I’ve been working on details for this workshop near my home in Lotus (east of Sacramento, north of Placerville) for several years, interrupted by Covid and other challenges. Permissions and privacy are a also a big concern. Anyway, this is your opportunity to photograph some of the most spectacular birds in the world, right here in northern California. At this venue, Feathered Ambassadors and Friends, many of the birds have been arduously trained over the years to free-fly, then return to their owners, Joe and Stephanie Carvalho, who care for their avian friends like we might care for our own children. All of this makes for fantastic photo ops. The folks here have been demonstrating their birds at various theme parks in the U.S. over the decades and they’ve also made numerous TV appearances. Now they are semi-retired, operating only at their Lotus location, bringing visitors to them. This is a fundraiser for the non-profit organization, and nearly all the funds go to them.
Species include many species of macaws and cockatoos. We’ll also have an Andean condor, a bird with one of the largest wingspans in the world. Also a cassowary, one of the deadliest birds on the planet; this huge flightless bird, however, is a well-tamed pussycat at this venue. Or marvel at the Eurasian owl, with its fantastic orange eyes. Bird species shown will depend on the moods of the birds and other factors. There are other species, but I can’t guarantee anything for sure except maybe the macaws.
This one-day event will start at 12:15 at a nearby restaurant where you can get a snack, and where I’ll provide some basic techniques for bird photography and give you directions to the place. it will take about ten minutes to get to the place and I strongly suggest carpooling. We’ll start the photography at 1 p.m., work for two hours, take a long lunch break from 3 to 5 p.m. (both birds and owners need a long break between shooting sessions, and this will be time for a big lunch at a nearby venue (lunch cost, likely pizza, is not included in the fee), and for us to review your photos, see what adjustments need to be made, and then we can choose certain birds to rephotograph), then we will work from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., taking advantage of sunset light.
The venue is in the open with limited shade protection, so you’ll need a sun hat and sunscreen. Also, although although the place is handicap accessible, there is some bumpy, graveled ground. If you have special health considerations, we need to know those. No food is allowed on the premises. Also, no photos (cameras or cellphone cameras) are allowed in the barn, bird rooms or other back areas. Please bring plenty of water (no other drinks allowed). Definitely bring lots of cards, fresh batteries. If you want to get great flight photos, a telephoto lens is a must. We suggest practicing in-flight photos with birds at your local park or in your back yard; these birds fly very FAST. Otherwise simple cell phones will do for those closeup portraits.
Exact meeting location in Lotus will be supplied before the event.
You can register by going to this link:
https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feathered-friends-betty-sederquist-4234904646#about-this-trip