NEBRASKA: Sandhill Crane Migration
TOUR FOCUS
PHOTOGRAPHY
SCHEDULED TOURS
TRIP LEADERS
TOUR COST
From: $3,300 (See details)
Cost is per person, double occupancy from Omaha, Nebraska (OMA)
GROUP SIZE
3 Participants
AVAILABILITY
2025: 2 Spaces Available
PRIVATE TOUR OPTION
This tour is available as a private trip for any size group. The tour cost will vary with the number of people and any custom requests.
TESTIMONIALS
Highlights of NEBRASKA: Sandhill Crane Migration
Description of NEBRASKA: Sandhill Crane Migration
Every year from mid/late February to mid-April, one million Sandhill Cranes migrate on the Platte River Valley in order to ‘fuel up’ before resuming their northward migration.
The Platte River is home to the largest crane roost in the world! During the month of March, over 1 million cranes visit this stretch of the Platte River. They come as they have for thousands of years to this stretch of the Platte River—over one million—to rest, feed and congregate in astonishing numbers before pushing on to their breeding grounds in the north. Now, as never before, you can experience the wonder of North America’s great Sandhill Crane migration.
The arrival of the cranes on Nebraska’s Platte River—and the millions of other migratory birds that visit each spring—is one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on the continent. Peak viewing times occur at dawn and sunset, meaning there is an extremely short and exclusive window to experience this awe-inspiring scene.
After we leave we will be heading back to Omaha for our evening flights home.
This workshop is a part of our new “Wildside Limited Series” which is limited to 3 photographers for plenty of individual instruction and attention!
Length of Tour
5-days/4-nights
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Omaha, NE, overnight in Omaha
Day 2: Transfer to Kearney, Evening Photography Blinds
Day 3: Morning in Photography Blind, Field Photography, Evening Photography Blind
Day 4: Morning in Photography Blind, Field Photography, Evening Photography Blind
Day 5: Morning in Photography Blind, Field Photography, transfer to Omaha for evening flight
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Omaha International Airport Eppley Airfield. You will be transferred to a nearby hotel to rest for the night before heading out into the field the next day. We will have a welcome dinner, where you will meet your leader and discuss what to expect during the next few days. We will talk about how to photograph from photography blinds and some of the rules and etiquette so as not to disturb the birds.
Day 2: Drive to Kearney, NE, Lunch, Afternoon photographing Sandhill cranes, snow geese and bald eagles in the fields.
The next few days will be spent photographing Sandhill Cranes from photography blinds in the early morning and in the evening when the cranes come and go from the Platte River. We will also be photographing them in the corn fields in the middle of the day when they are feeding to refuel for the rest of their migration.
After checking into our hotel in Kearney, we will head out to our photography spot for the night for the first opportunity to photograph from the blinds.
Day 3: The next two days will be spent photographing cranes from the photography blinds and then heading out into the fields to photograph the cranes, snow geese and eagles that gather in this area this time of year.
After we are done in the blinds we will enjoy dinner and spend the evening reviewing the images we made.
Day 4: Same as day 3.
Day 5: The morning will be spent back at the photography blinds and we will get one last look at the cranes before transferring to Omaha for an afternoon flight home.
Cost
Cost is $3,300 per person, based upon double occupancy, from Omaha, Nebraska (Airport code OMA.
This trip ends in same as arrival city (Airport code ).
This trip includes meals, airport pickup, transportation during the workshop,
Single Supplement
If a single hotel room is preferred, or we are unable to find a suitable roommate for you, a single supplement fee of $185 will be assessed.
NOTE: For boat-based tours, see pricing options for single cabins. Single cabin cost includes the single hotel cost above.
Minimum Number
If fewer than the minimum number of required participants are registered, we may still be able to run the trip by adding a small-group supplement fee, per person, determined by the number of participants registered.
Deposit Requirements
A $750 deposit per person is required to hold each space on this tour. Deposit may be made online by clicking the "Book Your Trip Now" button and using any credit card. If you prefer, you may call us at 888-875-9453 to pay by phone. You may also mail us a check, however, remember that all space is held on a first come-first served basis as deposits are received.
How to Book
In order to hold your space, click the "Book Your Trip Now" button above and complete the deposit process, including payment of the deposit through our Paypal portal using ANY CREDIT CARD. Upon completion of deposit, please visit our secure, online CLIENT INFORMATION FORM to complete your registration.
Final Payment
For all land-based tours: full payment by check is due 120 days prior to the departure date.
For all boat-based adventure cruises of 7-days or longer: full payment by check is required 180 days prior to departure.
NOTE: If you prefer to use credit card for final payment, a 3% fee may be added to cover the credit card merchant fees we incur.
This workshop uses standard hotel accommodations.
Activity Level Rating: 2 (Note: 1 is easy and 5 is difficult)
It will be cold and you will need to be able to walk at least a ¼ of a mile to and from the blinds on uneven ground. The Prairie Chicken blinds are not heated.
Gear for Birding & Wildlife Viewing
• Good quality binoculars
Photography Gear Recommendations
The best camera is the one you have with you! That said, we will help you get great photos no matter what camera you use.
This Photo Workshop is geared toward those using DSLR or Mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses; here is what we recommend that you bring:
• Bring at least 2 camera bodies – to reduce changing lenses and just in case of accidental damage to one
Recommended Lenses for Birds & Wildlife
• 100-400mm (or equivalent) for birds in flight
• 500mm lens or longer for birds and wildlife
Recommended Lenses for Landscape Opportunities
• 24-105mm (or equivalent) for landscape and general purpose
• In addition you may also want to have an ultra-wide lens equivalent to about 16-35mm which may be used for fun landscapes and night sky photography.
Filters (Mainly for Landscape Photography)
• Polarizing Filter for removing reflections (screw in for wide-angle lenses)
• Filter Holder for 4×6″ (or similar) filters
• 2-stop Neutral Density Filter
• 8-stop (or more) Neutral Density Filter
• 2-stop Hard and/or Soft Graduated Neutral Density Filter
Other Accessories
• Tripod for long exposures, big lenses and steady video
• Flash for low light, fill light and stop action
• Rain cover for camera
• Weather resistant Camera Bag (Backpack style is best)
• Batteries and chargers
• Lots of memory cards!
• Laptop or other downloading device
*Although we will eat our meals as a group, meals costs are not included in this tour.
Purchasing Flights
Do not purchase your flights until the trip has been confirmed to go.
Detailed Trip Information
Upon notification that final payment is due (120 days prior to departure for land based tours / 180 days for boat based tours), you will receive a trip package of detailed information for your tour.
Any additional information about the trip, including lodgings, contacts, participants, meeting locations, etc., will sent about 2 weeks prior to the trip departure, or after final payment is received for late registrants.
Travel Insurance
As with all tours, we recommend purchasing Travel Insurance to help cover your investment, for covered reasons. Please see our section on Travel Insurance.
Passport & Visa
US Citizens may require a visa to enter certain foreign countries. See above for any required visa information.
Participants arriving to the USA from a foreign country may need to get a travel visa to enter the United States. Be sure to check the requirements for your country of origin.
Itinerary Changes
The trip itinerary is developed many months ahead of time. Occasionally, despite our best planning, changes may occur during the trip, or we may be forced to alter our plans. Changes may occur because of weather, road conditions, safety concerns or other circumstances. In these situations, it is the leader(s) responsibility to carefully consider and implement appropriate alternatives. Any additional costs incurred because of changes will be the responsibility of each individual participant. Refunds will not be issued as a result of itinerary changes.
Purchasing Flights
Do not purchase your flights until the trip has been confirmed to go.
Detailed Trip Information
Upon notification that final payment is due (120 days prior to departure for land based tours / 180 days for boat based tours), you will receive a trip package of detailed information for your tour.
Any additional information about the trip, including lodgings, contacts, participants, meeting locations, etc., will sent about 2 weeks prior to the trip departure, or after final payment is received for late registrants.
Travel Insurance
As with all tours, we recommend purchasing Travel Insurance to help cover your investment, for covered reasons. Please see our section on Travel Insurance.
Passport & Visa
US Citizens may require a visa to enter certain foreign countries. See above for any required visa information.
Participants arriving to the USA from a foreign country may need to get a travel visa to enter the United States. Be sure to check the requirements for your country of origin.
Itinerary Changes
The trip itinerary is developed many months ahead of time. Occasionally, despite our best planning, changes may occur during the trip, or we may be forced to alter our plans. Changes may occur because of weather, road conditions, safety concerns or other circumstances. In these situations, it is the leader(s) responsibility to carefully consider and implement appropriate alternatives. Any additional costs incurred because of changes will be the responsibility of each individual participant. Refunds will not be issued as a result of itinerary changes.
