MINNESOTA: Photographing Owls
TOUR FOCUS
PHOTOGRAPHY
SCHEDULED TOURS
TRIP LEADERS
TOUR COST
From: $2,950 (See details)
Cost is per person, double occupancy from Duluth, MN ((DLH) Duluth International Airport)
GROUP SIZE
3-5 Participants
AVAILABILITY
2025: 5 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 MINNESOTA: Photographing Owls
Description of MINNESOTA: Photographing Owls
Winter in Minnesota provides a unique opportunity to photograph owls and other birds that live in this winter wonderland.
We will spend 3 full days exploring the famous Sax-Zim Bog looking for owls including the Great Grey Owl, the Snowy Owl and the Northern Hawk Owl. We will also look for other boreal specialties like Black-backed and American Three-toed Woodpeckers, Boreal Chickadee, Canada Jay, and Northern Shrike. We’ll visit local feeders to look for rare Hoary Redpolls mixed into swirling flocks of Common Redpolls. Pine Grosbeaks, Evening Grosbeaks, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Pine Siskin, and Purple Finches also frequently visit feeders and can also be found foraging in conifers and birches throughout the region. We will also check berry-laden bushes for flocks of hungry Bohemian Waxwings.
Other exciting winter wildlife photography is possible in this area including Pine Marten, Ermine, Fox, Deer, Moose, Coyote and maybe if we are really lucky a Timber Wolf. You just never know what you may find.
We’ll use Duluth as our base for this tour, so you can unpack and stay in one hotel throughout this tour.
Length of Tour
5-Days/4-Nights
Brief Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival at Duluth International Airport. Duluth
Days 2 through 4 – Photographing at Sax-Zim Bog throughout each day. We will be starting well before sunrise and returning after sunset. The mornings will be spent searching out owls and the mid-day will be spent looking for smaller boreal bird species.
Day 5 – Morning photography and departures from Duluth International Airport.
Detailed Itinerary
*Exact itinerary subject to change depending on current conditions.
*Single hotel for the entire tour
Day 1 – Arrival at Duluth International Airport. Duluth
We strongly recommend that guests arrive the day before this tour officially begins, in order to avoid issues with flights during a time of the year when winter storm risks, long delays, and cancellationsare regular. On Day 1 we will meet at noon in the hotel lobby, and will spend our first afternoon photographing in Sax-Zim Bog. Group orientation at dinner.
Days 2 through 4 – Photographing at Sax-Zim Bog throughout each day. We will be starting well before sunrise and returning after sunset. The mornings will be spent searching out owls and the mid-day will be spent looking for smaller boreal bird species.
! Dress warm. Each morning we will leave the hotel very early (well before sunrise) in order to have the best chances at finding rare owls at first light. We may spend several hours in the cold snow waiting for owls to take flight for those perfect action images.
*Be prepared for early mornings and long days in the field!*
Day 5 – Morning birding and departures from Duluth International Airport.
We will spend any available time during the morning hours to track down some last-minute target birds, or try for better photo opportunities, and then head to the airport. Please plan for mid-day departures from Duluth International Airport.
Cost
Cost is $2,950 per person, based upon double occupancy, from Duluth, MN (Airport code (DLH) Duluth International Airport.
This trip ends in same as arrival city (Airport code ).
*Meals are NOT included on this 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 $480 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 trip includes standard hotels.
Activity Level Rating: 3 (Note: 1 is easy and 5 is difficult)
light hiking, cold weather
You want to have a good selection of lenses with you on this trip.
- Telephoto lens – 400 mm or larger for wildlife (I use the Nikon 180-600 mm)
- A wide-angle lens for environmental and landscape images
- A tripod is a good idea for waiting for those critical moments as well as for low lighting conditions.
- The weather in Minnesota in the winter can be extremely cold. Be prepared for heavy coats, hats, gloves and neck gaiters.
- Waterproof hiking boots or snow boots. We will standing in the cold and snow
The weather can be quite cold at this time of year so participants should be prepared for possibly challenging weather conditions.
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.
