Texas Birds in Flight

At a Glance

Location

McAllen, Texas

Tuition

$4,995

Dates

April 27 – 30, 2028

Fitness Level

Easy

Availability

Limited to 8 Guests

Collections

Short Escape
US National Parks and Wilderness

Texas Birds in Flight Photography Workshop

Name: Texas Birds in Flight
Start: 2028-04-27
End: 2028-04-30
Location: Texas Birds in Flight

A focused approach to photographing birds on perches and in flight.

April 27 – 30, 2028

Photograph songbirds and raptors against clean backgrounds
Morning and evening sessions in multiple blinds for varied images
A 4:1 guest-to-pro ratio for hands-on teaching on action images

In the scrublands of South Texas, a mix of resident and migratory birds are drawn into the same space by the reliable availability of water and food. From a series of well-positioned blinds, you’re able to photograph a wide variety of species and behaviors at close range.

Rather than searching for birds across large areas, you’ll be positioned at dawn as activity builds, with songbirds, raptors, and seasonal migrants moving between perches and pools of water just a few meters in front of you.

What makes this setting so effective is the opportunity to slow down and refine your approach. Birds return repeatedly, allowing you to adjust compositions and experiment as conditions evolve. Clean, distant backgrounds and carefully considered perch placement make it possible to isolate subjects in a way that is rarely achievable in the field. Rather than reacting to fleeting moments, you begin to anticipate them.

Species here range from painted, indigo, and varied buntings to green jays, crested caracaras, harris’s hawks, golden-fronted woodpeckers, long-billed thrashers, and scissor-tailed flycatchers, to name just a few.

Throughout the workshop, your instructors will work closely with you in the field and during image reviews, helping you develop a more consistent and thoughtful approach to photographing birds. With a small group, just four per hide alongside one pro, there is time for individual guidance, whether that’s refining focus technique, capturing birds in flight, improving composition, or anticipating behavior.

By the end of your time in South Texas, you will leave with a strong portfolio of bird images, but more importantly, with a clearer understanding of how to approach bird photography on your own. The goal is not just to capture striking images here, but to build skills that translate far beyond this setting.

Your Pros

Lisa LaPointe

Pam Dorner

Itinerary

About the wildlife: This workshop offers significant opportunities for photographing wildlife, and while we do our best to maximize our wildlife encounters—based on past experiences, local knowledge, and the current conditions—we need to impress upon you that the wildlife really is wild and that we don’t control it.

This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.

April 27, 2028: Arrival, Orientation, First Blinds Session

Arrive at McAllen Miller International Airport (MFE), McAllen, Texas before 2:00 PM today. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.

You’ll arrive in South Texas and meet your pros and fellow guests in the mid-afternoon. After a brief introduction and orientation, you’ll head out for your first session in the blinds. This initial session is designed to get you comfortable with the setup and to dial in exposure, autofocus, and composition as birds move through the scene. You’ll photograph a range of species at close distance, with time to adjust as opportunities repeat. After the session, you’ll return to town for dinner.

April 28–29, 2028: Early Morning Blinds, Editing Session, Afternoon Blinds

You’ll begin early, heading out before sunrise to be in position as the first light reaches the perches and reflection pools. Working from a variety of morning and evening blinds, you’ll photograph both songbirds and larger species throughout the day.

During the midday heat, you’ll return to town for lunch and either a joint editing session (where your pros will demonstrate and help you use tools within Lightroom) or an in-depth image review of everyone’s images for constructive feedback on where you can improve before the next shoot. This is an important part of the workshop, as it allows you to refine your approach before the next session.

In the mid-afternoon, you’ll head back to the blinds for a second session, working in softer light and often with different behavior and species.

April 30, 2028: Breakfast, Image Review, Departure

On your final morning, you’ll enjoy a relaxed breakfast followed by a longer image review. This is a chance to revisit your images from the workshop, reinforce key concepts, and ask any remaining questions before departing for flights after midday.

Flights out can be made after 2:00 PM on April 30, 2028.

Testimonials

Konrad M.

Bosque del Apache '26

Pam single-handedly, with one line, had me changing focus area and boom! Suddenly I'm shooting tack sharp shots of birds in flight as if I'd been doing it for years!

Howard W.

Bosque del Apache '25

This was my first Muench workshop. The teacher student ratio allowed for individual attention and assistance.

Jim N.

Bosque del Apache '25

Pam did a great job putting us in the right place at the right time.

Jason S.

Outer Banks: Shape

The instruction is what really makes Muench workshop a Muench workshop. From the field to dedicated image reviews, the pros always go the extra mile in explaining their creative process and showing how they process images.

Jeff S.

Lisa is a consummate pro: agile enough to meet clients of all styles and levels where they are, confident enough to stimulate new ideas and learning, and humble enough to appreciate her own learning advances thanks to others in a workshop. The resulting workshop dynamic is quite energizing and fun!

Bob N.

After two workshops with Lisa, I can confirm that she is a fantastic teacher and Pro to travel with!

Gloria S.

South Texas Wildlife '22

Lisa is an excellent instructor and was very willing to help each individual improve and attain their goals. She was very helpful to me and I appreciate her dedication to helping me increase my skills!

Doug G.

South Texas Wildlife '22

Lisa is an excellent photographer and a VERY good teacher, as well as a terrific human being. She did her utmost to optimize the opportunities available to us and had lots of good tips for making the best of things.

Gallery

muench workshops photo, usa, texas, cardinal bird, spread wings, flight, cactus, spines, green leaves, purple flowers, daylight, clear sky

muench workshops photo, usa, texas, painted bunting, small bird, blue feathers on head, red chest feathers, bright green back feathers, wet feathers, splashes of water, shallow water, blurred stones in background, purple flowers in background

muench workshops photo, usa, texas, bird in flight, cardinal bird, red wings, orange beak, tree stump, green blurred background

muench workshops photo, usa, texas, crested caracara, two turkey vultures perched on branches, caracara with wings spread in flight, dry branches with green leaves, cactus in foreground, blurred natural background

muench workshops photo, usa, texas, scissor tailed flycatcher, bird in flight, gray and orange feathers, water droplets, green blurred background

muench workshops photo, usa, texas, northern mockingbird, bird, brown and white plumage, long tail, perched on branch, green leaves, dense foliage, daylight

muench workshops photo, usa, texas, northern cardinal bird, red plumage, black facial mask, perched on branch, green leaves

muench workshops photo, usa, texas, red winged blackbird, small bird, perched on branch, colorful plumage, green leaves, blurred background

muench workshops photo, usa, texas, crested caracara, three crested caracara birds, one bird landing, two birds on grassy ground, open outdoor environment, green blurred background

muench workshops photo, usa, texas, red winged blackbird, northern cardinal, black bird with red wing patch, red bird flying, wooden tree stump, green blurry background

muench workshops photo, usa, texas, red winged blackbird, black bird with red and orange patch on wing, perched on weathered tree stump, green leaves on plant, blurred natural background

muench workshops photo, usa, texas, great kiskadee, bird with black and white head pattern, brown wings, perched on a branch, green leaves, outdoor natural setting

muench workshops photo, usa, texas, long billed thrashers, brown bird in flight, cactus with spines, purple flowers, green leaves, blurred green background

muench workshops photo, usa, texas, long billed thrasher, brown bird with spotted chest, yellow eye, beak touching water droplet, smooth rocks, purple flowers, green leaves, still water

muench workshops photo, usa, texas, black vulture, wrinkled head skin, beak, feathers, eye, close up, bird

muench workshops photo, usa, texas, painted bunting, colorful bird, water droplets, splashing water, rocky background, purple flowers

muench workshops photo, usa, texas, cardinal, bird with raised wings, crested bird, yellow beak, perched on cactus, green cactus with spines, gray and brown feathers, outdoors, daylight

muench workshops photo, usa, texas, green jay bird, blue and black head, long blue tail, perched on branch, red tubular flowers, sharp beak, feathers visible

muench workshops photo, usa, texas, caracara bird, dry twisted log, prickly pear cactus, green grass, blurry forest background

muench workshops photo, usa, texas, bird, small bird, female cardinal, orange beak, rocks, water reflection, purple flowers, green leaves, garden, sunlight

Photographing Using Perch Setups

Much like feeding birds in your garden, the ranch uses water features and natural food sources to encourage birds to visit the area regularly. In this region, where water can be limited, these resources also support local and migratory species.

Birds are free to come and go, and no animals are handled or restrained. Setups are designed to reflect natural behavior, allowing for repeatable photographic opportunities while maintaining a respectful approach to wildlife. Birds of prey are attracted to certain setups using small amounts of meat. However, this is not done daily, and they continue to maintain a natural diet outside of workshop periods.

Fitness

Easy: Photography is from seated positions in blinds, with minimal walking and a midday break built into the schedule.

Flights

Arrive at McAllen Miller International Airport (MFE), McAllen before 2:00 PM on April 27, 2028. Flights out can be made after 2:00 PM on April 30, 2028. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.

What to Bring

Please see our page How To Prepare For Your Workshop. We will send you a detailed information document 90 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear and clothing recommendations, and more.

What’s Included

Double occupancy lodging. Single available for a $400 supplement.
All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
All permits and park fees.
All transportation during the workshop.
Multiple image reviews and post-processing sessions.
Photographic guiding and instruction from 2 pros.
Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!

Not Included

Single occupancy available for $400 supplement.
Travel to and from McAllen, Texas.
Unscheduled airport transfers.
Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
Any meals or accommodations before or after the workshop dates.
Items of a personal nature.
Alcoholic beverages.
Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
Anything else specifically not listed as included.
Single rooming is available for a $400 supplement.

Payment Terms

Your deposit of $2,995 will hold your space in this workshop.
The balance is due not later than December 1, 2027.
All of our standard Terms and Conditions apply, including our cancellation and refund policy.
Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.

Frequently Asked Questions

What techniques will I learn during the Texas Birds in Flight workshop?

You'll learn to refine your focus tracking and technique, capture birds in flight, improve composition, and anticipate bird behavior. The workshop emphasizes developing a consistent and thoughtful approach to bird photography.

Is this workshop refundable?

Yes, this workshop is refundable. If you cancel more than 150 days before the start date, you'll receive a full refund. Cancellations between 150 and 91 days receive a refund of payments exceeding 50% of tuition, and between 90 and 61 days, a refund of payments exceeding 75% of tuition. No refunds are given within 60 days unless we fill your space, in which case you'll receive a 100% refund. All refunds are issued by the original payment method and are subject to a 5% administrative processing fee.

What kind of birds can I expect to photograph in South Texas?

You can expect to photograph a variety of species, including painted, indigo, and varied buntings, green jays, crested caracaras, Harris's hawks, golden-fronted woodpeckers, long-billed thrashers, and scissor-tailed flycatchers.

How is the photography setup organized for this workshop?

You'll be photographing from well-positioned blinds that allow you to capture birds at close range. The setups use water features and natural food sources to attract birds, providing repeatable photographic opportunities while respecting wildlife.

What is the maximum group size for this workshop?

The workshop accommodates a maximum of 8 participants, ensuring personalized guidance and ample time for individual instruction from the two professional photographers.

Do I need to bring any specific photography gear?

It's recommended to bring lenses suitable for bird photography, such as telephoto lenses with focal lengths ranging from 300mm to 600mm, to capture detailed images of the birds in flight and at rest.

Are meals and lodging included in the workshop fee?

Yes, all meals, soft drinks, snacks, and double occupancy lodging are included in the workshop fee. A single room is available for an additional $400 supplement.