Main Focus
From last week of June till mid July the opportunities to photograph birds in Bulgaria are still very good. At the same time the mountain meadows offer great opportunities to see and photograph attractive insects and flowers.  This workshop is especially good for those who have  serious interest of  macro photography and at the same time like to take advantage and photograph attractive birds.
The opportunities for Landscape photography can be also very good - sunflover fields, shiny morning meadous and some very promising spots where to capture the sunrise in the mountains.

Frogs, smaragd lizards, tortoise, European souslik  will be option as well.

So, we can call this workshop – Best of wildlife during Bulgaria summer  – with main focus on birds and macro ( approximately 50/50).

Typical birds to be expected – Europen  Bee-eater,  Little Owl ( possibly adults with young’s) ,  European Turtle-Dove, Red-backed Shrike, Woodchat Shrike,  larks, Hawfinch and other finches, Ortolan Bunting, Black-headed Bunting, Hoopoe, Great Reed Warbler, Olivaceous warbler, Wryneck, Syrian Woodpecker, Yellow Wagtail and more.

Our drinking-ponds hides will be a MUST place to go, especialli during the hot afternoons . You can expect between 15 to 25 birds species to come to drink and bath.  The set-up of this hides is interesting and innovative giving opportunities for artistic type of photography as well
Not just the number and variety of birds will impress you, but the hole set-up will help to go for another level of your personal photo life.


The most typical macro subjects will be:  Apollo butterfly and about 30-40 other species of butterflies, moths, Nemoptera sinuata , Antlion,  Ascalaphus, libelloides macaronius,  several species of orchids and  hundred other flowering plants.

The Sites

Having more opportunities and variety will require to visit several different habitats located on different altitude.  Luckily we do not need to travel so much for them.

First we will work not far from town of Pazardjik. Our working area is located between  Maritca river  (know in Greece as Evros river ending with Evros delta) and Rhodopi Mountains .  Been down near the river we can photograph species belonging to wetlands and just some steps away will bring us to dry and warm meadows and valleys .  The Rhodopi Mountains are just about 30 min away where we will enter typical forest and also high mountain meadows with fresh air.
After 3 full days near Pazardjik we will move deeply in Rhodopi mountains.  If you like to spent your vacation in beautiful remote place with green fresh forest and colorful meadows full with butterflies – yes you will be in the right place.  In Rhodopi we will stay in two different hotels and this will give us chance to visit several of our most favorite meadows.

Daily Program

Wake up before sunrise! Have food and drinks… and go for photography. According to your inters and the  conditions of the nature we do prepare our program day by day. For instance The bee-eaters get really active after 9AM and this give chance to have macro session before entering the hides for them. Late June –beginning of July is very good time to visit our drinking pond hides and the best time start after 16PM. The little owls are good after 19PM.
 Most of the birds will be photographed from permanent or mobile hides.
 Usually midday is time for lunch and rest in the hotel. 

 Level of Fitness
Most of the time we will walk slowly and in short distances. Anyway, since we will work in mountain conditions you have to be able to walk in rough terrain for a short time.  For people keen to walk in mountain terrain longer there will be good options of course. 




Weather
The mountain is a good shelter from the hot July days. However, it doesn’t protect us from the sun radiation, especially at noon. Therefore, it is advisable to have hats, sunscreen cream, long-sleeve shirts and sunglasses with you. It is necessary to also carry a jacket in case of rainy or cool weather conditions. Waterproof walking boots are another thing to bring with you.



Cost
Group size:                        2 – 6 photographers
Cost:                                   1900 EUR per person
Single supplement:            150 EUR
Deposit:                             200 EUR

 Price excludes: International flights, travel insurance, alcohol and all items of purely personal nature.