Bosque del Apache and White Sands National Park, December 7-11, 2024 photo workshop
With Rod Barbee & Cliff Zenor
December 7-11, 2024 (limited to 12)
Socorro and Alamogordo, NM
Optional BOSQUE EXTENSION for Dec 11-13
We have rooms saved. This would not be part of the workshop. See below for more information.
$1965
Immerse yourself in the wildlife and the wild landscapes of New Mexico.
Bosque
At Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, we'll experience the amazing annual gathering of wild birds in their premiere wintering grounds of the West. The Refuge offers dawn-to-dusk opportunities among thousands of Sandhill cranes, Snow geese and other migratory birds.
Biologists, rangers and experienced photographers are surprised how comfortable the birds are around people here. This means we can respectfully approach usually-wary subjects and capture their natural behaviors in their native habitat.
We will photograph birds in groups and individually in flight, while they forage, and at rest. We'll get to the Refuge early so we’re ready for predawn light and the mass fly-outs in the morning. In the afternoon, we'll photograph the cranes and geese as they fly in from their feeding grounds to their overnight roosting ponds.
Consider this a prime location for long-lens wildlife photography. Even though many birds are tolerant of nearby viewers, some of the situations are best captured with 400mm to 600mm telephoto lenses. You'll be provided with a thorough packing list when you register.
The days include daily sunrise/morning and afternoon/sunset field trips that may be extended when conditions are good. Expect a few midday classroom sessions and image reviews as well as field lessons on location.
Many photographers say this powerful experience has been on their destination wish list, but it is more remarkable than they had dreamed.
An Optional Extension
We planned on offering an Optional 2-Day Extension back in the Refuge after our days in White Sands to photograph two more mornings and two more evenings with a classroom session included.
However, due to a refuge policy of not issuing permits during the Festival of Cranes (this year's festival is scheduled Dec. 11-15), we will not be able to offer this extension after all.
(And yes, we should have known this. And we would have if the festival dates had been posted before we planned the dates for this workshop.)
However, we have already made hotel arrangements so rooms are saved in a block. This means you could still go to the refuge on your own if you wish. There would just be no formal workshop and no additional cost.
White Sands National Park
In White Sands National Park, we'll explore the Chihuahuan desert's graphic landscapes and intimate details among the rare gypsum sand dunes of White Sands National Park. December offers the low-angled light and desirable conditions that reveal the dunes environment's simple beauty.
The park's expansive dunes are both stark and sensual. Sweeping panoramas stretch from your toes to the horizon. Dune ridges and ripples catch the light and cast curving shadows. This landscape asks to be photographed in both color and black and white.
Our days will include morning and afternoon field trips with midday classroom sessions and image reviews. Expect to be in the park early enough to prepare for the pre-dawn glow and first light. Afternoon outings will last until the light fades over the dunes and the nearby San Andres mountains.
This is the landscape portion of the workshop. With subjects from the grand vistas to intimate details, plan on packing a wide range of lenses from wide-angle zooms to longer telephoto zooms. Add a macro lens for close ups and desert details. You'll be provided with a thorough packing list when you register.
Since this workshop is led by two experienced photographers, you can expect to get lots of personal attention in the field and in the classroom.
Our lodging locations are Days 1 and 2 in Socorro, Days 3 and 4 in Alamogordo, then the optional Extension Days 5 and 6 are back in Socorro.
Our days in Socorro for Bosque. On Day 1, we'll meet at the hotel at 2:00 pm for orientation, 3:00pm room check-in, then off to the Refuge for the afternoon through sunset. Day 2 will include sunrise and morning light, a midday classroom session, and back to the Refuge for afternoon light and sunset. On Day 3, we'll photograph sunrise and morning light before we depart for Alamogordo.
Our days in Alamogordo for White Sands. On Day 3, we'll meet at the hotel at 2:00 pm for orientation, check-in, then off to the Park for afternoon light and sunset. Day 4 will include sunrise and morning light, a midday classroom session, and back the Park for afternoon light and sunset. On Day 5, we'll photograph sunrise and morning light, then we'll say our farewell after breakfast.
For those opting to return to Bosque, Cliff and I would be spending the night of the 11th in Socorro and will be planning on shooting on our own that afternoon and possibly the next morning. You would be more than welcome to join us.
Pricing
The price of the Bosque/White Sands workshop is $1965 ($1899 if paying both deposit and balance by check or Zelle)
The optional extension back to Bosque (see above) is priced at $590 ($570 if paying by check or Zelle).
The price includes personalized instruction, honest evaluation of your work, location expertise, and of course, ample teasing.
Prices do not include lodging, meals, transportation, or trip cancellation insurance (see below).
Visit the Sign Up Page for details on paying by check.
Lodging
We'll be staying in Socorro and Alamogordo.
In Socorro we have a block of rooms at the Holiday Inn Express ($134/night +tax).
In Alamogordo we have a block of rooms at the Fairfield Inn ($119/night + tax).
Upon signing up you'll be sent information on making your hotel reservations in our group blocks.
If you plan on arriving before the workshop or staying on afterwards for continued exploring, We highly recommend that you make your reservations early.
The workshop begins on the afternoon of the 7th at 2 p.m. for orientation, room check-in and then our first outing with the birds. The workshop ends after the morning shoot on the 11th.
Getting There
The closest major airport to Socorro is Albuquerque International Sunport, which is a little over an hour to Socorro.
The closest airport to Alamogordo is El Paso International Airport.
The drive time between Socorro and Alamogordo is a little over two hours.
Your instructors:
Cliff Zenor is a long-time photo workshop and tour leader who has led trips in the US, Canada, Africa, the Galapagos and more for companies such as Great American Photography Workshops (GAPW), Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Visionary Wild, and The Ansel Adams Gallery, either leading on his own or teaming with such notables as John Shaw, Jack Dykinga, David Middleton, and Bill Fortney.
His photos have been featured in magazines such as Outdoor Photographer, Horticulture, Fine Gardening and many more.
In the field, Cliff is one of the best teachers you can come across. He’s easy going, encouraging, enthusiastic and an all-around good guy.
Rod Barbee has been leading and co-leading photo workshops and tour nearly 18 years. Not quite as long as Cliff has. In fact, his first real job as a photo workshop leader was teaming up with Cliff for a GAPW workshop in Olympic National Park way back in 2001.
Since then he’s led or co-led trips in the US, Canada, and Iceland. Rod’s photos have been featured in Outdoor Photographer, Nature Photographer, Oregon Coast, and Northwest Travel magazines. He’s the co-author of The Photographer’s Guide to the Oregon Coast and the author of The Photographer’s Guide to Puget Sound and Northwest Washington.
Rod Barbee Photography is an Authorized Permittee of Bosque National Wildlife Refuge and the National Park Service.
What's included
- Personalized instruction
- Honest evaluation of your work (workshops)
- Location expertise
- Ample teasing
Travel Insurance
We understand that sometimes folks need to make cancellations due to illness, family emergencies, etc.
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide refunds or credit for cancellations less than 90-days out from a trip. Nor will full refunds be issued in cases of Force Majeure (see cancellation policies).
We therefore highly recommend trip insurance that includes a "Cancel for any Reason" provision.
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