New Zealand Bird Photography Workshop

Dates: October 20th through November 3rd, 2018
Location: North Island, South Island and Stewart Island, New Zealand
Price: $8,500
Deposit: $2000
Maximum Number of Participants: 4

 

They call New Zealand the land of the birds, and why not, with over 170 species of birds, of which over 80% are endemic to these southern islands, you can understand why. The aim of this New Zealand Bird Photography Workshop is to give photographers the opportunities to take pictures of some of the most unique birds in the world. This will include a large variety of species, from the critically endangered Takahe to the worlds largest flying bird the Wandering Albatross. We will start the workshops in the northern part of the North Island, moving south as the trip progresses. While we will accumulate a large species count, the highest priority is ensuring that we have enough time with each subject matter to get the shots you desire. The very small group size of this workshop we will you to have intimate and unique experiences with the birdlife we encounter.

Required Photo Equipment:
– Camera (Digital SLR Camera preferred)
– Telephoto Lens (200 and above is recommended, 400 through 800mm range is best) *

Optional Photo Equipment:
– Wide angle lens
– Monopod/Tripod (or bean bag)
– Teleconverters
– Flash
– Better Beamer
– Graduated Neutral Density Filters
– Remote Trigger
– Flashlight

What to Bring
Clothing: Even though we will be in New Zealand’s spring, it will still be quite chilly and with any kind of wind it will be downright cold. In my experience the best thing to do is to wear lots of layers that can be taken on and off during the day. Also bring a rain jacket and rain pants. A beanie and gloves are also a good idea. If you get cold very easily, bring some instant hand warmer packs.
Shoes: Hiking boots or running shoes, depending on what you feel comfortable walking up and down hills in.
Camera Gear Protection: I will have rubbing alcohol to wipe down cameras and lenses after exposure to salt water, but for this purpose, please bring a towel. If you own a dry bag, bring it! Also bring cleaning supplies to free your camera and lenses of dust.
Learning Materials: A computer (also good for downloading images) and/or a notepad will be good to take notes with.

Travel: Fly into Auckland, North Island. Fly out of Christchurch, South Island.

Accommodations: Are included in the workshop fee and will be arranged for you as part of the workshop.

Food: Three meals per day are included in the workshop fee.  Snacks can be purchased easily in most locations.

Transportation: There will be a fair amount of driving on this trip. We will be sharing a van, allowing us to travel together. Cost of transportation is included in the workshop fee.

Schedule: Sent to you upon payment of deposit.

Travel Insurance: Proof of travel insurance required.

If you arrive prior to workshop start time: You are more then welcome to arrive to New Zealand before the official start time, it may in fact help, as its likely that you will suffer from jet lag. I may be able to meet you prior to the official start date, though I can’t guarantee it.

What’s included in the price: Domestic travel, food, and accommodations during the workshop period are included. Services of Sebastian Kennerknecht as photographic guide which includes knowing the area, having extensive natural history knowledge of the local fauna, helping you with any special needs, and helping you create more interesting and unique pictures of these birds.

What’s not included in the price: International flights and other travel to and from the meeting location. Travel visas if required and travel insurance are also not included. Anything else not listed in the “What’s included in the price” list above.

Possible Species List:
Little Spotted Kiwi (Apteryx owenii)
Yellow-eyed Penguin (Megadyptes antipodes)
Blue Penguin (Eudyptula minor)
Fiordland Crested Penguin (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus)
Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans)
Northern Royal Albatross (Diomedea sanfordi)
Southern Royal Albatross (Diomedea epomophora)
Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophrys)
Grey-headed Albatross (Thalassarche chrysostoma)
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross (Thalassarche carteri)
Buller’s Albatross (Thalassarche bulleri)
Shy Albatross (Thalassarche cauta)
Salvin’s Albatross (Thalassarche salvini)
Northern Giant Petrel (Macronectes halli)
Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganteus)
Cape Pigeon (Daption capense)
Broad-billed Prion (Pachyptila vittata)
Australasian Gannet (Sula bassana)
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris)
Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos)
Spotted Shag (Phalacrocorax punctatus)
Stewart Island Shag (Phalacrocorax chalconotus)
Brown Teal (Anas chlorotis)
New Zealand Shoveler (Anas rhynchotis)
New Zealand Scaup (Aythya novaeseelandiae)
Blue Duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos)
Paradise Shelduck (Tadorna variegata)
Pukeko (Porphyrio porphyrio)
Takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri)
Weka (Gallirallus australis)
South Island Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus finschi)
Variable Oystercatcher (Haematopus unicolor)
Wrybill (Anarhynchus frontalis)
Black Stilt (Himantopus novaezelandiae)
Double-banded Plover (Charadrius bicinctus)
New Zealand Plover (Charadrius obscurus)
Shore Dotterel (Thinornis novaeseelandiae)
Snares Snipe (Coenocorypha huegeli)
Black-billed Gull (Larus bulleri)
Red-billed Gull (Larus scopulinus)
Black-fronted Tern (Chlidonias albostriatus)
New Zealand Pigeon (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae)
New Zealand Grebe (Poliocephalus rufopectus)
New Zealand Falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae)
Morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae)
Pacific Long-tailed Cuckoo (Eudynamys taitensis)
Yellow-crowned Parakeet (Cyanoramphus auriceps)
Malherbe’s Parakeet (Cyanoramphus malherbi)
Red-crowned Parakeet (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae)
Kea (Nestor notabilis)
New Zealand Kaka (Nestor meridionalis)
New Zealand Rockwren (Xenicus gilviventris)
Rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris)
Australasian Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae)
New Zealand Fernbird (Bowdleria punctata)
Tomtit (Petroica macrocephala)
New Zealand Robin (Petroica australis)
Whitehead (Mohoua albicilla)
Pipipi (Mohoua novaeseelandiae)
Yellowhead (Mohoua ochrocephala)
Grey Warbler (Gerygone igata)
Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae)
Stitchbird (Notiomystis cincta)
Kokako (Callaeas cinerea)
Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus)
New Zealand Bellbird (Anthornis melanura)

[contact-form-7 id=”2046″ title=”Workshop Signup”]