About this Experience

The author, naturalist, and wildlife photographer Stan Tekiela is proud to offer a world-class loon photography tour. His experience as an avian biologist will help ensure a successful photo tour, allowing you to capture amazing images of these fascinating birds. Stan has authored three books on loons and has been photographing loons on Minnesota’s lakes for nearly 40 years.

Each year, over a dozen loons nest at the lake. Each session offers the opportunity to capture the iconic loon amidst its natural habitat, with different-colored waters, backgrounds, and vegetation. Every day is a new opportunity to experience an array of loon behavior: flying, landing, preening, and taking off. You will have the opportunity to capture loon babies at different stages of growth, from riding on the backs of adults to venturing off on their own.

Stan has a large custom pontoon boat to get you down low to the waters level. Not everyone can lay down due to physical conditions, so you have a choice to sit in comfortable chairs, sit on a floor for lower perspective, or lay down prone for low-level perspective. Padded mats to lay or sit upon and bean bags will be provided for you and your camera. A gimble mount may be beneficial.

For those looking to get a truly unique shot, a special “camera float” is available to capture photos at full water level. Stan has built a custom floating platform that allows you to safely support your camera and lens just one inch above the water level for the most incredible images. You will have to see this to believe it.