Join acclaimed high desert photographer Mary Williams Hyde for an intimate, conservation centered weekend of bird and wildlife photography. Mary’s work, as seen in “https://buckaroocountry.smugmug.com/Birds-and-Wildlife” showcasing the rich birdlife and ranch country of the West, making her a perfect guide for a small-group field experience focused on both artistry and ethics.
These two and a half day workshops are designed to deepen technical skills, fieldcraft and ethical approaches to wildlife photography. The weekend combines guided field time exploring the national wildlife refuges and the wildlife that call them home with photo-editing. Your hosts will be eager to share information about the history, purpose and ecological value of the Refuges.
To preserve a high-quality, personalized experience, participation will be capped at 8 participants.
The FULL WEEKEND ticket includes Lodging, Meals, and Transportation in addition to 2.5 days of programming.
Transportation during the field day will be via passenger van.
All meals will be coordinated for you.
There is a ‘Local Rate’ option for participants who will not require lodging.
Klamath Lodging: Fairfield Inn (Klamath Falls, OR)
Malheur Lodging: Malheur Field Station (Princeton, OR)
Participants MUST bring their own bedding to the Malheur Field Station
Friday: Welcome
Participants will convene for dinner and a casual meet-and-greet. You will be welcomed by program host Janelle Wicks of Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and Instructor Mary Williams Hyde. This opening session offers time to get to know your hosts and fellow attendees, review the weekend schedule, and answer questions about equipment, conditions, and skill levels.
Saturday and Sunday: Classroom and Refuge Field Days
Start the day in the classroom for a brief orientation to the landscape, wildlife, and seasonal conditions. Participants will receive an overview of the day’s route, driving plan, and safety considerations before heading out. Throughout the day, Mary will provide in-the-field instruction on light, composition, behavior-based shooting, and working with distance and habitat elements. A major focus will be ethical photography and wildlife viewing—how to recognize signs of stress, respect closures and sensitive areas, and prioritize conservation outcomes over “getting the shot.”
Evenings: Guest Speakers TBD
Participants will reconvene for a discussion that weaves the connections between the natural history of the region, conservation, and ethical recreation. These evening programs are an opportunity to explore the subject from beyond the lens.
Monday: Image Editing & Farewell
In this final morning session Mary will host a photo-editing class for workshop participants. Using images from the field, she will walk through culling, basic adjustments, and approaches to postprocessing that maintain the integrity and authenticity of wildlife images. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about workflow, file management, and preparing photos for sharing or printing.
BONUS: Every participant will receive a copy of Common Waterbirds of the Great Basin, a collaborative project published by Mary Williams Hyde, Shannon Rio, Loree Johnson, Jack Noller.
CONTRIBUTE TO CONSERVATION
Participants will be invited to share images, as they wish, taken on the Refuges during the workshop(s) as part of an outreach effort that promotes the importance of these special places and the wildlife that depend on them.
All proceeds from the registration fee directly supports the education, advocacy, and stewardship work of the Friends of Malheur NWR.
REGISTER HERE!
QUESTIONS? Email [email protected]
