Jocotoco

SOUTHERN ECUADOR: HUMMINGBIRDS ANTPITTAS, TANAGERS AND MORE!

  • DATE: Feb 15-27, 2024 - SOLD OUT
  • MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE: 6 Photographers (Minimum of 4)
  • FROM: Guayaquil, Ecuador
  • WORKSHOP LEADERS: Glenn Bartley

EMAIL GLENN TO JOIN THE WISH LIST FOR 2026

AN INTRODUCTION TO THIS PHOTO WORKSHOP

Ecuador is a country that is blessed with absolutely staggering biological diversity. We've been running trips to the country now for 8 years and each workshop seems to find new and wonderful things to photograph. For a long time I've been planning to develop a second Ecuador tour to the southern part of the country that I visited and enjoyed way back in 2009. Finally the time has come to explore the birds of this exciting part of Ecuador!

PHOTO ITINERARY

We'll fly in to the coastal city of Guayaquil to get this trip started. Soon after we'll start our tour of 4 lodges.

At our first lodge we'll really focus on hummingbirds. There are some excellent opportunities here for multi-flash hummingbird photography of a nice variety of species. When not photographing hummingbirds we'll do some short bird walks looking for other goodies that these forests hold.

After a few days we'll head on to our next lodge in a much drier part of the country. Here we will spend some time working on the fruit and seed feeders that the lodge has set up. With luck we will get shots of a good variety of birds coming in for a snack. At night we can search around for Peruvian Screech Owls that are often found near the lodge. While we are in this part of the country we'll also make a side trip to a separate reserve to look for a few special hummingbirds – the Rainbow Starfrontlet and Purple-throated Sunangel.

Up next we'll head back into a wetter part of the country where we will spend the next three nights working on more fantastic and unique birds. At this lodge we have a great chance for the spectacular Jocotoco Antpitta as well as a nice variety of new hummingbirds. Short bird walks around the area should add even more species to our photographic tally.

Our final stop will be to a nice family run lodge near Podocarpus National Park. When I visited this area previously I was really happy with the photo opportunities around the lodge. There are a tonne of Tanager species to be found in this area and mixed flocks can be truly spectacular.

We'll fly back to Quito for a final night all together in the capital city where we can toast to all the beautiful birds we have seen and great images that we have captured.

On this photo adventure we will focus on the following opportunities:

Multi-flash Hummingbird Photography: Learn techniques to use 4-6 flashes to achieve otherwise impossible flight photographs of these flying jewels. What makes this workshop special is that Glenn or Jess will be sharing his techniques for taking multi-flash images that actually look natural (unlike most others out there).

Using flash effectively as a source of fill light: Because tropical regions are often cloudy - it is extremely important to learn how to use flash - either as fill or as a main source of light. Participants will also learn how to do set-ups for birds using more than one flash. These skills can easily be taken home and applied in your very own backyard!

Attracting birds to a perch setup: Participants will learn strategies to attract birds to a given perch and how to achieve images that have attractive light, an outstanding perch and a smooth background.

Strategies for successful tropical photography: Glenn has spent over a year and a half photographing wildlife in the tropics. Throughout the workshop Glenn or Jess will share tips and tricks that he has learned along the way.

Macro photography of tropical insects and frogs: At each of our locations there will also be opportunities to find and photograph an amazing diversity of colourful frogs, butterflies and insects.

Spectacular cloudforest and Andean landscape photography: The cloudforests of Ecuador are spectacular places and the opportunities for landscape photography are superb.

Digital Workshops:  During the evenings for those who wish to participate, we will have image review sessions and talk about techniques and what we can expect to see the next day.  In these post processing workshops participants will have ample opportunities to improve skills in Adobe Photoshop.  Guided by Glenn or Jess, participants can learn how to take their images from straight out-of-the-camera RAW images to stunning final works of art (ready for printing or websites).

A few of the highlight species include:

  • Jocotoco Antpitta
  • Paradise Tanager
  • Rainbow Starfrontlet
  • Flame-throated Sunangel
  • Amethyst-throated Sunangel
  • Lacrimose Mountain Tanager
  • Blue-necked Tanager
  • Green and Gold Tanager
  • Masked Tanager
  • Golden-eared Tanager
  • Magpie Tanager
  • Wire-crested Thorntail
  • Spangled Coquette
  • Violet-bellied Hummingbird
  • White-necked Jacobin
  • Up to 20-30 species of hummingbirds in total!

    KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

    On this photo adventure participants will focus on the following learning objectives:

    • How to use multiple flashes to achieve natural looking photos of hummingbirds and other birds
    • Proper exposure settings for challenging tropical lighting conditions
    • Proper use of flash as fill or ambient lighting
    • How to "set up" a nature photograph and get pleasing images
    • Techniques for macro photography of tropical insects, butterflies and frogs
    • How to place your subject in the frame and get beautiful backgrounds
    • Image workflow and digital processing that will ensure your images are the best that they can possibly be

     PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS

    • This is a fairly relaxed trip.
    • We will be shooting mostly around the lodges and taking short daily excursions at a leisurly pace.
    • There are optional hikes at one of the lodges.
    • Seeing the Jocotoco Antpitta required a short hike of about 1.5 km (1 mile)

     WHY TRAVEL ON GLENN BARTLEY'S WORKSHOPS?

    • Glenn focuses on more personalized attention,instruction and guidance.
    • Glenn is regarded one of the world’s top professional photographers in bird portrait photography. Just go pick up a birding magazine and you will almost certainly find his images.
    • Glenn often utilizes local guides with years of experience in their home areas.
    • Glenn has more experience.  He has been to the places that he will take you – not for a week or two – but for months!!  Glenn knows where to get the best possible images and can show you how to achieve them. 
    • Having completed his Msc. in Environmental Studies Glenn is very environmentally and socially aware.  When we visit communities around the world we give something back to these places and the people who live there. 
    • At the end of the day Glenn’s goal is simple – To give you the best possible photographic workshop imaginable.

    LOGISTICS

    This workshop/tour is limited to 6 photographers to ensure the best photographic opportunities and instruction possible.

    Price:

    • The cost of this photo workshop is USD $7199 / person
    • I preffer payments and deposits to be made by check. Paypal can also be arranged (send email).
    • Accommodations are designed to be two persons per room. If you will be traveling alone and would like a private room there will be an additional charge of $750
    • Once we have received your deposit we will send you a confirmation invoice and registration package.

    Price includes:

    • Local guides and drivers.
    • All entrance fees to natural areas visited
    • All accommodations, based on double occupancy
    • All meals inclusive of restaurant staff tips from after breakfast on day 1 to departure day
    • Land transportation during workshop
    • Airport pickups on the first day of the trip

    Price does not include:

    • International airfare to place of tour origin
    • Any additional nights accommodation outside of the tour dates
    • Additional tips for staff such as guides and camp staff
    • Fees for passport, visas, immunizations and insurance
    • Bar bills at lodges
    • Laundry, phone and other items of a personal nature
    • Cost of hospitalization and evacuation if necessary

    Payment Terms:

    A $1500 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a space on this tour.  The balance of the payment is due before October 22, 2021.

    Suggested Equipment:

    It is recommended that each participant bring the following equipment:

    • A digital SLR and a lens of 300mm or greater.
    • A wide angle lens (if you are interested in landscape photography)
    • A tripod is recommended
    • A flash (if you have more than one)

    HOW TO JOIN THIS PHOTO WORKSHOP? WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NEXT?

    I like to keep my workshops small, so space is extremely limited. Once the workshop seats are full – that’s it…  If this exciting photo workshop sounds like fun to you, then now is the time to register.

    STEP 1 - Read the booking and refund policies below.

    STEP 2 - To confirm your registration you will need to mail a check for the $1500 deposit to Glenn Bartley. Payments can also be arranged through Paypal. Please email me to confirm that there is still space left on the tour and to let me know that you are sending a deposit or for paypal instructions. Once a deposit is received it is understood that you have read, understood and accepted all terms and conditions as outlined in the Booking and Refund Policies.

    Please make checks out to:Glenn Bartley  - Email me for mailing address

    Once I have received your deposit I will send you your complete registration package by mail/email.

    Please see the complete booking and refund policy by clicking the link below.

    If you have any questions before registering, send me an e-mail with any inquiries to:

    Please note:

    • Glenn Bartley Nature Photography strongly recommends that you purchase travel insurance.
    • All funds are quoted in USD dollars and subject to exchange rate fluctuation and gas surcharge if we are billed additionally.
    • We will attempt to stay true to this itinerary. However, certain unforeseeable conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or wildlife migrations) may require changes to the itinerary. We reserve the right to alter any itinerary at any time, if necessary. We will do our absolute best to notify participants of changes as far in advance as possible.

    TO SEE MORE IMAGES

     Visit Glenn's Favourite Photographs from Ecuador Page

     

       

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