Rio Grande Valley Bird and Wildlife Photo Workshop
Great Nature Photography in Deep South Texas. Songbirds, Small Birds in Flight, Raptors, Macro & Shallow Water Photography!
Date and time
Location
Laguna Seca Ranch
32635 Laguna Seca Edinburg, TX 78541Refund Policy
About this event
Four Full Days of Songbird, Raptor & Shorebird Photography in the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas.
Per Person Rate: $1,650.00 ($450.00 Non-Refundable Deposit)
About This Event:
Limited to a maximum of just five photographers, trip participants will discover the beauty and wonder of South Texas’ best wildlife and birding photography ranches. The Laguna Seca Ranch is set in the natural beauty of the native environment of the sub-tropical region found along the border with Mexico and the Rio Grande River. With Wayne Williams as your workshop leader, participants have one-on-one access to information about the wildlife of the Rio Grande Valley and wildlife photographic instruction.
Workshop Leader and Guide:
Wayne Williams was born in Western Canada and spent years in the interior of British Columbia and The Yukon. Having recently relocated to Wake Forest, North Carolina, after a long stint in McAllen, Texas, he returns to the Rio Grande Valley as often as possible to guide and capture images of the amazing wildlife. His work has been highly recognized in wildlife photography contests and published in prestigious online magazines and publications. He guides on wildlife ranches and outdoor venues in the RGV and provides personalized photography instruction and classes. You can see his wildlife photography at www.waynewilliamsphotography.com or on his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/waynewilliamswildlife/
Bird Species Expected:
During this trip, species will include, but not be limited to, Painted Bunting, Green Jay (South Texas Specialty), Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia, Golden Fronted Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Great Kiskadee, Black-crested Titmouse, Olive Sparrow, Lincoln Sparrow, Brown Pelican, Turkey, and Black Vulture, Harris’s Hawk, White-tail Hawk, Crested Caracara, various Dove Species, Wading Birds, various Shorebirds, Brown and White Pelican, Black Skimmer, various Warblers and Orioles, and American Alligator.
Teaching and photography direction will be provided as needed or requested throughout the four days, so you'll be sure to return home with memorable images from each location we visit. A brief macro session and a saltwater flats session will teach participants the basics of both these genres of photography.
The workshop will begin and end in Edinburg, Texas, just a short drive from the McAllen International Airport, with a morning trip to South Padre Island, ninety minutes east of the McAllen International Airport, and a mid-day trip to The National Butterfly Center in Mission, Texas just thirty minutes from Edinburg.
Participants should plan to arrive in McAllen on May 10th, before 5 pm local time, to allow time to pick up transportation, check in to accommodation, and arrive at Trevino’s Restaurant, Edinburg Texas, for the 7:00 pm Workshop Orientation and Dinner, included in the price of the workshop.
Workshop Venues:
The Laguna Seca Ranch is comprised of 700 acres of pristine South Texas brushland. Since the acquisition of the ranch in 2002, they have been inspired to provide a high-quality photography experience for wildlife enthusiasts worldwide. They are constantly finding ways to improve our business and are motivated by all South Texas nature has to offer. A choice of two morning and two afternoon blinds allows for the best photography opportunities regardless of most weather conditions. Three raptor blinds allow for raised, ground-level, and sunken vistas of the perches and meadow beyond. Recently added is a one-person blind within ten (10) feet of the raptor perches for close-up wide-angle image captures! On-site washroom facilities and a covered palapa area with picnic tables are also available for participant use during the day.
South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary is located on the Laguna Madre side of SPI and is home to many species including the Brown Pelican, White Ibis, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Little Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, Red-winged Blackbirds, Roseate Spoonbill, Reddish Egret, Clapper Rail, Willet, Mottled Duck, Sandpipers, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Common Gallinule, Black-necked Stilt, Ruddy Turnstone, and American Alligators.
The National Butterfly Center This 100-acre native plant botanical garden and wildlife preserve has been established by the North American Butterfly Association to advance our mission of education and conservation. The NBC relies entirely on donations and income from operations to support this wild butterfly sanctuary, in the butterfly capital of the country!
Per Person Rate: $1,650.00 ($450.00 Non-Refundable Deposit)
Price Includes:
- Welcome and Orientation Dinner May 10, at 7:00 p.m. in Edinburg, Texas at Trevino’s Restaurant.
- Final Day Lunch at Los Venados Store in Linn, Texas.
- Seven photography sessions at The Laguna Seca Ranch (Songbirds/Raptors) Seven different blinds
- One early afternoon photography session at the National Butterfly Center in Mission Texas
- One early morning wading bird and shorebird photography session at South Padre Island
- Cold bottled water in photography blinds and venues.
- Perch setup and bird food
- Camera and nature instruction (Songbirds birds in flight)
- Camera Macro Photography: Basic Steps Overview Session
- Camera and Saltwater Flats Photography (SPI)
- Entrance to South Padre Island Birding, (1-2 hours)
- Entrance to the National Butterfly Center.
Price Does Not Include:
- Flights to McAllen, TX
- Accommodations
- Transportation
- Meals (Except as indicated on itinerary)
- Gratuities
- Trip Insurance (Mandatory)
- Personal snacks and drinks
Workshop Itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrival in McAllen, TX
7:00 p.m. Welcome Orientation Dinner (Included)
- Day 2: 6:00 - 10:30 a.m. The Laguna Seca Ranch (Caracara/Harris’s Hawks/Raptor Blinds)
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Lunch and Mid-Day Rest Break (On your own)
1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Macro Photography Basics Overview
3:30 p.m.- Dusk The Laguna Seca Ranch (Songbirds/Beaver Pond Blind)
- Day 3: 6:00 - 10:30 a.m. The Laguna Seca Ranch (Caracara/Harris’s Hawks/Raptor Blinds)
10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Lunch and 01:30p-2:30p The National Butterfly Center (included)
3:30 p.m. - Dusk The Laguna Seca Ranch (Songbirds/Beaver Pond Blind)
- Day 4: 5:00 a.m. Depart McAllen for South Padre Island (Salt Marsh/Flats)
6:30 - 9:00 a.m. Saltwater flats photographing wading and shore birds. (Low Angle Imaging Overview)
9:00 - 10:30 a.m. South Padre Island Birding, Nature & Alligator Sanctuary (included)
10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Lunch and Mid-Day Rest Break (On your own - return trip to LSR)
3:30 p.m. - Dusk The Laguna Seca Ranch (Songbirds/Beaver Pond Blind)
- Day 5: 6:00 - 10:30 a.m. The Laguna Seca Ranch (Caracara/Harris’s Hawks/Raptor Blinds)
10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Lunch & Mid-Day Rest Break (Lunch Provided & Trip Debrief)
03:30 p.m. - Dusk The Laguna Seca Ranch (Songbirds/Beaver Pond Blind)
7:00 p.m. - Workshop Conclusion
Administrative Details: Transportation to and from the city of McAllen, Texas must be provided by participants, and arrival must be scheduled prior to the start of the event. Airport pickup is not included in the cost of the event. Various auto rental companies are available for event participants inside the airport terminal close to the baggage carousels.
Accommodation during the event is the responsibility of each participant. Once an event ticket has been purchased, participants will receive a packet of information about excellent hotel choices for arranging accommodation while in the city of Edinburg, Texas. Airbnb is another option for finding clean, affordable lodging close to all amenities and services in the area.
Meals, drinks, and snacks may be purchased by participants at local grocery outlets.
Participants will receive a complete pre-trip list on payment of the $450 deposit of suggested photographic gear, clothing, and additional gear appropriate to the May climate in South Texas as well as additional suggestions to make the trip comfortable and enjoyable.
Workshop Deposits are non-refundable and full workshop balance payment must be made 60 days prior to the start of the workshop. Once paid, no refunds will be made, however full credit to future workshops can be arranged.
Please get in touch with South Texas Wildlife Photography Workshop organizer, Wayne Williams, at 956-867-7877 by messaging, or send an email to Wayne by using the Contact button below or directly to wayne@waynewilliamsphotography.com with any questions before purchasing a ticket.
Images from the Laguna Seca Ranch and the Laguna Madre at South Padre Island below and in the Workshop Header collages were captured by Wayne Williams during recent workshops.