BIRD WATCHING PHOTOGRAPHY CLASSES SERIES

April, May, June, 2024

Workshops @ Prairie Gardens

Just 1 km north of Bon Accord, Canada’s First Dark Sky Community

Every year in early spring we begin to see some of the beautiful species that pass overhead, or are only here for a short time. We are blessed to be directly underneath a major migratory bird corridor – ranging from Sandhill Cranes, as they are on their spring flightpath from Nebraska to Slave Lake, Snowgeese, Tundra Swans, many species of migratory ducks, songbirds and the many other species of migratory birds we like to observe the migration patterns of as well.

DETAILS

Instructor Hugo Earnesto Sanchez Photography Aurora Photographer Hugo Ernesto Sanchez was born in El Salvador, and moved to Canada many years ago. He moved to Edmonton in 1991 and his love for nature and the beautiful Alberta skies made him look at the sky all the time, but it was not until he had a chance encounter with a beautiful Owl, did his love for bird watching and photography grow!

Experience

Elder Bill Bertschy, Rising Thunder, Knowledge Keeper and Ceremony Chief, Oral Storyteller, Tipi Teachings and Stars Guide. A guided walk through the forest trails gives opportunity for guests to connect with the land, the medicines of the forest, the trees, our relatives -the ones that fly, the ones that crawl, the rooted nation, the four legged ones such as the bear, moose, deer, coyote and winged relatives, and the star nation in our beautiful night skies. Storytelling and the Payhonin National Healing Forest connect visitors to the land and each other as we journey together through time and reconciliation.

Farmer Tam Andersen, Horticulturalist, and steward of the land on which the Payhonin National Healing Forest was established as part of the Standing Bear Community Turtle Island Conservation Project. She has studied the land, skys, creatures and seasons for the past 40 years.

Students enrolled in this course are expected to be active participants. Be prepared for leisurely hikes up to 1.5km per day through relatively flat field terrain; the forest has interesting hummocky animal trails with logs to step over, or maintained pathways, or snow-packed trails. All field activities will be conducted as a group. If participants cannot meet the activity level expectations during the program, they may be restricted from participation in daily outings. Program itineraries or activities will not be altered to accommodate participants who cannot meet the expectations of the stated activity level.

What to Bring & Wear - Suggested Packing List

Daypack, with enough capacity to carry extra clothes, water, lunch, camera, binoculars, etc.
Water bottle or thermos
Mosquito repellant
Tripod, Cameras and Binoculars for Birdwatching

Clothing

Insect repellant, mosquito net for your neck / face (depending on the weather).
Midweight insulating layer, a light synthetic fleece or wool shirt/pullover
Heavyweight insulating layer, wool, down, or heavy-weight fleece jacket
Waterproof and windproof outer layer, lightweight and breathable, jackets and pants
Pants, wool, fleece pants are preferred, no cotton blue jeans
Hat, an insulating hat that covers ears
Gloves, lightweight glove liners and a pair of wool/fleece gloves or mittens – waterproof/windproof outer layer is recommended
Socks, lightweight liner with heavyweight synthetic or wool socks
Gaiters, knee-high to keep snow out of your boots
Soles with proper traction or traction devices for forest / field hiking.

Cancellation Policy:

Once you register for a program, your registration is subject to the following cancellation policy.

If you cancel:

90 days or more prior to the start of your program, 100% of your payment will be refunded minus a $50 per person processing fee.
60 days or more prior to the start of your program, 50% of your payment will be refunded minus a $50 per person processing fee.
30 days or more prior to the start of your program, 25% of your payment will be refunded minus a $50 per person processing fee.
If you cancel with fewer than 30 days before the start of your program, your full payment will be forfeited. There are no refunds for no shows.

Travelling? To guard against unexpected circumstances, we strongly advise you to purchase travel insurance to protect against loss should you have to cancel your registration. All program dates are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, such as blizzards or conditions below -30C.

Choose One Workshop $199
(registration below)

Choose Any Two Workshop Dates: $349

2 Session Bundle >

Choose All Three Workshops: $499

3 Session Bundle >

Are you a RTO or Group Tour Operator?
These programs can be booked with custom dates for groups for the travel trade. Net Rates are available >

These workshops involve location changes; you will need your vehicle to travel between locations (approx. 2 -5km).

Register for Workshop 1 >

Workshop One: Nature, Bird Watching, Goat and Wildlife Photography - Introduction to Camera Basics for Beginners

Saturday, April 27, 7pm -10pm

Outdoor Orientation Visit to the Farm, Tipis and the Payhonin National Healing Forest - $199

Gather Indoors in the Greenhouse Pavilion to start.

We will meet indoors, in the greenhouse for this introductory class for beginners, followed by hands-on outdoor photography and a lovely farm-to-table light supper. The best time of day to see Sandhill Cranes is at dusk.

Gather indoors in the cozy warm greenhouse with a warm mug of Sweet Grass tea, with Smoked Sage and Bannock with Wild Fireweed Jelly, with a hearty Farm Soup and Farmhouse Pie.

Join Hugo Earnesto Sanchez for this indoor introduction, which will be followed by a daylight outdoor farm, baby goat visit, with a forest trail orientation with Knowledge Keeper, Elder Bill Bertschy.

You’ll have 2 hours to learn or improve on your nature and bird photography skills.

During this 3-hour workshop we will cover basic and advanced techniques for photography with almost any camera.

Farmer Tam will take you on a short hike through the Payhonin Forest Trails, and to the Tipis where Elder Bill will share with you his stories of the stars and the Seven Grandfather Teachings around the fire, as you take sunset photos through the golden hour and gaze out into the magnificent prairie skies. Note: The Payhonin Forest is open for night sky viewing, by appointment. Once you have completed the farm orientation class, you are welcome to come by appointment for free to photograph the aurora borealis. Sign up for the Aurora forecast at https://aurorawatch.ca .

Register for Workshop 2 >

Workshop Two: Dancing Skies Intro - Night Sky Photography Class & Tour Nature, Bird Watching, Goat and Wildlife Photography

Saturday June 8th, 7pm – 10pm

Indoors in the Greenhouse Pavilion with an Outdoor Photography Session at the Farm, Tipis and the Payhonin National Healing Forest - $199

Gather indoors in the cozy warm greenhouse, for an early farm supper, with a refreshing glass of Haskap Sangria Mocktail, with Smoked Sage and Bannock with Wild Fireweed Jelly, with a hearty Farm Soup and Farmhouse Pie.

Develop your photography skills in a 3-hour beginner to intermediate photography workshop, to bring your photography to the next level in the beauty the Payhonin National Healing Forest, and expanse of open skies about the farm!

Learn creative photography techniques with any camera through imaginative use of composition, color and form. Learn basic to advanced techniques to capture the night sky, (weather permitting) northern lights (if we're lucky) and light painting with the Tipis, if it's cloudy. Dress for being outdoors. See recommendations on outdoor attire.

Elder Bill will take you on a short hike alongside the Payhonin National Healing Forest; then to the Tipis where Elder Bill will share with you his stories of the stars, Sirius and the ancient knowledge of the ancestors as you drum and dance around the fire.

Includes a take-away PDF field guide so you can practice and reference what you’ve learned.

Register for Workshop 3 >

Workshop Three: Dancing Skies Bird Photography Class & Tour

Saturday, July 13, 7pm – 10pm

Indoors in the Greenhouse Pavilion with an Outdoor Orientation Visit to the Farm, Tipis, Pioneer Churches, and the Payhonin National Healing Forest - $199

This 3-hour night photography tour begins at Prairie Gardens’ warm and cozy greenhouse for a fire-roasted farm vegetarian appetizer, spring stew and farmhouse strawberry Shortcake.