Dates: January 10th-18th, 2020
Location: Andalusia, Spain
Price: $2500 ($700 single room supplement)
Leaders: Sebastian Kennerknecht and Melissa Groo
Participants: 6 (sold out)
Wild Cat Difficulty: Difficult
Come photograph the world’s most endangered species of wild cat! Though very rare, this exclusive Iberian lynx photo tour is optimized to give you a chance to see and photograph this incredible feline. Last year, we saw eight Iberian lynx in a ten day period, of which three were good photographic opportunities. Besides photography, you will actively contribute to the conservation of the Iberian lynx, since we will spend one morning building a rabbit warren (this increases the rabbit population — the favorite food of the lynx). This photo tour is co-led by world famous Melissa Groo, and myself. Melissa is a fellow conservation photographer, who strongly believes in highlighting the intrinsic value of wildlife as much as showing their beauty. Iberian lynx have a difficulty rating of difficult, this means that for the duration of the trip, our goal will be to have one encounter with good photographic opportunities.*
What to Bring
Photo Equipment: We recommend bringing at least one SLR camera, a telephoto lens at least 300mm long (the longer the better), and a tripod or monopod.
Clothing: Southern Spain has a Mediterranean climate which means that the mornings are rather cold while the afternoons get a bit hot. This means its best to wear lots of layers that can be taken on and off during the day. Since we are going to Spain in winter, it is very very cold in the mornings and evenings, so please bring lots of layers, hats, gloves, scarves, etc.
Shoes: Running or hiking shoes.
Travel: Fly into Madrid Airport (MAD), where you will be picked up and driven to our accommodations. Plan to land by 5pm on the 10th of January. Depart on the 18th anytime, though keep in mind you will probably be driven to Madrid in the morning.
Accommodations: Are included in the workshop fee. We will stay at one of my favorite places, run by some of my favorite people in the world. Rooms are basic, but comfortable. It will be three people to a room, and all bathrooms will be shared. If you want your own single room, you will be staying at a different hotel. You’d still be eating all meals with the rest of the group, and then shuttled to other hotel, but I want you to be aware of this. For a single room supplement, the additional fee is $700.
Food: Food is included in the workshop fee, however, alcohol at meals is not. On a personal note, the food cooked by the chef is some of my favorite food in the world!
Transportation: You will be picked up from and driven back to Madrid (MAD) airport. Once at the accommodations, transportation to and from the field is also included in the workshop fee.
Conservation Activity: To do our part in contributing to the conservation of the Iberian lynx, we will take one morning to build a rabbit warren. Since prey depletion (the loss of rabbits due to viruses) is the biggest threat to lynx we will help counteract that by building a rabbit warren (basically a pile of sticks in which the rabbits hide).
Schedule:
Possible Extension: Set up your own camera trap(s) for lynx on private property on January 9th and take them down on the 18th. $1500.
Physical Requirements: This trip requires a low fitness level. Most of the time is spent sitting or standing, looking for lynx from a stationary point.
Deposit: $500 will secure your spot in the photo tour. I will ask for this after you sign-up, or if you contact me directly.
What’s included in the price: Local accommodations, food, transportation from/to airport and in the field, local guide fees, guide services of Sebastian Kennerknecht.
What’s not included in the price: Flights, and anything not listed in the “What’s included in the price” list above.
*Wild Cat Difficulty: Wild cats can be very hard to photograph subjects, they require a lot of patience and dedication. This means spending significant amounts of time searching for them, hours and possibly days without a sighting. Iberian lynx have a difficulty rating of difficult, this means that for the duration of the trip, our goal will be to have one encounter with good photographic opportunities. We cannot however guarantee with complete certainty that we will see or photograph any lynx. Please do know that we have organized the trip to maximize our chances to encounter and photograph this incredible feline.
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Other Possible Species to Photograph (underlined species are the most commonly seen):
Iberian Hare (Lepus granatensis)
Iberian Red Deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus)
Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa)
Little Owl (Athene noctua)
Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica)
Fallow Deer (Dama dama)
Azure-winged Magpie (Cyanopica cyanus)
