BALD EAGLE Instructional Photo Tours with Robert O’Toole and Arthur Morris

This workshop series is all new and just announced

Workshop one, October 25-29, 2011, 5 DAYS: $3399.

Absolute limit: 10 (plus leaders: Robert O’Toole and Arthur Morris) Openings: 7

Add-on day (Free if you sign up for both IPTs), October 30, 2011, $550

Absolute limit: 10 (plus leaders: Robert O’Toole and Arthur Morris) Openings: 8

Workshop two, October 31-November 4, 2011, 5 DAYS: $3399

Absolute limit: 10 (plus leaders: Robert O’Toole and Arthur Morris) Openings: 8

This workshop is for any serious bird photographer that would like to photograph tons of tame eagles in beautiful natural areas with almost unlimited opportunities away from crowds and other photographers. If you have ever dreamt of an opportunity like this don’t hesitate to call or email now to join.

Two great leaders provide both in-the-field and in-classroom instruction that will include at least two Photoshop sessions. Canon or Nikon we’ve got you covered.  (In-the field instruction only on the Add-on day.)  We expect both of these trips (and the Add-on day) to be sold out shortly.   A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 is required to hold your spot.

If you would like to join me for the experience of a lifetime, please let us know immediately via e-mail or by phone that you will be sending a deposit as I these workshops to sell out.

Email Robert@RobertOToolePhotography.com or call 310.619.8017

What’s included: lots of eagles and lots of instruction.  Ground transportation from the motel to the dock. As above we cover all boat fees and boat-related expenses but for the tips.  Breakfast at the motel. We may be able to pick you up at the airport to save you the cost of a cab.  Note: some folks may wish to rent a vehicle so that they can photograph on their own during free and nap time. This trip will be based in Homer, AK.

What’s not included:  your round trip airfare from home to Homer.  (Driving from Anchorage is recommended only for the adventurous….) The cost of your room.   Meals other than breakfast.

All the images in this post were made last month during my last Bald Eagle workshop series.

Juvenile finishing off a meal, NIKON D700 and SIGMA 150-500 mm APO OS HSM lens @ 380mm, 1/1600 sec at F8, manual metering, no flash, ISO 1000. Subject distance: 11 m. Image Copyright 2011 Robert OToole / Robert OToole Photography.

All content (including text, design, photos, layout, and graphics) are copyright © 2011 Robert OToole. All rights reserved.

March 2011 Bald Eagle workshop series report

Now that I am back in the office and looking back at the last twenty something days in Alaska, its hard to find words to describe them. The three weeks were simply amazing, three sold out workshops, tons of eagles, great weather and unlimited opportunities. Compared to the previous six years, this year has to go down as one of the best. Two of the workshop participants were in the same area to photograph bald eagles in Homer in 2005-2006 and they both agreed the opportunities during this workshop were better by far.

March weather in coastal Alaska can be harsh and very cold but this year we were blessed with mild weather and each of the three groups were lucky enough to have sunny days. As usual I brought my entire lens arsenal, complete with a 500/4 and a couple of new lenses on loan from Sigma USA. My favorite lens camera lens combination for this trip were my D700 and Sigma 150-500 EX OS HSM lens (thanks Sigma USA). I used my standard setting for birds in flight, Manual mode, 1/1250th – 1/2000th of a second at F8. My ISO settings ranged from 200 to 2000. Most workshop participants found the 70-200mm zooms with and without 1.4X converters to be very effective for action while longer lenses were useful for static images and portraits.

This image was made during a session that I will never forget, one of the greatest photography sessions in my life. Warm, soft morning sun, wind at our back, smooth water and an eagle attacking head on. For a bird photographer, this means eagle photography heaven. The only potential problem that goes through your mind in a situation like this, do I have enough memory?

A moment after the LCD review image popped up I sighed with relief when I could see that I avoided any clipped wing tips. The tree line curve follows the wing position nicely.

This image was made at one of my favorite sand banks, only shoot-able on a low or medium tide. I asked our guide and captain to maneuvered the bow of our boat up on to the bank to put my group at eye level with more than a dozen eagles. A special situation to experience to say the least. The soft blue backgrounds at this spot are just superb.

If you would like to join me on the next Bald Eagle workshop series please send me an email right away to be placed on the interest list. The last three workshops sold out quickly. The 2011 workshop details have been finalized and will be announced here within the next 24 hours. Shoot me an  email, Robert at Robert OToole Photography.com,  if you have any questions.