Main Focus – Birds.
If you are not only interested in birds, very good opportunities to take pictures of flowers, reptiles and amphibians, butterflies and dragonflies also exist.
From our hides you will have excellent opportunity to observe and photograph some of the most attractive birds in Bulgaria, for ex : Hoopoe, Bea-eater, Roller, Black-headed-, Ortolan- and Cirl bunting, Black-, Syrian woodpeckers, Warblers, Woodchat-, Lesser Grey - and Red-backed Shrike, Isabelline Wheatear, Little Owl, Hawfinch, Nightingale ...
One of the days we will stay in raptors hide – feeding station. Most typical visitors will be: Griffon Black and Egyptian Vultures. Black kite, Golden Jackal, Red fox and other animals are also possible to show up.
Our main efforts are the customer to be able to photograph attractive species of birds with interesting behaviour from suitable distance and beautiful backgrounds.
Normally for a week of intensive sessions our guest are able to photograph really well around 20-25 species. For the one looking for quantity as a priority, numbers can go up to 40-50.
The difference with this workshop compared to the following ones is the greater chance to "capture" mating behaviour of different bird species, which are just starting to settle nesting territories and copulate. This period is also particularly good for woodpeckers (all feeding at that time).
The most interesting mammal that we will encounter is the European ground squirrel known as Souslik. Spending some time in the middle of a colony with your camera can be an entertaining experience
The Sites
During the workshop you will work in several different habitats. One of them is a dry area with rounded hills near Rodopi Mountains which is covered with steppe vegetation. We will also enter the Rodopi with it’s forests, rocky slopes and grasslands. Wetlands situated in the plain are another very different place. These radically different habitats, sheltering specific types of plants and animals, offer a variety of photographic subjects.
During the trip you will stay in a gueast hous near the town of Pestera (less two hours driving from Sofia Airport). Most of the hides and attractive places are 05 to 30 min. driving from our home. Going to the raptors hide will require moving to another area and stay for one night in different hotel.
Daily Program
Every day we will start before sunrise and after breakfast we’ll go to the hides which offer space for one or more photographers. In some situations we will approach several bird species without using a hide, or using our cars as a hide. Going for macro photography also reqire very early waке up.
The photographers will be able to ask questions and get advices and assistance related to wildlife photography. In the evenings we will have time to further look through and discuss the work that we’ve done during the day and discuss the plan for the next day. Most often our lunch will be in the nearby restaurant or serve in the hotel. In May most often good light for photography is until 20.00 pm or even late. After that time we go back to our hotel.
If the days are cloudless, hot and the sun light is too strong, we usually take about 2-3 hours rest at noon. For every two or three participants we provide a car with guid, this allowing greater flexibility of the organization, transfers and choice of sites for photography. Often you will be able to start early morning with macro photography sesion and when the light get brighter you can muve to a bird hid where intensive light is important ( bee-eatres hide for instance)
Level of fitness All hides are accessible by car. For macro and landscape photography you may need to do some moderate walking.
Equipment recommended For bird photography the minimum focal length we recommend is 300mm. It’s important to bring a tripod. We can provide beanbags. A macro lens might be a good choice for insects, plants and other small things. Do not hesitate to contact us in case of specific questions you might have!
Group size: 2 – 6 photographers
Single supplement: 150 EUR
Deposit: 200 EUR
Price excludes: International Flights, travel insurance, all items of purely personal nature.
Early Spring Workshop - Birds and Wildlife
Monday 19th May – Monday 26th May 2025
