2025 Ultimate Loons

Location: South central Interior of British Columbia, Canada

Dates: June 2025. Dates TBA

Leaders: Jess Findlay and Connor Stefanison

Fee: $6500 CAD + 5% GST (Approx. $5200 USD)

Deposit: $1000

Group Size: 5-6

Special note: This workshop is non-smoking

“I’ve been on a ton of different workshops, and you guys put on the best damn bird trip out there. I’m being honest, this is the best. ”
— Three-time Ultimate Loons participant

Workshop Introduction:

Join myself and Jess Findlay in the heart of British Columbia, for an exciting five days of nature photography! Using low, stable boats, we'll explore arguably the province's best lake for photographing Common Loons. Many approachable breeding pairs call this place home each spring and summer. Along with photographing loons and their adorable chicks, we'll also spend time with the lake's multiple pairs of Red-necked Grebes and Bonaparte's Gulls. The action isn't limited to our time on the water - more Red Foxes live here than in any other part of British Columbia. Uniquely coloured "cross foxes" are commonly seen and can be photographed at natural den sites. The area's forest clearing and pastures are prime hunting territory for Great-gray Owls - a species which breeds in the area. Warblers, flycatchers, tanagers, vireos, woodpeckers and so many more make use of countless acres of intact mixed forest adjacent to the lake. 

When we aren't photographing, our deluxe lakeside accommodation will be the perfect place to rest, review images, and enjoy the warm spring weather.

 

Location:

The lake where we will be based out of is near the city of Kamloops, British Columbia. With the well-being of this lake's many breeding birds in mind, we believe it to be imperative that the exact location of this workshop remains confidential. Common Loons are a sought-after species; as a result, in many locations throughout North America, including British Columbia, lakes with active pairs have become overrun with photographers. The location of this workshop will only be made available to participants after the deposit is paid and our confidentiality agreement is signed.  

 

Why participate in this workshop?

  • Two leaders means you will receive more one on one instruction.

  • Our workshops take place in a fun and non-competitive atmosphere.

  • Frequent visits to the area have allowed us to be extremely experienced in locating the wildlife. This ensures that you are in the best place at the best time to capture the best possible images.

  • We are committed to providing you with the greatest possible workshop experience.

  • Not only does this workshop offer unparalleled opportunities to photograph sought-after loons, our knowledge of the area will allow us to photograph an assortment of other exciting subjects.

  • The majority of our locations offer tolerant birds, allowing you to exercise your creative abilities.

  • Known for our unique, eye-catching images, we can help hone your photographic eye.

  • Our advertised images were taken at the workshop sites.

 

 
 

Species List:

  • Common Loon

  • Great Grey Owl (Nesting with young)

  • American Avocet

  • Sharp-tailed Grouse (dancing at lek during early groups)

  • Lesser Scaup

  • Bufflehead

  • Red Fox

  • Western Tanager

  • Horned Grebe

  • Red-necked Grebe

  • Eared Grebe

  • Canada Goose

  • Herring Gull

  • Sora

  • Black Bear

  • Tree Swallow

  • Mule Deer

  • American Robin

  • Chipping Sparrow

  • Savannah Sparrow

  • Yellow Warbler

  • American Redstart

  • Downy Woodpecker

  • Hairy Woodpecker

  • Mountain Bluebird

  • Cassin's Vireo

  • Marsh Wren

  • Virginia Rail

  • Eastern Kingbird

  • Killdeer

  • Wilson’s Snipe

  • Dusky Flycatcher

  • Cedar Waxwing

  • Spotted Sandpiper

  • Ruddy Duck

  • Blue-winged Teal

  • Red-naped Sapsucker

  • Black-backed Woodpecker

  • Three-toed Woodpecker

  • Sandhill Crane

  • Wilson’s Warbler

  • MacGillivray’s Warbler

  • Yellow-bellied Marmot

  • Red Squirrel

  • Bonaparte's Gull

  • Red-winged Blackbird

  • Ruby-crowned Kinglet

  • Red-breasted Nuthatch

  • Townsend's Solitaire

  • Barrow's Goldeneye

  • Great Blue Heron

 

Cost includes:

  • 6 days of photography.

  • 5 nights lodging.

  • Meals.

  • Use of kayaks and SUPs.

  • Unlimited expert photographic instruction and guiding in the field.

  • Post-processing lessons, image reviews, and presentations mid-day.

  • Boat transportation on the lake.

 

Cost does not include:

  • Transportation to and from the workshop from your place of origin.

  • Alcoholic beverages.

  • Trip insurance (we recommend that you acquire this).

 

Suggested Photography Gear:

  • Digital SLR

  • Wide angle lens (example: 16-35mm, 24-70mm)

  • Mid-range lens (example: 70-200mm)

  • Telephoto lens (400mm or larger)

  • Flash

  • Tripod

  • Polarizing filter

  • Cable or wireless shutter remote

  • Bag to carry all of the above in the field

  • Chest waders (useful for certain subjects, but not neccessary) and rubber boots.

  • Spare batteries and memory cards

  • Laptop

 

Lodging:

We will be staying at a very lovely private lakefront house. Depending on each individual group, we will assign rooms accordingly. Rooms will either be private or semi-private. The house is fully equipped, and we're confident that your stay will be comfortable to say the least. 

 

Registration:

In order to participate in this workshop, please email me at connor_stef@hotmail.com, or use the form to the right. Here I will be able to send you all the necessary registration information.

  • Deposits are considered non-refundable. If a cancellation is made prior to 60 days before the start date, the remaining amount (not including the deposit) will be eligible for refund, minus a 5% administrative fee.

    We pride ourselves on operating our workshops with tact and consideration for our valued participants. We will do our very best to fill your space and reimburse you, should you be met with extenuating circumstances.

    * The workshop fee (including deposit) will be eligible for refund should restrictions surrounding COVID-19 prevent us from operating the trip, or prevent your participation - including prohibition of cross-border travel, and interprovincial travel. This does not include complications surrounding COVID testing prior to flights, or other unforeseeable matters pertaining to travel. This also does not include prevention of participation due to a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, or any other illness (if within the 60-day limitation). *

    To ensure reimbursal of costs ineligible for refund, we recommend purchasing travel insurance.