The Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. Its range
includes most of Canada and Alaska, all of the contiguous United States, and
northern Mexico. It is found near large bodies of open water with an abundant
food supply and old-growth trees for nesting.
The Bald Eagle is an opportunistic feeder which consists mainly on
fish, which it swoops down and snatches from the water with its talons. It
builds the largest nest of any North American bird and the largest tree nests
ever recorded for any animal species, up to 4 meters (13 ft) deep, 2.5 meters
(8.2 ft) wide, and one metric ton (1.1 tons) in weight.
Bald Eagles are not actually bald; the name derives from an older
meaning of "white headed". The adult is mainly brown with a white
head and tail. The sexes are identical in plumage, but females are larger than
males. The beak is large and hooked.
The Bald Eagle's natural range covers most of North America, including
most of Canada, all of the continental United States, and into northern Mexico.
It is the only sea eagle endemic to North America. Occupying varied habitats
from the bayous of Louisiana to the Sonoran Desert and the eastern deciduous
forests of Quebec, to New England, and heavy populations along the Pacific
Northwest States of the USA and Provinces of Canada.
The northern birds are migratory, while southern birds are resident,
remaining on their breeding territory all year. At minimum population, in the
1950s, it was largely restricted to Alaska, the Aleutian Islands, northern and
eastern Canada, and Florida. Today, they are much more common (almost attaining
their peak numbers pre-colonization in North America), and nest in every
continental state and province in the United States and Canada.
Northern Bald Eagles will also congregate in certain locations in
winter. From November until February, one to two thousand birds winter in
Squamish, British Columbia, about halfway between Vancouver and Whistler.
Another 5,000 to 8,000 winter in the Harrison and Fraser River area of British
Columbia. This area is between Chilliwack and Harrison Hot Springs. The birds
primarily gather along the BC Rivers as they are attracted by the salmon
spawning in these areas.
Every year we run a few Bald Eagle Workshops for amateur photographers.
These photo workshops center in on the largest bald eagle migration in North
America. Between 2000 to 8000 bald eagles find their way to this area beginning
in October to feed on the spawning salmon. They then stay in the area until
later in the winter months to have their young before returning to their summer
area in Northern BC and the Yukon.
Your guides(s) for this tour will guide you to the best locations for
photographing the eagles in the Fraser Valley that is surrounded by the Cascade
Mountain range. This is the fourth year we have returned to this location and
Kevin lived within 30 miles of this location for three years prior to running
workshops here.
We will also visit between peak eagle viewing time. We have seen the
following species at these locations in previous years: Snowy Owl, Red Tailed
Hawk, Pacific Loon, Red Throated loon, Grebe, Golden Eyes, Wood Ducks, Sandhill
Cranes, Herons, Buffleheads, Mergansers, Egrets, Snow Geese, Mute Swans, Rough
Legged Hawk, Canvas Back, Golden Eagles, Peregrine Falcon, Virginia Rail,
Common Snipe and Great Horned Owl.
White trumpeter swans and snow geese also converge on the productive
Harrison region every winter. These birds migrate to the Harrison Valley during
the cold winter months, feeding mostly on corn left over from the fall harvest.
Trumpeter swans and snow geese are often spotted swimming in the region’s many
sloughs or feeding in the corn fields along the roads we drive on during the
workshop.
Dates of Workshops: November 20 to November 24, 2016 and November 26 to November 30, 2016
The cost for the five day workshop is $2675CAD (approx $1995USD) and $324CAD for a single
room
To reserve a spot, a $1000CAD deposit per reservation. The final installment to be made 90 days
prior to the start of the workshop.
Guides for these workshops: Kevin Allen Pepper and Chris Pepper
The Maximum attendees per session are 6, the minimum attendees per
session are 3. Bring your non-photographer spouse for $595CAD as there is a spa in
Harrison with many sightseeing opportunities. (includes their accommodation and
the same meals that are included in your workshop)
The tour cost includes all the following: Shared accommodation at a
local hotel along the beach. A welcome meeting/dinner with your fellow
photographers and your guides. All breakfasts, Daily snack lunches and drinks
while on location, dinners, Personal hides to use during the workshop.
Instruction in the field with your photographer guides with a maximum of 3
photographers per guide, Image critique (optional)
The tour cost does not include: International or domestic airfare.
Travel Insurance, Alcohol, Items of personal nature, Anything not outlined as
included. We begin the tour with a welcome meeting in the afternoon of day one
as we get to know everyone and discuss the plans for the coming days. For the
next five days we will make frequent visits to the different viewing grounds.
Once on site, your instructors will utilize their knowledge of the area and the
eagles; then guide you to that perfect location for obtaining your “once in a
lifetime” shot in the picturesque British Columbia scenery.
We can also head out to some of BC's pristine landscape and waterfall
photography locations in the lower mainland of British Columbia.
The tour size is limited to six photographers so you can count on
minimal interruption throughout your journey in British Columbia. The maximum
attendee to instructor ration is 3-1
What you will learn: We will focus on planning for a successful bird of
prey shoot... from clothing, to gear, to positioning and planning techniques.
When we are out photographing raptors 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 hotel we will then open up our laptops and
discuss editing techniques to achieve sharper images, composition from cropping
and introduce you to some techniques we use to create more appealing images.
Day One Events - Pick Up attendees from the Abbotsford Airport in
Abbotsford, British Columbia and transported to our Hotel in Harrison Hot
Springs. You should arrive to be picked up before 11am.
Meet and Greet Lunch for group at resort (included) after a photography
shoot session with the eagles along the shores of the rivers.
Day Two Events - Today we will be visiting all our scouted locations
where the eagles traditionally hunt and rest. Expect to be out photographing
eagles from 730am till 330pm.
Night time editing session to look at your photos and help you make
adjustments to capture better photos in the coming days
Full Breakfast / juice and snacks during the day and dinner is included
Day Three Events - Half of the day we will spend at the Delta Dykes or
George C Reifel Bird Sanctuary and the other half of the day we will be
visiting our scouted areas where the eagles traditionally hunt and rest.
Night time editing session to look at your photos and help you make
adjustments to capture better photos.
Full Breakfast / juice and snacks during the day and dinner is included
Day Four Events - Today we will be visiting all our scouted locations
where the eagles traditionally hunt and rest. Expect to be out photographing
eagles from 730am till 330pm.
Night time editing session to look at your photos and help you make
adjustments to capture better photos.
Full Breakfast / juice and snacks during the day and dinner is included
Day Five Events - We will be out photographing eagles at the various
locations we have scouted until noon. After that we will take you to the
airport. Please schedule your departures after 3pm and you will be transported
to airport after one last morning photographing the eagles along the flats of
the river’s edge.
Full Breakfast is included
If you are ready to see the largest Bald Eagle Migration in North
America, or have some questions, please visit the link below.
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