Robert OToole Photography

Robert OToole Photography

Dalmatian Pelican Workshop

Northern Greece, Feb 6-11, 2012.  Six full days.  $2799. Deposit $799.

3 photographers/boat. Be at the workshop hotel on the late afternoon or early evening of Feb 5, 2012.

Example

Dalmatian Pelican on the hunt for fish, Northern Greece, Nikon D700 with Sigma APO 50-500mm F5-6.3 OS HSM @ 1116mm.  1/1600, F8.0, ISO 1000. image copyright © 2011 Robert OToole.

My first trip to Greece to photograph these amazing birds was one of my best trip ever and the first workshop I led there with Arthur Morris was almost too good to be true. The biggest problem the participants and leaders had was trying to keep from filling all of our memory cards. Join us in 2012 for a great opportunity to photograph these awesome birds.

Arthur Morris, my friend and collegue and the co-leader of the 2011 trip had this to say on his blog: BirdsAsArtBlog

” Greece: Oh My God!”

“My dreams of Lake Kerkini were realized in a single day. The place is far more productive than I ever dreamed it could be. And the birds are spectacular and tame. And the group is fantastic. And the food, oh my God. Healthy food made to order with eggplant for me!
Oh, did I mention that the hotel is fantastic too? …..The photography was as good and as exciting as any I have done in my 28 years.”

This workshops will offer morning and evening in the field instructional photography sessions from shore and from a boat. Afternoon’s we will be spending time on image optimization and friendly helpful critique sessions as a group and one on one.

Workshop size is limited to 6 participants, this small group size will insure plenty of time for personal one on one instruction from the leader.

Workshop highlights include:

  • Our location in Norther Greece offers some of the finest opportunities for Dalmatian Pelican photography in Europe .
  • Plenty of photography time in-the-field with two photography sessions per day. During the workshop we will be making 2 daily trips out on the lake with 3 participants per boat. We will also be shooting from shore when the conditions are right.
  • Indoor instructional session each day.
  • The small group size of 6 will give each participant the best photographic value return for your money.
  • Plenty of one-on-one time with the leader for personal help and assistance.
  • Canon and Nikon users are welcome and the leader has professional level experience with both systems.
  • The workshop location is in norther Greece and easy to reach, only 45 minutes by air from Athens.
  • The workshop headquarters will be located at a family owned hotel with Wifi and great restaurants within 100 feet.
  • Opportunities to Photograph other species such as Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus), pygmy cormorant, Eurasian spoonbill, great cormorant in breeding plumage and others.

Workshop fee: $2799.00

Deposit: $799 (Non-refundable unless the tour fills with 6). You can pay with check or credit card.

Final payment: $2000 due November 6th, 2012

A non-refundable deposit of $799 is required to hold a spot for this workshop (Non-refundable unless the tour fills with 6). Deposits may be paid by check, or credit card.  If you are unable to attend the workshop, after paying the balance, the balance payment will be refunded ONLY if your spot can be filled, on short notice, from the waiting list.

Travel insurance is highly recommended.

Included: Instruction, cost of the ground transportation, boats and fish.  With only six photographers there will be lots of time for instruction.

Not included: Air fare, hotels, and meals.

Example

Dalmatian Pelican launching into flight, Northern Greece, Nikon D700 with Sigma APO 50-500mm F5-6.3 OS HSM @ 170mm. 1/2000, F8.0, ISO 200. image copyright © 2011 Robert OToole.

Why the Dalmatian pelican? These birds are just amazing to photograph, they have some of the most beautiful plumage and colors during the breeding season and their the huge size and interesting feeding behaviors makes them superb subjects for the nature photographer.

How big are they? The Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) is largest of the pelicans and they are the world’s heaviest flying species on average and have more than 10 foot wingspan. To give you an idea of just how enormous these birds are lets compare them to the Brown pelican that is so common here in the US. The Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is the smallest of the eight species of pelican, although it is a large bird in nearly every other regard they range from 3.5 – 4.5 feet in length and weigh from 6.1 to 12 lb and have a wingspan from 6.0 to 8.2 ft . The Dalmatian pelicans, average  5.5 – 6.25 feet in length and a whopping 24-33 lbs in weight and have a huge 10 ft plus wingspan.

Colors and plumage? These birds have the most amazing breeding coloration,  a black bill with a bright red bill pouch and a bright orange lore and large white eyes.  They are most well known for the curly nape feathers, and gray/silver-white (rather than pure white) plumage.

During the breeding season from sunrise to sunset these huge birds spend an enormous amount of time hunting and fishing so the photographic opportunities are just superb. Beach shooting of near shore feeding and territorial disputes is excellent. Photography from out on the lake on chartered boats is even better.

Please contact Robert at robert@robertotoolephotography.com to register or for more information.

Example

Dalmatian Pelican banking, Northern Greece, Nikon D700 with Sigma APO 50-500mm F5-6.3 OS HSM @ 95mm. 1/2000, F8.0, ISO 1600. image copyright © 2011 Robert OToole.

Example

Dalmatian Pelican portrait, Northern Greece, Nikon D700 with Sigma APO 50-500mm F5-6.3 OS HSM @ 420mm. 1/1600, F8.0, ISO 400. image copyright © 2011 Robert OToole.

Example

Dalmatian Pelican portrait, Northern Greece, Nikon D700 with Sigma APO 50-500mm F5-6.3 OS HSM @ 1.78 m. 1/640, F8.0, ISO 500. image copyright © 2011 Robert OToole.

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