2021 Full Week Common Loon Workshop
These beautiful birds offer the avid photographer plenty of opportunity to photograph them in their natural habitat.
"Kevin’s (K1) accessibility to answer my questions regarding gear, scope and expectations made me quickly realize that this is more of a passion than a business for Kevin. The accommodations are resort like…..a brand new cottage with all the amenities on a beautiful secluded lake. Kevin is quite a cook! Delicious plentiful home cooked meals. Kevin’s knowledge of the Lake and Loon habits made for an enjoyable easy weekend resulting in plenty of “keeper” shots. Kevin did not stop until we were satisfied. I did not consider the weekend a workshop but rather a weekend at the cottage where I spent time photographing Loons, eating and drinking with friends with some photo post processing in between. Kevin…thanks for the great time and I hope to see you next year." - Nando T.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
Loons are not an easy bird to photograph. Between their fast movements and stark contrast in black and white plumage, capturing these majestic birds requires patience and proper positioning.
We will help you get to the right spot at the right time to help you go home with the photos you wanted to achieve.
We will focus on planning for a successful shoot... from clothing, to gear, to positioning and planning techniques.
When we are out photographing the loons we will discuss camera settings, holding your camera properly and what settings to consider using to maximize the number of shots that you consider a "keeper".
We will also discuss bird habits to watch for to increase your success.
When we return to the cottage each evening, we will then open up our laptops and discuss editing techniques. Such as, how to achieve sharper images, composition from cropping and introduce you to some techniques we use to create more appealing images.
WHERE YOU WILL STAY:
You will stay in our custom built home that is equipped with all the amenities of home, plus more. This location comes equipped with the perfect sized boat to get you out on the water with the Loons. The vantage point from the boat delivers breathtaking images of these glorious birds from their level. Around the property there has been numerous feeders placed skillfully to attract various bird species. Some of these include, but not limited to Blue Jay, Nuthatches, Verio, Hummingbirds and Cardinals. On the lake you may also spot, Blue Heron, Mergansers, Canada Geese, Pileated Woodpeckers, Barred Owls, and Kingfishers.
Why you should photograph loons with us:
Kevin will to the best of his ability put you in the right place at the right time. Learning how loons behave, knowing the lake all contribute to why our workshops have successful results.
Located in the Kawarthas, an area positioned one and a half hours north east of Toronto, both water and land are equally impressive. The shimmering lakes and rivers that offer breathtaking sun rises and sunsets are abundant and are home to an abundance of wildlife.
The Kawarthas also boasts fish-rich waters and an abundance of water fowl such as the Common Loon. Our destination, Lake Salerno continues to be home to migratory Loons that keep coming back year after year. These beautiful birds offer the avid photographer plenty of opportunity to photograph them in their natural habitat.
The numbers of Loons that we track every year total a minimum of 2-4 mating pairs on each of the local lakes. We have timed their patterns and have identified their nests to ensure that we get you to the right spot, at the right time to achieve the best photography opportunities under the best light.
We also offer you a very stable boat that is ideal for Loon photography. The boat offers 4 comfortable seats designed for low angle photography. The boat has a flat floor as well as an outboard motor that will get us to our destination quickly. When we arrive we will get you in close to the loons & offer you up close photo opportunities that you won’t get on your own.
Date: May 13th to 19th
June 17th to 23rd
July 8th to 14th
Instructor: Kevin K. Pepper (K1)
Price: 2495 Canadian Plus HST
Number of attendees: Maximum 3
Included: Six nights’ single accommodation at our private home, seven breakfasts, snacks, dinner on six nights, all beverages inc.
ITINERARY:
Day One Events: Airport or hotel pickups no later then 12 noon on Monday, if you can not make the deadline you will have to rent a car or arrange transportation to join us. We will arrive at our destination in the afternoon to settle in. That night is all about getting to know each other and hopefully getting out for our first loon session or walk down to the water for some night waterscapes and sunset photography in the local forest, or over the lake.
Day Two & Three & Four & Five & Six Events: We will be on the water for the early morning light and by mid-morning we will return in order to rest and have some breakfast. Our next loon outing will be in the late afternoon in some prime light, bring lots of memory cards as people have been known to erase images to take more.
Over the course of the week we will arrange the days according to the weather. Day trips will involve the following.
Action photography at the Olympic Kayak run in Minden.
For those that wish, we can also go photograph the wolves at Haliburton Wild Life Preserve, one of the best chances you will get to photograph wolves in a natural setting.
Day trip to Algonquin, here we have the possibility to photograph, Black bear, Moose, Red Fox, Barred Owls, Common Loons, Grey Jays, Blue Jays, Eastern Wolf, Coyote. The park holds some pristine landscapes that will make your friends jealous they didn't join you.
We have a ATV on site we can drive off the lot and hit some of the trails around the lake. On past experiences we have come across, Moose, Black Bear, Wolves, Fox and lots of Birds. These trails take you off the beaten path where wildlife is in its most natural habitat.
Our location is away from major cities so night photography is always an option. It is not uncommon to photograph the milky way while hearing Loons or barred owls call over the lake.
Did we forget to say we have humming birds? With feeders set up optimally around the deck the 9:30 to 10am sun is optimal to light for a Ruby throated humming bird.
Other small birds will fly in throughout the day at the other feeders, chipmunks and squirrels will make their visits as well. Creating some funny antics almost like a comedy routine.
Day Seven Events: The last morning offers you one last time to get out on the water to follow the Loons before returning for a final breakfast and your departure home in the afternoon. We will depart by noon so please book your flights out at 5pm or later.
