The Elusive Sage Sparrow
January 1st - February 28th
This workshop offered is my absolute favorite of any offered. With a narrow time window that these elusive Sagebrush and Bell’s Sparrow visit this select side of California, this is an awesome location to capture these peculiar birds. They are known for their interesting habit that while being a sparrow, run frantically with their tails flipped up and incredible speeds for their tiny stature. The location is a remote hills with views over the whole Central Valley of California, and on a clear morning, you can see straight across the whole valley all the way to the Sierra Nevada mountain range 75 miles away. This remoteness gives the location an “Excursion” rating. We will be using an intense “Hybrid” technique of movement and camouflage to approach these species and capture them well. Crawling in prone will be required and combined with hiking hill after hill this is one of the most physically demanding workshops I offer. This workshop receives a “4” on the challenge scale due to the difficulty of capturing them but more so due to the difficulty in finding them amongst the widespread hills them roam.
Expedition/HY/4
A Sunset with the Vermilion Flycatcher
Nov 1st - February 28th
If you’ve never seen a male Vermilion Flycatcher in person, you’re first experience will be unforgettable. On this outing we will go to a local lake this Vermilion Flycatcher likes to winter at and capture this little ball of fire. I have discovered the best visited perches of this flycatcher to photograph him on, so you should receive some amazing shots. Most years, there is more than one here, offering different plumage patters as well. This location is in the nature park near the lake and receives a “Casual” rating. We will setting up location to location on a tripod, but due to the boldness of the bird, no camo or blind is required and therefore is a “Run and Gun” setup. Like previously mentioned, there will be great opportunities to capture the bird, leading to a “1” on the challenge scale.
Casual/RG/1
The Incredibly Rare Spotted Doves of Fresno
January 15th-April 15th
Spotted Doves were once a species flooded across towns of the United States, now, only 3 small populations remain in the entire USA, all located within California. One such population happens to be located on the street I live in Fresno, CA. To see this incredibly rare US bird, we will be camped out in my backyard waiting for them to stop by as they frequent my backyard space in the right season, receiving a “Casual” on the rating scale. We will be in a blind or unobtrusive tripod setup due to their skittishness for a “Blind” setup, and waiting for the right moment when they come and land on a select area of perches. While there is a very high chance of seeing these birds, their skittishness makes them hard to photograph and therefore receives a “3” on the challenge scale.
Casual/BL/3
Brewer’s Blackbirds in the Snow
March 15th-April 15th
While relatively common, Brewer’s Blackbirds are a visually interesting species to capture, especially in the snow. One of my favorite locations to photograph them is near the turn of the season up in a mountain lake in which they flock around and forage through the snow. This location is off the normal path but not far from human traffic, receiving a “Adventure” rating. We will be roaming around and sneaking up on the flocks around the lake in a “Hybrid” scenario. This workshop receives a “2” on the challenge scale due to the relative ease to find and photograph these birds.
Adventure/HY/2
Great Blue Heron’s Hunting
October 15th-March 15th
Great Blue Heron’s are a widely regarded beautiful species. One particular field I often visit nestled into a canyon by a river is often full of Egrets and Herons hunting gophers and mice out in the fields. I’ve had the honor of capturing them spear rodents a few times and it’s always a phenomenal experience. This location is out of the way and we won’t run into much more than fisherman during our time out, receiving an “Adventure” rating. We will be using a “Hybrid” setup of slowly approaching these birds and hiding amidst the tall grass while having the ability to move around. This workshop receives a “3” on the challenge scale since they are often difficult to approach well and get good shots, yet will always be found.
Adventure/HY/3
Mountain Bluebirds in the Hills
January 15th-Feburary 28th
This workshop will lead you to the tops of rolling hills with flocks of Mountain Bluebirds perched amongst the chaparral. The location is a remote hills with views over the whole Central Valley of California, and on a clear morning, you can see straight across the whole valley all the way to the Sierra Nevada mountain range 75 miles away. We will most likely see no one else during our outing out in nature, giving the location an “Excursion” rating. Lots of hiking will be involved and this is a physically demanding trip roaming the hills. We will be in a “Run and Gun” scenario located the birds, sneaking up on them from behind the bushes and shooting them as we peak out from behind them. This workshop receives a “3” on the challenge scale due to the difficulty of capturing them but also due to the challenge of finding them amongst the rolling hills.
Expedition/RG/3