For eight years in the late 70s/early 80s I conducted the International Shorebird Survey at JBWR for the then Manomet Bird Observatory.  And it was there on the East Pond, in the summer of 1983, that I began to learn my trade with the old 400mm f/4.5 FD manual focus lens....  I remember the first roll of film that I got back; those dots on the slides, were they the birds?   In a short time I was on my belly getting within 12 feet of my subjects, often even closer so that I needed an extension tube to focus.  And I have been getting down on my belly in the mud for the past 25 years.  And loving it.  And I know the East Pond better than anyone living.

This trip is timed to coincide with the peak of the juvenile shorebird migration and with three perfect morning high tides.  We will likely get to photograph the following shorebird species in fresh juvenal plumage:  Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover, Lesser Yellowlegs, Short-billed Dowitcher, and Stilt Sandpiper.  Juvenile Pectoral and Western Sandpipers and several other species are possible.  We should also get to photograph worn, molting adult White-rumped and Semipalmated Sandpipers, Semipalmated Plovers, and Short-billed Dowitchers.  Not only will you get to photograph these species, you will learn to age and identify them.  Getting a copy of my "Shorebirds; Beautiful Beachcombers" and studying it in advance would give you a huge head start.  You can order a signed copy here: https://store.birdsasart.com/shop/category.aspx?catid=32.  On some mornings we may spend a bit of time on the back porch of my friend Denis Macrae's home where we will get to photograph Laughing Gulls in both worn breeding and fresh juvenal plumage.  Snowy and Great Egrets and both night-herons are possible there  as well.

Afternoons will be spent at Nickerson Beach just west of Point Lookout, Long Island, NY.  For many years running there has been a large successful colony of Black Skimmers at this location.  I was there last week and the colony was setting up nicely.  We should have lots of fledged young, lots of large chicks, and possibly a smattering of small chicks still in the nest scrapes in August.  The existence of beach nesting birds is of course extremely fragile and in a given year the success of even a dependable colony like Nickerson may vary.  There will be lots of adults both in flight and on the ground with fish for their young.  American Oystercatcher and a variety of gulls are also possible at Nickerson. Two years ago we were blessed late one afternoon as several thousand Common Terns flew in to roost for the night, the nervous flock taking flight time and time again in front of a lovely setting sun.   I will of course adapt to local conditions in an effort to always have the group in the right place at the right time. 

I will not have a slide projector or a projection screen on this photography tour.  All of the formal teaching will be done on the laptop.  As we will be getting up very early (sunrise averages about 6:10am), and be staying in the field very late (sunset averages about 7:45 pm), our evenings will be free after dinner.  Breakfasts will be on the run and the cost of lunch is included.  We will of course have a midday break of three to four hours that will include instructor nap time.   That will still leave us at least an hour or two for image review and some Photoshop lessons.   To get the most out of this trip, experienced photographers should have at least a 500mm f/4 lens and be comfortable using at least their 1.4 teleconverter.  The very best images will be created by those who are willing and physically able to either get down on the ground and photograph while prone or sit behind their lowered tripod.  The latter approach is especially effective when the birds are actively feeding as it is easier to follow birds in motion while you are sitting than while you are prone.   Added plusses at JBWR include jet fuel and Canada Goose dung :)

There will be tons of in-the-field instruction that will include stalking techniques and getting the right exposure via histogram review.  You will learn to see and think like a pro.  The closer you stay to me and the more questions you ask, the more you will learn.  With this extremely small group, the opportunities for learning from a top pro will be unparalleled.  Questions are limited to 500 per person per day.  We will also get to do some fill flash work.  As always, BAA reserves the right to exceed the noted limit by no more than one.