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POSSE NEWS: JIM NEIGER

Flight School Photography 2011 Workshop Lineup

Join Veolia Wildlife Photographer of the Year Contest award winning photographer Jim Neiger on one of his 2011 Flight School workshops. Jim is a full time nature photographer and an expert at photographing birds in flight. Jim has been teaching photographers his hand held telephoto lens techniques for over 5 years. Jim’s methods have consistently produced spectacular results and can only be learned at a Flight School Photography workshop. Each of the workshops below have been carefully planned to provide fantastic opportunities to photograph some of the most sought after bird species in flight.

Please visit the Flight School Photography website for detailed information: www.flightschoolphotography.com

Best of Florida 2011 Workshops

A Unique and Unparalleled Nature Photography Workshop Experience

Capt. Jim Neiger of "Flight School Photography" and Capt. James Shadle of "In the Field Workshops" are proud to present the "Best of Florida" workshop series – the best time of year, the best weather, the best species, the best colors, the best group size and the best instruction of its kind. For the first time, a single workshop experience will combine two of Florida's most desirable locations. The workshops will include the best of central and west central Florida's nature photography experiences. And to make sure your experience is second to none, the "Best of Florida" workshops will be led by instructors' with unparalleled knowledge of the locations and the subjects found there.

The eight day workshops will feature the unsurpassed avian opportunities of both central and west central Florida in peak season. Four days of learning and photography in central Florida with Jim Neiger and four days of learning and photography in west central Florida with James Shadle. This unique arrangement allows you to be exposed to widest range of subjects and habitats imaginable. The subjects and habitats are not the only thing that has a wide range. You will also be exposed to very qualified, yet different instructional styles.

Come experience Florida at its very best! The main focus of these distinctive workshops will be solely on you. Class size is drastically reduced for maximum comfort, and the individual attention provided will be without equal. Your needs will take center stage during this unique experience.

Workshop Details may be found here: Best of Florida Workshops

Male Snail Kite, Roseate Spoonbill Adult, Female Snail Kite, Roseate Spoonbill Juvenile Images copyright © 2010: Jim Neiger/Flight School Photography

Flight School Photography Best of Florida Sample Image Gallery

BOF-1: March 20-27, 2011

BOF-2: April 3-10, 2011

Workshop Cost and payment:

The cost of each workshop is $2600 per person. A $1000 non-refundable deposit is required for the workshops. The remaining $1600 is due 15 days before the start date of the workshop. If you are unable to attend the workshop, after paying the balance, the balance payment will be refunded ONLY if your spot can be filled, on short notice, from the waiting list. All workshop payments must be made by check or money order. Credit cards are not accepted. Please make checks payable to Flight School Photography, Inc. and send them to: Flight School Photography, Inc., Jim Neiger, 550 Basin Drive, Kissimmee, Fl 34744. Contact Jim by phone at 407-247-5200 or via e-mail to jimn@cfl.rr.com.

Osprey Heaven/LAKE BLUE CYPRESS 2011 Workshops – Vero Beach, Florida

The photography sessions by boat will be held on the unspoiled and unparalleled Lake Blue Cypress. This spectacularly beautiful lake is virtually free of civilization and manmade elements. The lake is surrounded by ancient cypress swamp and marshy wetlands. Here, the gorgeous cypress trees grow from the lake bottom, surrounded on all sides by water. Osprey nest by the hundreds in these trees, and participants will be able to photograph them as the fly to and fro, dive for fish, gather nesting materials, and feed their young chicks. Some of the nests are actually at or below eye level when standing in the boat. The only distraction in this pristine, wilderness environment is the constant cries of the Osprey as they frolic in the air and defend their nests from other birds. Lake Blue Cypress is also a landscape photographers dream. The horizons contain nothing of man's influence and only the beauty of the real Florida wilderness. Perches and backgrounds are spectacular beyond belief. April and May are the best months to be at Lake Blue Cypress. Many of the birds are actively nesting and rearing their young during this time. Wildflowers cover the stumps and trees like blankets of radiant color. The skies glow with spectacular, multi-hued sunrises and sunsets. Hundreds of different species of birds are possible including the typical Florida waders and water fowl. Large Alligators are commonly seen sunning themselves on top of the fallen trees and stumps amidst the colorful wildflowers. The biggest problem for a photographer here is deciding which subject to photograph. Even the weather cooperates this time of year. It is the dry season and clear, sunny days are the most common weather condition.

Workshop Details may be found here: Osprey Heaven Workshops.

Osprey with Fish, Barred Owl, Red-shouldered Hawk, Pileated Woodpecker Images copyright © 2010: Jim Neiger/Flight School Photography

Flight School Photography Osprey Heaven Workshops Sample Image Gallery

LBC-1: May 1-5, 2011

LBC-2: May 8-12, 2011

LBC-3: May 15-19, 2011

Workshop Cost and payment:

The cost of each workshop is $1500 per person. A $750 non-refundable deposit is required for the workshops. The remaining $750 is due 15 days before the start date of the workshop. If you are unable to attend the workshop, after paying the balance, the balance payment will be refunded ONLY if your spot can be filled, on short notice, from the waiting list. All workshop payments must be made by check or money order. Credit cards are not accepted. Please make checks payable to Flight School Photography, Inc. and send them to: Flight School Photography, Inc., Jim Neiger, 550 Basin Drive, Kissimmee, Fl 34744. Contact Jim by phone at 407-247-5200 or via e-mail to jimn@cfl.rr.com.

Flight School Goes Loony 2011 – Lac Le Juene, BC, Canada

Join expert bird photographers Jim Neiger and Kevin Karlson for 5 days of extraordinary bird photography and instruction at beautiful Lac Le Jeune. This beautiful lodge set in the mountains near Kamloops, British Columbia offers unique opportunities to photograph Common Loons with their chicks, as well as a wide assortment of other avian subjects around the lodge and surrounding areas. A number of other photogenic bird species nest around the lodge, including Black Tern, Barrow's Goldeneye, Ring-necked Duck, Red-naped Sapsucker and many others. Nearby wildlife refuges and recreation areas have several pairs of very photographable Red-necked Grebes with chicks in the nest and riding on the parent’s back. Mountain Bluebirds may be found in nest boxes along numerous country roads. Calliope and Rufous Hummingbirds are possible at several hummingbird feeders.

Workshop Details may be found here: Flight School Goes Loony Workshop

Calling Common Loon, Loon Adult with Baby, Male Calliope Hummingbird, Killdeer Images copyright © 2010: Jim Neiger/Flight School Photography

Flight School Photography Flight School Goes Loony Sample Image Gallery

BCL-1: June 24-28, 2011

Workshop Cost and payment:

The cost of each workshop is $2350 per person. The workshop fee includes single occupancy lodging, meals, and gratuities. A $1175 non-refundable deposit is required for the workshops. The remaining $1175 is due 30 days before the start date of the workshop. If you are unable to attend the workshop, after paying the balance, the balance payment will be refunded ONLY if your spot can be filled, on short notice, from the waiting list. All workshop payments must be made by check or money order. Credit cards are not accepted. Please make checks payable to Flight School Photography, Inc. and send them to: Flight School Photography, Inc., Jim Neiger, 550 Basin Drive, Kissimmee, Fl 34744. Contact Jim by phone at 407-247-5200 or via e-mail to jimn@cfl.rr.com.

West Coast Flight 2011 – Orange County, CA

Join 2010 BBC award-winning photographers, Jim Neiger and Doug Brown, in July, 2011 for a workshop focusing on birds in flight. We’ve selected the area around Huntington Beach, California for its incredible number and variety of birds, not to mention the great weather! In July, Terns will number in the tens of thousands, and there should be no fewer than five different species (Elegant, Forster’s, Caspian, Royal, and Least). Black Skimmers, Pelicans, Egrets, Herons, and Gulls will all be plentiful. There will also be opportunities to photograph more challenging subjects such as raptors, Kingfishers, and shorebirds.

The focus of the workshops will be on mastering the hand held long lens technique favored by both Jim and Doug. Manual exposure for birds in flight will also be emphasized. There will be an instructional lecture on the first day, followed by morning and afternoon sessions in the field for each of the next three days.

As an added feature, you will have the opportunity to hone your Lightroom and Photoshop skills with Jim and Doug during the free time in between field sessions.

The workshop will be limited to twelve participants; with two expert instructors available, everyone will receive plenty of individualized attention both in the field and the classroom.

Workshop Details may be found here: West Coast Flight Workshop

Elegant Tern Shake off, Elegant Tern with Fish, Black Skimmer with Fish, Elegant Tern Diving Images copyright © 2010: Jim Neiger/Flight School Photography

Flight School Photography West Coast Flight Sample Image Gallery

WCF-1: July 5-8, 2011

Workshop Cost and payment:

The cost of each workshop is $1350 per person. A $675 non-refundable deposit is required for the workshops. The remaining $675 is due 30 days before the start date of the workshop. If you are unable to attend the workshop, after paying the balance, the balance payment will be refunded ONLY if your spot can be filled, on short notice, from the waiting list. All workshop payments must be made by check or money order. Credit cards are not accepted. Please make checks payable to Flight School Photography, Inc. and send them to: Flight School Photography, Inc., Jim Neiger, 550 Basin Drive, Kissimmee, Fl 34744. Contact Jim by phone at 407-247-5200 or via e-mail to jimn@cfl.rr.com.

Flight School Goes to Bosque 2011

With thousands of migratory birds in flight daily at Bosque Del Apache, what better site for Flight School Photography workshops? Previous year's workshops were a huge success, so once again, Flight School Photography returns to Bosque. We are anticipating improved conditions and even more outstanding photographic opportunities than last year.

The workshops will be held in November, before the Festival of the Cranes and Thanksgiving, which provides important advantages. First, the spectacular fall colors at Bosque are not to be missed and going early will provide that opportunity. The fall foliage offers incredibly beautiful backgrounds for your photos, and adds even more majesty to the already spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Second, going early means there will be less of a crowd, offering more opportunities for "front-row seats" and leisurely days in the field.

Each workshop will include 3 hours of classroom instruction on the first morning, followed by a welcome lunch; an afternoon photography session; and a morning and an afternoon photography session each of the remaining days. Each photography session will be of three to four hours in duration. The workshops will be limited to 6 participants so that everyone may receive personalized instruction in the field.

Workshop Details may be found here: Flight School Goes to Bosque

Male Northern Harrier, Snow Geese, Sandhill Crane, Pre-dawn Snow Geese Images copyright © 2010: Jim Neiger/Flight School Photography

Flight School Photography Bosque Del Apache Sample Gallery

BOS-1: November 11-13, 2011

BOS-2: November 15-17, 2011

Workshop Cost and payment:

The cost of each workshop is $1000 per person. A $500 non-refundable deposit is required for the workshops. The remaining $500 is due 30 days before the start date of the workshop. If you are unable to attend the workshop, after paying the balance, the balance payment will be refunded ONLY if your spot can be filled, on short notice, from the waiting list. All workshop payments must be made by check or money order. Credit cards are not accepted. Please make checks payable to Flight School Photography, Inc. and send them to: Flight School Photography, Inc., Jim Neiger, 550 Basin Drive, Kissimmee, Fl 34744. Contact Jim by phone at 407-247-5200 or via e-mail to jimn@cfl.rr.com.

CANON GEAR FOR SALE

David McNicholas is offering the following used equipment package for sale for only $500; buyer pays shipping and insurance. (Denise Ippolito prefers the 40D to both the the 50D and the 7D finding it far less noisy.)

Canon EOS-40D body in very good shape, two canon BP11 batteries and the charger, shipped in the original box with all of the original software discs, cables and manuals (still in original wrappings) and the Canon EF 28-105mm 3.5-4.5 zoom lens in a protective pouch with both lens caps. Shipping and insurance from Naples, FL at the buyers expense.

Contact David on his cell at 973-452-4940, on his land line at 239-352-0616, or via e-mail at dmcnicholas@comcast.net

IPT UPDATES

BOSQUE del APACHE 2011 IPT: "The Complete Bosque Experience." NOV 19-25, 2011.

Slide program on the evening of Friday, NOV 18. 7-FULL DAYS: $3299. (Non-refundable deposit: $500; see details below.) Limit: 10/Openings: 6. Co-leaders: Robert O’Toole & Jim Heupel. Geese, cranes, ducks, sunrises, sunsets, and blast-offs. Live, eat, and breathe photography with one of (if not the) world’s premier photographic educators at one of his very favorite locations on the planet. Plus great co-leaders and top-notch Photoshop instruction. Please see terms and deposit info below.

With my ever-shrinking teaching schedule and all the specialty trips sold out, this trip may well represent a rare opportunity to learn from the best, so do not wait too long before sending your deposit. Clemens van der Werf who was on this year’s Bosque trip is already registered for next year. If you missed the Photographer Experience Quiz and the Mystery Photographer & Experience Level Revealed! posts on the blog, you will surely want to check them out to see what Clemens has accomplished in less than a single year of bird photography. And how!

GREECE/DALMATIAN PELICAN EXPLORATORY IPT. FEB 27-MAR 5, 2011.

6 1/2+ Full Days of Photography: $2499. (Limit: 6/Sold Out). Co-leaders: Arthur Morris, Robert O’Toole, and Yannis Arvanitis as our bi-lingual guide. Payment in full is due immediately. Please call to hold a spot pending the arrival of your check made out to “Arthur Morris.” Europeans please e-mail for wire transfer details. No discounts. For images and complete information click here. If you would like additional info on Lake Kerkini please e-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net and request same. Please see terms and deposit info below.

HOMER BALD EAGLE IPTs WITH ROBERT O’TOOLE, MARCH 2011

March 12-16, 2011

Limit 7 including the leaders/Sold Out 5-FULL DAYS: $2799

March 18-22, 2011

Limit 12 including the leaders/Sold Out 5-FULL DAYS: $3249

March 24-28, 2011

Limit 12 including the leaders/Sold Out 5-FULL DAYS: $3249

Homer the way it used to be. 100% legal eagle feeding. Both of these trips sold out within hours after being announced to the BAA Friends List. The Friends List consists of IPT veterans who fit in the happy camper category. If you have been on an IPT and would like your name added to the BAA Friends List, please e-mail me at birdsasart@att.net and include a short note. Non-refundable deposit: $1,000. See terms above. Please call to check on availability before sending your deposit check.

The trip above was added by popular demand; only Robert will be leading it.

GALAPAGOS 2011 PHOTO-CRUISE OF A LIFETIME IPT

The Complete Galapagos Photographic Experience: July 3-20, 2011 (July 5-19, 2011 on the boat): 13 1/2 days of photography plus a last morning panga ride: $12,499. (Limit 11/sold out.)

If you would like your name placed on the seriously interested list for the SUMMER 2012 trip, please e-mail me at birdsasart@att.net.

Terms and deposit info

A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to hold a spot on the above IPTs. Deposits may be paid by check, PayPal, or credit card. Payment in full (by check or money order only) is due four months before the start of each trip and is non-refundable unless the IPT sells out. You will be required to sign a statement of understanding to this effect. Travel insurance is of course highly recommended. Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of plans and options. Included with the Elite Option or available as an upgrade to the Basic & Plus Options is Cancel for Any Reason Coverage that expands the list of reasons for your canceling to an infinite list from a sudden work or family obligation to a simple change of mind. My family and I use and depend on the great policies offered by TIS whenever we travel. You can learn more here. Do note that many plans require that you purchase your travel insurance within 14 days of our cashing your deposit check or running your credit card. Travel insurance protects you against unexpected developments, injuries, or illnesses. We regret that we must implement this new policy but we have been plagued by last minute cancellations that make it impossible for others to participate and deprive us of essential income.

Important note: please print, fill out, and sign the registration and release forms and include them with your deposit check (made out to “Arthur Morris.” ) If you use a credit card to register, please fill out, sign, and mail the forms asap. Your registration will not be complete until we receive your paper work. You can find the forms here.