLIFE
Holidays operated by Northshots
6th - 11th February 2010
Chris Gomersall co-leading with Peter Cairns
Fully booked
13th - 18th February 2010
Chris Gomersall co-leading with Rob Jordan
Fully booked
The winter months represent an exciting time of the year for wildlife photography in the Scottish Highlands. Overnight frosts and extended periods of snow cover force many animals and birds to put aside their normal inhibitions as they search to obtain food. For this reason many species are more tolerant of humans and will allow a closer approach than at other times of the year.
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Red squirrel |
Our adventure starts close to home with red squirrels, crested tits and a range of other woodland birds all visiting our feeding stations which are served by photographic hides. Away from our base, we will enjoy close encounters with majestic red deer and weather permitting, venture into the 'arctic' in search of reindeer, snow bunting and ptarmigan.
Our tour concludes with a rare opportunity to photograph two of Scotland's most exciting birds of prey under controlled conditions. Golden eagle against a snow-laden mountain backdrop or peregrine falcon silhouetted against a fiery sunset...all part of this mouth-watering photo-treat!
Evening digital slide presentations from guides and guests alike. Maximum 10 participants.
Accommodation:
Based in a luxury converted farm steading at Glenfeshie, near Kingussie.
Cost per person:
£725 inc four nights full board and all transportation during workshop.
Further information & booking enquiries:
tel: 01540 651352
tours@northshots.com