OM System Only
FLORIDA: Mastering Bird in Flight Photography
TOUR FOCUS
PHOTOGRAPHY
SCHEDULED TOURS
TRIP LEADERS
TOUR COST
From: $6,750 (See details)
Cost is per person, double occupancy from Orlando, FL (MCO)
GROUP SIZE
3 Participants
AVAILABILITY
2025: SOLD OUT!
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 FLORIDA: Mastering Bird in Flight Photography
Description of FLORIDA: Mastering Bird in Flight Photography
MASTERING BIRD IN FLIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY
This workshop is a part of our Mastering Nature Photography Series which focuses on developing specific skills related to wildlife, landscape, macro and night sky photography. We will explore the eastern shore of Florida with such a wide variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, gulls, raptors, herons, and egrets which are all fantastic subjects for mastering bird in flight photography. This workshop is designed specifically for OM System photographers to take you through the System for Great Bird in Flight Photography which includes:
1) The Subject – we will develop a beginning knowledge of different bird families flight styles and flight behaviors to help us prepare to capture great bird in flight images.
2) The Setting – we will learn how to assess the setting and set ourselves up for success when it comes to bird in flight photography.
3) The Light – we will learn how to read light, position ourselves for the light we want, and how to shoot in different types of light.
4) The Autofocus – we will consider every autofocus setting which could impact our ability to capture birds in flight.
5) The Drive Mode – we will learn the various drive modes of OM System cameras and which are most beneficial for bird in flight photography.
6) The Exposure – we will learn how to use manual exposure mode to properly expose every image of birds in flight.
7) The Composition – we will learn the many facets of composition such as angles, wing/body position, head position, visual balance, and compositional “rules.”
8) Post Processing – we will learn how to post-process our images so that they look their best.
This workshop will feature five (5) half days of photographing birds in flight from a pontoon boat specifically designed for photography. Two mornings will feature foraging Snail Kites and three mornings will feature nesting Ospreys (along with many other species of birds). The Osprey will not be foraging, but will be nesting, bringing nesting material, and occasionally returning with a meal or even exchanging a meal. One evening will be spent photographing a rookery from the boat. You will not want to miss this workshop which is a part of our Limited Series designed for very small group sizes so you get the personal attention you desire.
Length of Tour
8-Days/7-Nights
Brief Itinerary
Day 1 – Flights to Orlando (Stay the Night in Titusville)/ OM System Exposure Tips & Techniques
Day 2 – AM Photography at Sebastian Inlet/ PM Bird in Flight Photography Classroom Instruction (Night in Vero Beach)
Day 3 – AM Photographing nesting Ospreys from boat / PM Photographing at rookery from boat
Day 4 – AM Photographing nesting Ospreys from boat / PM OM System Menu Walkthrough
Day 5 – AM Photographing nesting Ospreys from boat / PM Photographing at Orlando Wetlands Park
Day 6 – AM Photographing Snail Kites from a boat / PM Photographing at Orlando Wetlands Park
Day 7 – AM Photographing Snail Kites from a boat / PM Post Processing & Image Critique
Day 8 – AM Flights Home
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 – Flights to Orlando, participants need to plan to arrive by 2:00 pm so we can drive to Titusville, FL for our first night’s lodging intro to OM System exposure tips and modes.
Day 2 – In the morning, we will photograph at Sebastian Inlet and will begin to establish some of the basics of the bird in flight system. In the evening, we will have classroom time covering the Mastering Bird in Flight System comprised of seven systems.
Day 3 – 7 – Mornings will be spent photographing from a boat for nesting Ospreys and Snail Kites as well as many other species of birds. The first three mornings will be spent on a lake heavily populated with nesting Ospreys. One afternoon we will photograph from the boat at a nearby rookery. The other two mornings will be spent photographing Snail Kites as the hunt for Apple Snails. The afternoons will include OM System menu walkthroughs and photographing at the Orlando Wetlands Park. Our final evening will be spent learning post-processing and having an image critique.
Day 8 – AM Flights Home
Cost
Cost is $6,750 per person, based upon double occupancy, from Orlando, FL (Airport code MCO.
This trip ends in same as arrival city (Airport code ).
The tour cost does not include meals, transportation to Orlando, tips, laundry, and other items of a personal nature. *Due to spring break, hotels in Florida are a bit more than typical times of year.
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 $1,100 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 $1,500 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 trip includes Holiday Inn Express hotels.
Activity Level Rating: 1 (Note: 1 is easy and 5 is difficult)
This will involve photographing from a boat, from beaches, and near the vehicle in Florida. We will walk some trails at the Orlando Wetlands Park on two afternoons and temps might be cool or slightly warm. It is Florida, you might have to gain 3′ or 4′ of elevation at some point. But doable.
Camera & Lens Equipment
Accessories
Non-Camera Gear
The tour cost does not include meals.
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.
