- Wildlife Photography
Loon Photography Tour
About this Trip
- Location: Minnesota
- Dates: Various dates
- Days: 2 or 3 days
- Limited to: 4 participants
- Cost: See specific tours
- Balance Due: 60 days prior to workshop, nonrefundable
- Policies: All workshops are non-smoking
Author, naturalist, and wildlife photographer Stan Tekiela is proud to offer a world-class loon photography experience. With his background in biology and over 25 years as a wildlife photographer, Stan knows how to guide you to a great experience. Join Stan for an amazing opportunity to photograph these fascinating birds in their natural habitat.
Each session offers an opportunity to capture this iconic Minnesota bird amidst its natural habitat. Tours offer the opportunity to capture loons among different colored waters, backgrounds, and vegetation. This tour is a chance to see an array of loon behaviors: flying, landing, preening, and taking off. June is the time for loon chicks, and the opportunity for you to capture them at different stages of growth.
Participants will travel together in a large pontoon boat, with several seating options. Configured to get you down low and to the water level, tour members have the option to sit in chairs, on the floor, or lie down prone. Padded mats to lie or sit on, and camera rest bean bags will be provided. A gimbal mount can be beneficial.
For those looking to get a truly unique shot, a special “camera float” is available to capture photos at full water level. This floating platform allows you to safely support your camera and lens at just one inch above the water level.
2027 Tour Dates
Tour 1 | June 1st - 2nd
- Location: Minnesota
- Dates: June 1st - 2nd. Arrival on May 31st after 3 PM.
- Days: 2 Days
- Limited to: 4 participants
- Cost: $1,750/per person
- Deposit: $825 (nonrefundable)
- Balance Due: 60 days prior to workshop
- Single Room Supplemental: $400
- Policies: All workshops are non-smoking
Schedule
Each day, participants can expect one morning and one evening session, split by a midday break. If the weather permits, participants will photograph for a total of 3 sessions for 2-day tours or 5 sessions for 3-day tours. Each morning and evening session will be roughly 3 to 3.5 hours long, for an approximate daily total of 6 hours. This schedule is subject to change.
Tour 2 | June 3rd - 4th
- Location: Minnesota
- Dates: June 3rd - 4th. Arrival on June 2nd after 3 PM.
- Days: 2 Days
- Limited to: 4 participants
- Cost: $1,750/per person
- Deposit: $825 (nonrefundable)
- Balance Due: 60 days prior to workshop
- Policies: All workshops are non-smoking
- Single Room Supplemental: $400
Schedule
Each day, participants can expect one morning and one evening session, split by a midday break. If the weather permits, participants will photograph for a total of 3 sessions for 2-day tours or 5 sessions for 3-day tours. Each morning and evening session will be roughly 3 to 3.5 hours long, for an approximate daily total of 6 hours. This schedule is subject to change.
Tour 3 | June 7th - 9th
- Location: Minnesota
- Dates: June 7th - 9th. Arrival on June 6th after 3 PM.
- Days: 3 Days
- Limited to: 4 participants
- Cost: $2,450/per person
- Deposit: $1,200 (nonrefundable)
- Balance Due: 60 days prior to workshop
- Single Room Supplemental: $600
- Policies: All workshops are non-smoking
Schedule
Each day, participants can expect one morning and one evening session, split by a midday break. If the weather permits, participants will photograph for a total of 3 sessions for 2-day tours or 5 sessions for 3-day tours. Each morning and evening session will be roughly 3 to 3.5 hours long, for an approximate daily total of 6 hours. This schedule is subject to change.
Tour 4 | June 10th - 11th
- Location: Minnesota
- Dates: June 10th - 11th. Arrival on June 9th after 3 PM.
- Days: 3 Days
- Limited to: 4 participants
- Cost: $1,750/per person
- Deposit: $825 (nonrefundable)
- Balance Due: 60 days prior to workshop
- Single Room Supplemental: $400
- Policies: All workshops are non-smoking
Schedule
Each day, participants can expect one morning and one evening session, split by a midday break. If the weather permits, participants will photograph for a total of 3 sessions for 2-day tours or 5 sessions for 3-day tours. Each morning and evening session will be roughly 3 to 3.5 hours long, for an approximate daily total of 6 hours. This schedule is subject to change.
Tour 5 | June 14th - 15th
- Location: Minnesota
- Dates: June 15th - 14th. Arrival on June 13th after 3 PM.
- Days: 2 Days
- Limited to: 4 participants
- Cost: $1,750/per person
- Deposit: $825 (nonrefundable)
- Balance Due: 60 days prior to workshop
- Single Room Supplemental: $400
- Policies: All workshops are non-smoking
Schedule
Each day, participants can expect one morning and one evening session, split by a midday break. If the weather permits, participants will photograph for a total of 3 sessions for 2-day tours or 5 sessions for 3-day tours. Each morning and evening session will be roughly 3 to 3.5 hours long, for an approximate daily total of 6 hours. This schedule is subject to change.
Trip Details
- Photo instructions for the best camera settings from Stan, suggestions on composition, lighting, and backgrounds
- Boat travel to and from loon habitat
- Travel to and from Minnesota
- Airline baggage fees
- Gratuity
- Travel insurance
Wildlife photography can be physically demanding. It may include extreme terrain, long hikes at high altitude, damp forests with uneven roots, sandy beaches that sink beneath your boots, deep snow, and frigid temperatures, or boats swaying under your feet while your lens tracks a moving animal. Conditions may vary by destination, or even by day. This is why participants must be in good general physical condition and health.
You must be able to walk for multiple hours and carry your own camera gear. There are no exceptions to these physical requirements.
All trips may not be suitable for every traveler. If you have questions about the physical requirements of this trip, contact Stan at stan@naturesmart.com.