Roma Texas - Avian Photography
Workshops
A
Haven for Bird Photographers in the Rio Grande Valley
(all images
shown were taken during the 2005 Roma workshops)
(Click image to enlarge)
During
each of these workshops our participants will have exclusive
use of the Ramirez Ranch, a privately owned 1000 acre
property specifically set up for photographers. The
groups will be limited to six participants with one
instructor and an experienced assistant. This makes
for a unique opportunity to photograph the birds and
other wildlife that reside or migrate through the Lower
Rio Grande Valley.
This
will be our 7th year in Roma. Our vast experience
and familiarity with this ranch will prove to be most
beneficial to participants in terms of making the best
of our allotted time there. We know this ranch very
intimately!
Participants can expect to learn how
to choose and set-up perches, adjust perspectives and
backgrounds as well as tricks and tips on how to get
the birds to do what you want them to do. In addition
to some great photographic opportunities, each workshop
includes extensive digital photography lessons with
planned presentations on exposure, composition, digital
camera use, advanced flash techniques, interpreting
histograms and digital workflow.
(Click images to enlarge)
Since we will be leasing exclusive use
of the entire 1000 acre ranch, during prime shooting
dates, we are providing unparalleled opportunities in
the Rio Grande Valley. In addition to the large variety
of resident birds these workshops are scheduled during
the spring migration, which could bring some welcomed
surprises.
All
photography during this workshop will done in the comfort
of chairs! A number of spacious blinds have been set
up at various positions over the ranch with different
exposures and overlook water drips and feeding stations
which are visited by the birds frequently. Feeders are
maintained daily throughout the year and water flows
to small pools at the blinds. Birds flock to the area
and the variety of species is astounding.
Arriving
in advance of the workshop we scout out the different
blinds to document the current bird activity at each.
The evening before the workshop starts the group will
get together so members can meet. A brief slide show
will be presented of the birds that may be seen and
photographed in the following days with a discussion
of the ranch layout and what different weather conditions
will mean for our shooting strategies.
Our
photo workshop participants will rotate to different
shooting areas at our discretion. Arriving predawn to
set up our equipment we will be prepared at first light.
Sheltered from the sun in the blinds, it is actually
quite comfortable and sometimes possible to photograph
all day long.
(click image to enlarge)
Possible
species include:
Green
Jays
Northern Mockingbirds
Curve-billed and Brown Thrashers
Cardinals
Pyrrhuloxias
Plain Chachalacas
Olive, Lark and White-crowned Sparrows
Golden-fronted Woodpeckers
Ground, Inca, Mourning and White-tipped Doves
Brown-headed and Bronzed Cowbirds
Painted and Indigo Buntings
Black-crested (Mexican) Titmouse
Northern Bobwhite and Scaled Quail
Hooded and Audubon Orioles
Scissor-tailed Flycatchers
Harris's
Hawks
Crested Caracara
Many more!
This
is a rare opportunity to get images of birds difficult
to get elsewhere!
 
(click images to enlarge)
Dates
and Cost:
Includes
all instruction, exclusive leasing of the ranch with
access to large house for daily classroom instruction,
meals and mid-day breaks, as well as access to all the
blinds and shooting locations.
All
lunches will be home cooked/prepared at the Roma ranch! Cost
of lunches and unlimited bottled water and ice is
included!
(Transportation,
lodging and cost of other meals, or meals at Dos Venadas not included)
Spring
2008 Dates:
(space is strictly limited to 6 photographers per workshop)
May 15-17 (3-day) $1,275 (weekend workshop - 2 openings)
May 19-21 (3-day) $1,275 (Sold Out)
May 23-25 (3-day) $1,375
Dos Venadas Ranch (Sold Out)
(no meals included in the Dos Venadas workshop) Any
Two Workshops (6 shooting days and one break day)
$2,400
(Please register once for
each workshop - discount will be applied)
Note:
You may register for a SOLD OUT workshop and be placed on the waiting list. A refundable
anytime deposit is required. Openings may or may not
become available and are offered on a first-come first-served
basis. If no spot becomes available, or should you decide
to cancel, your deposit will be refunded in full.
For
flexible "per day" custom workshops, register
here.
***Please
inquire
about special discounts for multiple workshops!
If you would like to register
for these workshops, please fill out the registration
form below. To register for flexible workshops select
"daily rate" in the date field and indicate
the days in the name field next to your name. (
* = Required Field ) A non-refundable deposit
of $350 is required to reserve your spot.
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