2025 Winter Birds of Vancouver
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Dates for 2022: Feb 21-25 (SOLD OUT) | Feb 27 - Mar 3 (SOLD OUT) | Mar 6-10 (SOLD OUT) | Mar 13-17 (SOLD OUT) | Mar 18-21 (SOLD OUT)
Dates for 2023: February 13-17 (SOLD OUT) | February 20-24 (SOLD OUT) | February 26 - March 2 (SOLD OUT) | March 5-9 (SOLD OUT) | March 12-16 (SOLD OUT)
Dates for 2024: February 12-16 (SOLD OUT), February 19-23 (SOLD OUT), February 25-29 (SOLD OUT), March 3-7 (SOLD OUT), March 10-14 (SOLD OUT)
Dates for 2025: February 17-21, February 23-27, March 2-6
Leaders: Jess Findlay and Connor Stefanison
Fee: $2950 CAD (Approx. $2200 USD) + 5% GST
Deposit: $600 CAD
Maximum Group Size: 5 Photographers
Special requirements: Must enjoy birds
Workshop Introduction:
Vancouver is without a doubt, one of the best major cities in the world for wildlife photography. With abundant city parks, snow-capped mountains, freshwater and saltwater wetlands, you're never far from a great bird photography location in this city.
Birders and photographers flock to this region, not only to see many of the west coast specialties, but also for the multitude of migratory species that spend the winter in this Important Bird Area (IBA), that encompasses much of the Fraser River Delta. The area supports the highest bird diversity in Canada throughout the winter, with well over 150 species.
We'll have amazing opportunities to photograph species such as: Short-eared Owls, Snowy Owls (during irruption years), Barred Owls, Green-winged Teal, Wood Ducks, and more!
We hope you can join us for four full days of world-class bird photography in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada!
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.
Vancouver is our hometown, and we are very experienced in locating the area’s 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.
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.
All of our advertised images were taken at the workshop sites.
Cost includes:
Four full days of photography, plus one additional evening of meet and greet.
Unlimited expert photographic instruction and guiding in the field
Image reviews and post-processing instruction.
Transportation to Vancouver Island for one day of the workshop.
Cost does not include:
Transportation
Meals
Beverages
Lodging
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: 100-400mm)
Telephoto lens (400mm or larger). You will use this 95% of the time.
Flash
Tripod
Polarizing filter
Cable or wireless shutter remote
Bag to carry all of the above in the field
Most Commonly Encountered Species:
Short-eared Owl
Barred Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Northern Pygmy Owl
Great Grey Owl
Snowy Owl*
Long-eared Owl
Great horned Owl
Barn Owl
Northern Harrier
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Anna’s Hummingbird
Wood Duck
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Northern Pintail
Mallard
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
American Wigeon
Snow Goose
Trumpeter Swan
Sandhill Crane
Great Blue Heron
Black Oystercatcher
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Red-winged Black Bird
California Quail
Steller's Jay
Common Goldeneye
Harlequin Duck
* = During irruption years
Participant Images:
Getting here:
If you are visiting from out of town, we recommend that you fly into one of the following airports:
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Abbotsford International Airport (YXX)
Bellingham International Airport (BLI)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Transportation:
You are responsible for providing your own transportation during the workshop. We recommend that you either carpool with other workshop participants, or use your own vehicle/rental vehicle. We will provide you with the contact information of other participants, so that you can organize carpooling arrangements.
Lodging:
We recommend staying at the following hotel. We will be meeting there every morning.
Best Western Plus Kings Inn & Conference Centre - Burnaby, B.C
Schedule:
On the first day, we will meet in the evening for an intro dinner.
Each morning we will meet in the morning to begin photographing just before sunrise (approx. 6:45am).
Closer to noon and when the light is at its highest point, we will break for lunch.
After lunch, we will continue photographing until just after sunset (approx. 6:00pm).
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.
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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.