Photography Workshops and Tours 2008

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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FINLAND'S BROWN BEARS

11th - 14th July 2008
Holiday operated by Naturetrek.

Fully booked

Martinselkonen is located in the remote taiga forests which straddle Finland's border with Russia, not far short of the Arctic circle. From a specially constructed cabin hide overlooking a regularly baited site,

Brown bear cubs

this provides one of the very best opportunities to photograph the European brown bear. Long daylight hours of midsummer maximise our chances of photography. It is usual to see up to 20 different bears per night, sometimes no further than 5 metres from the hide, and if we’re lucky there will be cubs showing too. Birds may include Siberian jay, waxwing, white-tailed eagle, black kite, hazel hen, capercaillie, black-throated diver. We might also see elk, and there’s an outside chance of wolverine.

We fly to Oulu via Helsinki and then travel overland by minibus to Martinselkonen. Accommodation and meals in a converted border patrol station, with one or two nights (your choice) spent in the comfortable bear hide, complete with bunks and toilet.

Cost per person: £850 (including full board, flights and transfers)

NB. There may be the possibility of an optional tour extension this year, to stay on a couple of extra nights and take advantage of the “professional” photography hides. While these are smaller and more rudimentary than the main hide, they offer close-up and intimate views of wild bears with more pristine backgrounds of natural forest or swamp, for the discerning photographer. Please contact me in the first instance if you wish to express an interest. We won’t be able to cost this extension until we know numbers.

Further information and booking enquiries:
Julie Lacey

tel: 01962 733051
info@naturetrek.co.uk
http://www.naturetrek.co.uk

NORTH NORFOLK BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY

3rd - 6th November 2008
(evening start and finish)

Fully booked

10th - 13th November 2008

(evening start and finish)

Second week added by popular demand

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

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:
£395 (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