Maximum 6 photographers, just being announced after a great 2009 trip...

Based on the continued success of the Lens and Land ranches in the Rio Grande Valley and the great trip we all had this year and last year(a sold out safari with a full set of satisfied participants), I'm pleased to announce that I'll be leading another photo safari to the Lens and Land ranches next April. We'll have 5 days of shooting (including several days at the premier Dos Venadas ranch which is only open to guided groups) and other nearby Lens and Land and other private ranches.

South Texas is a unique location and the best place I've ever found to photograph those elusive North American woodland bird and raptor species that have eluded your "life photo" list.

The safari fee of $2250 includes all local transportation (we'll commute to the ranches by van, which helps keep the birds habituated versus a string of cars and allows us to chat & answer questions on the way to and from each shoot), ranch fees (these are private properties which the owners have put a tremendous amount of effort into making bird photography paradise, so shooting on them is not inexpensive), and photo instruction, both in the field and workshop sessions on digital workflow and image editing. We are also providing accomodations at a nearby luxury game lodge for $1550 per person double occupancy, including all meals and drinks as well as lodging for the six nights.

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Trip Background:

Green Jay
Nikon D2H, 200-400f/4

Moose Peterson and I were fortunate enough to be able to spend a few days shooting on the Lens & Land ranches in 2006, including the Martin's properties and Steve's ranch. In my case I was looking for new destinations for my photo safaris as well as great images of hard to get species for my own files and after a week there I was totally sold. The species diversity combined with the improvements made for photographers and the local hospitality make the location a no-brainer winner. In a few days of shooting we got stunning images and captured commercial quality images of 39 species of woodland birds. This year I brought a group of participants back for another exciting week. Texas had more rain this year so in addition to the birds we were treated to a stunning display of blooming cactus flowers.

At all the ranches the feeding and watering stations were well designed with attractive backgrounds. In a semi-desert area like southern Texas water in particular is an incredible bird magnet. Birds you could spend days trying to find in the open will flock to a drip watering station. This enabled us to get nearly non-stop action most of the time. Several ranches also put out carrion at feeding stations designed to bring in raptors including the unique and colorful Crested Caracara and the hard to find Harris's Hawk.

Green-tailed Towhee
Nikon D2H, 200-400f/4

I'm always sceptical about photo blinds. There are so many ways to build them wrong that they can often be more trouble than they are worth. But the blinds on the Lens & Land properties are a joy to use. They are comfortable, with chairs and even outdoor carpeting in some. And using the blinds allowed us to be quite close to the action at the carefully situated feeders and watering holes. That not only allowed us to photograph some species which might not have approached if we were out in the open but allowed me to be very effective with my 200-400mm lenses--while allowing those participants with 500's or 600's plenty of room to work.

Painted Bunting
Nikon D2H, 200-400f/4 

Bronzed Cowbird
Nikon D2H, 200-400f/4 

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(the trip has sold for three straight years, so try to plan soon!)

For more information:
E-mail: safaris [at] cardinalphoto.com
or Call +1.650.851.8350