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This extensive workshop takes us to the tiny remote island of St. Paul in Alaska’s Pribilofs. Situated in the Bering Sea, it attracts hundreds of thousands of seabirds to nest in its vertical cliffs, and the majority of the world’s population of Northern Fur Seals to bear and raise young on its shores. A growing number of Arctic Foxes (blue) are a common sight on the island and are also possible subjects with their blue-eyed pups. A rare but possible treat is one of St. Paul’s herds of wild reindeer. Led by Greg Downing and Alan Murphy you will be guided by two of the best bird photographers in the world!

Why travel to St. Paul Island with us rather than a regular tour through St. Paul Island Tours?

• Greg has spent a great deal of time on the island and can place folks in the right place at the right time in order to maximize photographic opportunities. Alan and Greg are both expert birders and photographers.
• We will have EXCLUSIVE use of a bus, even though there will only be a handful of participants. When you travel alone or as a smaller group you will be stuck on a bus with birders and toursists and will not be able to focus on photography
• We will have professional guide who will also be there solely for our group. This means we can go anywhere we want on the island and concentrate on photography.
• We will not be pressured to leave an area when the shooting is good and we will not be tied down to an itinerary with a busload of birders and tourists.

Since we will have our own bus and guide, and our group will be very small, the focus can be on photography and flexibility in the field!

The island environment offers exciting challenges for even seasoned photographers to meet! The climate of St. Paul is typically cloudy with fog and strong winds, although some blue skies and sunshine are also possible. Photographing from atop steep cliff ledges, we will have close range access to Horned and Tufted Puffins, Common and Thick-billed Murres, Crested, Parakeet, and Least Auklets, Black and Red-legged Kittiwakes and more.

Within the island’s interior we may be able to photograph Snow Buntings, Lapland Longspurs, Grey-crowned Rosy Finches, and visiting migrants. Shorelines may also contain some migrants as well as a number of the island’ s Rock Sandpipers and Ruddy Turnstones.

The focus of the workshop will be to photograph the unique and exciting birds and wildlife the island has to offer, work on the sometimes difficult exposures of black and white birds, and making best use of available light as well as learning to work in foggy conditions. There will be opportunities for flight photography, and with a cooperative wind direction some cliffs offer an updraft that helps to virtually suspend birds in flight. There are also opportunities for distinct scenic images.

To make best use of time, photo critiques are also offered during the workshop at times when inclement weather or other situations temporarily make photographing less productive.

Photographers of all levels willing to meet the challenges at St. Paul are encouraged to participate in this workshop for the experience and images of a lifetime!

Dates:

July 30 - August 6, 2007 (8 days, 7 nights)

Includes six full and two half days of in-the-field shooting, extensive photographic instruction, slide presentations and critiques as well as getting you in the right locations at the right times to ensure we are making the best use of conditions and weather.

Cost: $4,995 - Round-trip airfare from ANC, ground transportation, guide services and lodging is included!

Price includes all instruction, round-trip air transportation from Anchorage, ground transportation at destination, guide and sightseeing services, and shared accommodations.

Meals and gratuities not included. Meals are roughly $40 per day. Single supplements can be arranged at an additional $455 for those wanting a single room, but spots are limited.

* Cost for Non-Photographers is $3,995 and requires a separate registration and deposit. Please indicate "non photographer" next to your name in the registration form.

Registration

If you would like to register for this workshop, please fill out the registration form below. ( * = Required Field ) I will ask that you make a deposit of $750 to guarantee your spot.

During the registration process you will have the opportunity to make your deposit with a credit card using PayPal. If you chose not to use PayPal, then once I have received your registration I will contact you to make arrangements for receiving the deposit.

*** Non-photographers require a separate registration and deposit. Please indicate "non photographer" next to your name in the registration form.

Thank you for your interest in this workshop!