Tag Archives: Texas

Farewell to Texas

Painted Bunting, Rio Grande Valley, Texas

After a long ten days in the field with two groups of clients, I’m back home from south Texas. What a week! We photographed over 30 unique species of birds from the private blinds, and everyone walked away with some fabulous keeper photos that you just couldn’t get anywhere else. I captured the shot above on the final session of this year’s safari. I used the incredible combination of the Nikon D500 (see current pricing) and 300mm f/2.8 AFS G VR Nikkor lens and TC-20EIII, which gave me an effective focal length of 900mm!

It’s been my privilege to be among a handful of photographers selected to serve as bird photography guides at the Dos Venadas Ranch, where most of my images were captured. 2018 safari dates are TBD. If you would like more information on joining me on  a private safari at this location, please sign up for my email newsletter so you’ll be the first to know about all my events.  

POTD: Kiskadee with Prey

A Great Kiskadee in the Texas Rio Grande Valley dines on a water insect.

This image of a Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus)South Texas Birding Experience Safari was, by far, my favorite capture from my 2016 . I’m heading back down later this week for this year’s adventure with eight enthusiastic clients. We stay in a private, air-conditioned hunting lodge and photograph from a variety of meticulously maintained photo blinds on-site.  After a hot day in the blinds, we return for home-cooked meals. 2018 dates for South Texas are TBD, but feel free to contact me if you’re interested about next year’s adventure!

See all of my upcoming instructional photo tours here

South Texas Birding Experience 2017

Join me in South Texas, June 2017

Photograph birds  in South Texas, June 2017

A Bird Photo Studio in the Rio Grande Valley

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Great Kiskadee eating a water bug

I’m pleased to announce my dates for the South Texas Birding Experience 2017. For next year, I am offering two small group (max 4) sessions for getting some of the best bird photos in all of the USA. There is nowhere else I’ve been where I can capture closeups of small birds, including unique species like the green jay with perfect backgrounds.

  • Session 1: June 1-5, 2017 
  • Session 2: June 7-11, 2017

All Inclusive Photo Safari Includes:

  • Three days of private access to the photo blinds
  • “Ask me anything” field and classroom instruction (including processing and critique)
  • Single-occupancy air-conditioned lodging on site
  • All meals and happy hour
  • Transportation from the lodge to the shooting sites

Space is extremely limited, so place your deposit now to reserve your seat on this trip.

I hope you can join me in Texas!

POTD: Great Kiskadee

Great Kiskadee with aquatic insect prey, Rio Grande Valley, Texas
Great Kiskadee with aquatic insect prey, Rio Grande Valley, Texas (Click here for a larger version)

Well, I’m back from leading my annual South Texas Birding Safari and once again, the private blinds of the Rio Grande Valley did not let us down. I captured this image while sitting in a blind with several of my clients (we all got similar shots); the Kiskadee decided to start hunting aquatic insects directly in front of us!

I captured this image with the Nikon D500 and the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E AFS VR Nikkor zoom lens. This is quite possibly the best wildlife/birding combination that you can get for under $4000. I highly recommend it!

Want to join me in Texas next year? Space will be extremely limited so sign up for my email newsletter to be notified first!

Texas Birding 2016 Now Open

Join me in Texas June 2-6, 2016 for bird photography from private blinds.
Join me in Texas June 2-6, 2016 for bird photography from private blinds.

I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be returning to the private photo blinds of south Texas in 2016 for a small-group instructional photo safari. This trip includes private blind access on two ranches, double-occupancy lodging for four nights, and all meals.

Reserve your spot before July 31st, 2015 and get a discounted early-bird rate.