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Costa Rica Photography Workshop Trip Report – 2019

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

  Day 1 As we all arrived San Jose for the 2019 Costa Rica Photography Workshop, we met at our hotel which has some of the most beautiful gardens in the city. We will be sharing the beauty of this country with Steve and Ramona from Colorado Springs, Ted and Cheryl from California, and Rick from Denver. Many of the guests took the opportunity to photograph the gardens and some of the birds that feed on the grounds such as …

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Costa Rica Lowlands Photography Workshop Trip Report

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

Day 1 We began our adventure exploring Costa Rica’s vibrant lower lands. As the guests arrived from the United States to San Jose, Costa Rica they were picked up from the airport and taken to a hotel outside of town that is renowned for its beautiful gardens. Joining us on the Costa Rica Lowland Photography workshop is Debi from Colorado, Sheila from Texas, Margaret from Arizona and Richard from California. As we all met for dinner, we got to know …

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Trip Report – Bald Eagle Photography Workshop 2018 – B

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

Joining us for the 2nd Bald Eagle photography workshop in 2018 was Barry and Paula from Colorado, Ron and Brenda from California, and Joe and Fred from Arizona. We all met in Haines, Alaska and the valley of eagles. Judy, a local guide from Haines, and Matt met all the guests at the ferry terminal as they arrived on Monday. The guests had a beautiful ride on the ferry, although early, they got to watch the sun rise and nature …

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Trip Report – Bald Eagle Photography Workshop 2018 – A

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

Eagles, Eagles and more eagles up close! The 2018 Bald Eagle workshop #1 attendees got to experience the eagles closer than they have ever come to us before. Joining us in beautiful Haines, Alaska was Shari and Kim from Florida, Bella from Texas, Tom and Mary from Minnesota and traveling all the way from South Korea was Myung. Monday was a beautiful day with the sun out and the vertical snow-capped mountains of the Coastal Range glowing with blue-sky backgrounds. …

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Trip Report – Iceland Photography Workshop 2018

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

The 2018 Iceland Photography workshop saw beautiful weather, colorful skies and lots of hiking to remote spots. We had a great group of eager photographers and covered an enormous amount of photographic locations over the week. Joining us was Lin and Sam from California, JJ from Colorado and John from Michigan. Lin and Sam arrived a couple of days early and explored Iceland a bit prior to the trip. John and JJ arrived the morning the workshop started. Saturday The …

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Trip Report – Grizzly Bear Photography Workshops – 2018 – August

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

The 2018 Grizzly Bear group had a great week of beautiful weather with lots of bears at one of the more remote national parks in the United States, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. Joining us is Dee from Nebraska, Tony from Las Vegas, Dan from California, Katherine from Georgia, Maureen from San Diego, Jeff from Oregon, Ingrid from Washington, and Pat from Florida. Dan and Maureen are joining us a second time on the Grizzly Bear trip. Thursday The …

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Trip Report – Grizzly Bear Photography Workshop 2018 – July

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

Bear, bears and more bears. Our 2018 bear trips had excellent numbers of bears, and lots of cubs that call Lake Clark National Park and Preserve their home. As our 2018 Grizzly Bear photography workshop began in Anchorage Alaska, we all met at our hotel right on scenic Lake Hood as the float planes fly above and land. Joining us is Cynthia and Filomena from Toronto Canada, William from South Carolina, Richard and Cathy from Utah, Hilary and Donna from …

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Trip Report – Hummingbirds of Ecuador Photography Workshop 2018 – May

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

Day 1 – Saturday We all meet for dinner at a small birding lodge near the Quito Airport. We have Patrick and Cheryl from Colorado and Bob and Dee from North Carolina joining us for a week of hummingbird photography. As the guests arrive they took the opportunity to do a little birding and see a couple unique species of birds, such as the Black-tailed trainbearer. We had a nice dinner overlooking the birding garden and got to know each …

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Trip Report – Costa Rica Photography Workshop 2018 – April

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

Day 1 (Saturday) The start of another Costa Rica Photo Workshop and I am really excited for this one! I met the group as they gathered at the hotel. From California, we have Dave and Ed. Flying in from Tennessee, we have Dan and Shirley. I can sense the group’s excitement and enthusiasm about the adventure we have embarked on. From the airport, we are transported to the hotel where we will be staying. This place is wonderful! Not only …

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Trip Report – Costa Rica Tropical Lowlands – Birds, Sloths, Monkeys and more

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

We wanted to share our newest travel photography workshop based in Costa Rica. Day 1 : Arrival The start of our Costa Rica Photography Workshop. We landed in San Jose, Costa Rica in the evening after a very pleasant flight. At the airport, we were greeted by my local contacts and then quickly whisked off to the Sarapiqui River region. Located just north of the Braulio Carrillo National Park, the Sarapiqui is a hub for rafters and outdoor enthusiasts with …

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Trip Report – South Texas Bird Photography Workshop 2018 – February

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

We had a great group of guests that traveled South out of the cold and into the warm Texas birding meca of the Rio Grande Valley. We had a great week of photography, and many laughs in between. Below is a recap of our week and everything we photographed. We saw many more species than listed, however I just wanted to list what the group photographed rather than sighted. Day One: Monday, Arrival to South Texas On the day of …

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Trip Report – Grizzly Bear Photography Workshop 2017 – July

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

We had a great week of bear photography, beautiful weather and a great group of nature lovers for the Grizzly Bear photography workshop this July at Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. Over the week we saw and photograph the following bear behaviors: Sow and cubs nursing Cubs playing Bears fishing for salmon Bears standing up Bears clamming in the tidal flats Bears cuddled up and sleeping Sows sharing salmon with cubs Bores fishing Cubs interacting with mothers Below is …

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Trip Report – Bald Eagle Photography Workshop 2016 – November

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

The 2016 Bald Eagle photo workshop in Haines, Alaska had a great turnout with six eager to explore guests from as far as Portugal and Hong Kong. We were joined by local naturalist and guide Judy who calls Haines her home.   Here is what we did each day during the photo workshop: Monday A beautiful clear day with all the rugged mountains out.  The group arrived on the Alaska Marine highway ferry today, and they were treated to a …

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Trip Report – Grizzly Bear Photography Workshop 2016 – August

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

The second Grizzly Bear photo workshop of 2016 was treated to lots of bears clamming and sow/cub play. We had a great group from all over the US that was keen to spend time out with the bears, even when raining.   Some of the bear behaviors we saw during the week: Nursing Clamming Chasing / Protecting Territory Play Fighting Eating Grass Fishing for Salmon Swimming with Cubs Standing on hind legs Growling Walking on Logs Day 1 The trip …

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Trip Report – Grizzly Bear Photography Workshop 2016 – July

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

If you could sum up our 2016 Grizzly Bear photo workshop experience with one word, it would be CUBS! We were treated to a great year of cubs running all around and playing in the beautiful backgrounds that Lake Clark is known for. Most of the sows had families this year, which made for adorable images of the families, and cubs being adorable.   Here is a brief description of our week at beautiful Lake Clark National Park and Preserve …

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Trip Report – Costa Rica Photo Workshop – April 2016

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

The Costa Rica photography workshop had great guests, beautiful weather, and stunning scenery. What else could you ask for! The hummingbirds were in fantastic numbers in 2016 and provided excellent images for everyone. The group of 4, (3 returning guests), consisted of Iain from Australia, Rene from Switzerland, John from the UK, and Maureen from California. Below is a description of the 2016 Costa Rica Photography Workshop: Sunday The group arrived in San Jose, Costa Rica and was then transferred to …

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Trip Report – Moab Astrophotography – March 2016

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

We had a wonderful group of 6 photographers join us for the Moab Astrophotography workshop.  The fantastic weather included warm days, mostly clear skies at night, and some gorgeous sunsets so who could ask for more.  We thoroughly explored and photographed the beautiful area by both day and night.   Some of our favorite stops included 2 national parks, remote Anasazi cliff dwellings and beautiful landscapes with abundant red rock.  In addition, we added some excitement by photographing the the Orion Nebula …

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Trip Report – Bald Eagle Photo Workshop – November 2015

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

The 2015 Bald Eagle photography workshop had great guests, lots of bald eagles, nice weather, and beautiful snowy scenes for the backgrounds of images. The eagles were in good numbers and feasting on the salmon run on the Chilkat river just outside of Haines, Alaska. Our guests this year traveled as far as Switzerland and those from the US were from California and Colorado. Four had taken another workshop previously and for two guest this was their first workshop with …

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Trip Report – Grizzly Bear Photography Workshops – July 2015

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

This year we hosted two Grizzly Bear Photography Workshops in Alaska, at the beautiful Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. We had fantastic guests who were all eager to spend the majority of the time out in the field. We left Anchorage and bordered our three chartered Cessna 206’s, enjoying the 1:15 minute flight to the preserve. We had great views all the way in of the rugged landscape, and before we landed we were already seeing bears.  We landed …

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Trip Report – Bald Eagle Photo Workshop – November 2014

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

We just got back from our annual Bald Eagle Photography Workshop in Haines, Alaska! How time flies… Haines is starting to feel like a second home. As always, the photography workshop was a fun, productive time, and all of our clients went home with many unique pictures of bald eagles that they will hopefully treasure for a long time. The Bald Eagle Photography Workshop is seven days long, and we packed as much as we could into every moment. Monday …

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Trip Report – Grizzly Bear Photography Workshop – July 2014

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

The Year of the Cubs 2014 was the Year of the Cubs at our annual Grizzly Bear Photography Workshop in Alaska’s Lake Clark National Park and Preserve,  Participants encountered nine different grizzly bear cubs with the majority of the cubs were newborn spring cubs, which has us hopeful that we will see them again next year, during our 2015 Grizzly Bear Photography Workshop. This made for lasting memories and excitement for everyone on the trip. Overall we had the privilege of …

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Trip Report – Snowy Owl Photography Tour – July 2014

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

In the winter of 2013 while running my annual Bald Eagle Photography Workshop, I had the privilege of having a client, Dante, fly out from South Africa to participate in the workshop. After completion of the bald eagle workshop, Dante returned to South Africa. However, I guess something about the trip struck a chord with Dante, because a few months later, he contacted me saying that he wanted to participate in my next workshop, the summer session in which I lead a group …

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Trip Report – Bald Eagle Photography Workshop – November 2013

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

I would like to share our 2013 Bald Eagle Photography workshop with you and the activities we did during the week.  I’m always impressed with our great guests who love the outdoors and photography as much as I do and love to spend long days out in the field. Day 1 Today the guests arrived on the Alaskan Marine Highway ferry from Juneau to Haines on the M/V Malaspina. Many have already been enjoying the sites in Juneau over the …

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Trip Report – Hummingbirds of Ecuador Photography Workshop – June 2013

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

What a great week of photographing hummingbirds in Ecuador.  I want to take a moment and share our activities for the week and share a couple of images. As our guests Ted, Cheryl and Tom arrived in Quito prior to the hummingbird photography workshop, a little fun exploring was had by all. Many explored the historic district of Quito which has one of the largest, best preserved historic areas in the world. In 1978 UNESCO declared the first World Cultural …

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Trip Report – Grizzly Bears of Alaska Photography Workshop – July 2013

In Trip Report by Matt Shetzer

What a great trip and fantastic guests !!!!   We have never had so much field time as we did this week due to the cooperative weather and eager to photograph guests.  With all the Alaskan summer light, we were able to be in the field on average 13-14 hours per day, enabling great pictures of Alaskan Grizzly Bears, or Brown Bears.  During the week, we were fortunate to watch and photograph the bears eating, nursing their young, cubs playing, …