Grande South Texas Desert and Gulf Coast Tour, February 2025 - SOLD OUT

Cost

• $3,000 (Airfare, hotel, meals and transportation are not included.)

• $750 non-refundable deposit due on signup. Balance of $2,250 due by December 15, 2025

• Free 2 Hour Image Review and Processing Bonus Session after the tour to help with processing questions

Tour Objective

This unique trip will have up close and personal opportunities to photograph raptors, songbirds, herons and egrets, shorebirds and terns. Participants will come home with high-quality and memorable images of the diverse birdlife of southern Texas.

Description

South Texas is a premier destination for bird photography. It is home to numerous species whose northernmost range is southern Texas. There are many widespread resident desert songbirds, game birds and raptors as well. A trip to the gulf coast adds significant diversity of birdlife. February is a great time for raptors in southern Texas.

The first 4 days of this workshop will be held at a private ranch that has songbird and raptor blinds specifically designed to maximize photographic opportunities of the resident and migratory birds. These birds will be coming in for food and water and will be landing on set-up perches. There will be many in flight opportunities for songbirds and raptors, as well. We will take the highest quality photographs possible of many of these spectacular species present on the ranch.

The final 2 days will be spent on the gulf coast in an ideal setting for photographing large numbers of herons, egrets, terns and shorebirds.This location has expansive horizon views and evening sessions that are perfect for capturing backlit photos, weather permitting.

Travel

Fly into McAllen, Texas and lodging will be based out of Edinburg, Texas for the first 3 days. (hotel recommendations and exact locations to be given after deposit). The final 2 nights will be spent on the gulf coast. You will be responsible for renting your own vehicle, arranging airline travel and making hotel reservations .

Hotel 

TBD

Schedule

Expect to leave early and come back late each day to give us the most time to capture high quality images. 

Morning Sessions: Meetings will be at predetermined locations. Expect to be up early enough to shoot at sunrise. Morning locations will be a short drive from the hotels. Morning sessions will end when the light gets too harsh. 

Lunch Time: Optional image review and q/a session will focus on processing and composition. On cloudy days, image review sessions are subject to be limited in order to shoot as long as possible.

After Lunch: There will be personal time before the evening sessions.

Evening sessions: Meetings will be at predetermined locations. Expect to be at the shooting locations early in order to scout and prepare for the best light of the day.

Meals

Most hotels offer a continental breakfast. Lunch and dinner is with the group, if you desire.

What to Bring 

Photography Gear

• There are a large variety of birds which we will photograph between 400mm-600mm (minimum focal length of at least 400mm lens is required). A prime lens or telephoto zoom would be ideal. Note that for most songbirds you do not need more than 400mm. For the raptors and birds on the gulf a 600mm lens is recommended. I shoot with my 600mm lens and my 300mm lens with the 1.4x

• If you own a telephoto prime and a zoom you may want to bring both

• 1.4 teleconverter is optional but highly recommended

• I recommend bringing a back up camera.

• Bring lots of extra batteries and a rapid charger.

• Bring as many  memory cards with as much storage as you can as it is not uncommon to fill up 320gb or more in a single session.

• I also highly recommend bringing a laptop or other external storage to transfer your images from your memory cards.

Other Gear

• Ground pod (highly recommended for the coast) and  monopod or tripod -  whatever you prefer to shoot with in the blinds.

• Waterproof lens cover

• Soft bristle paint brush (to get sand off your gear)

• Bug spray

• Sunblock

Clothes

• Bring dark colored clothing for the blinds 

• Bathing suit or beach appropriate clothing for the coast

• Surf shoes

• Hat

Weather

We will be out in all weather conditions and will shoot in the sun or rain. If it is raining you will be fully covered in the blinds but your lens could potentially get a little  wet.  It can be  cool in the mornings in April in Texas so bring some warmer clothing or layers that you can shed as the days warm up. Daytime highs are typically in the 80’s. 

Physical Activity

There are only very short walks to the photography blinds from the car. The coastal locations are also a very short walk from the car. But Texas can be hot so please make sure that you have plenty of water to stay hydrated.

My Responsibilities

I will get you in front of the birds and assist in creating the highest quality photos as possible with each opportunity we have. I will help with obtaining the most pleasing backgrounds and compositions. I will help with field craft techniques and with attracting the birds when needed. I will also put us in the most productive spots to be able to produce high quality photographs of the highest species diversity possible. I will be there to answer all questions and to help facilitate any other needs you may have.

My Ask

Enjoy yourself as much as possible and get cards full of beautiful photos.  I love to talk birds, cameras and gear. I am here to help so anything that you need, please just ask.

Insurance

Travel insurance is strongly encouraged.