Posted by Liz Stanley on February 22, 2008 at 11:13 AM
Just thought I'd pass the word along about the International Festival of Owls, held at the Houston (MN) Nature Center, coming up the first weekend of March. I have never attended the festival before, but another photographer recommended it to me. There is an entire day devoted to owl photography, with captive owl photo sessions in the morning, and a techniques class for afternoon and evening. The photo sessions and the class cost extra, and the proceeds go to organizations that help raptors. They still have open spots for these photography events, for anyone who is interested. The Houston Nature Center is home to Alice the great-horned owl who is the owl behind this festival. I don't have any connection to the festival or the nature center, other than someone who is attending and thinks it will be a lot of fun!
Personally I think it's great that a birding festival offers this much for photographers, because often birders and bird photographers often have very different goals, and I'd love to see more birding events doing the same. I enjoy seeing and learning about new species, and learn a lot from birders, but often they don't understand how close you have to get for photography, even with a large telephoto lens. Most of them have spotting scopes and can view birds from a great distance. For example, I attended the Sax-Zim Bog festival of birds, and brought my camera gear along in the hopes of getting some photos of boreal species. I did get some, but it's difficult when you're with a large group of birders. At next year's festival, they are already planning to some photography-specific activities. Even though I didn't get too many photos, it was a lot of fun and a great opportunity to see many boreal species in the winter.
Posted by Toni Lankerd on February 22, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Thanks for the heads up, Liz! I don't live any where near MN, but I know there are others in this forum who do and might be interested.
Chuck...can you put this on the Events list?
Posted by Liz Stanley on February 22, 2008 at 1:31 PM
Glad to help - I figure the more interest people show in events like this, the more likely they'll continue to offer them. Also I think it's good if birders can see that photography opportunities attract more people to these types of festivals.
Posted by Philip Schwarz on February 22, 2008 at 4:41 PM
Thanks for the information. Huston isn't all that far away for me.
Posted by Dan Borzynski on February 22, 2008 at 7:39 PM
For those of you closer to Toledo, International Migratory Birds Day events at Magee March (second weekend of May) usually includes a raptor display, with birds nicely perched for portrait photography. Things are beginning to look like I'll be able to get up there this year (anyone interested in meeting there?)
I'd love to attend to the MN event, but this isn't an option right now for me.
Discussion
4 repliesPersonally I think it's great that a birding festival offers this much for photographers, because often birders and bird photographers often have very different goals, and I'd love to see more birding events doing the same. I enjoy seeing and learning about new species, and learn a lot from birders, but often they don't understand how close you have to get for photography, even with a large telephoto lens. Most of them have spotting scopes and can view birds from a great distance. For example, I attended the Sax-Zim Bog festival of birds, and brought my camera gear along in the hopes of getting some photos of boreal species. I did get some, but it's difficult when you're with a large group of birders. At next year's festival, they are already planning to some photography-specific activities. Even though I didn't get too many photos, it was a lot of fun and a great opportunity to see many boreal species in the winter.
Chuck...can you put this on the Events list?
I'd love to attend to the MN event, but this isn't an option right now for me.