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Winter Birds of Bosque del Apache
At a Glance
Location
New Mexico, USA
Tuition
$4,495
Dates
January 14 – 17, 2027
Fitness Level
Availability
Limited to 8 Guests
Collections
- Short Escape
- Signature Collection
- US National Parks and Wilderness
Winter Birds of Bosque del Apache Photography Workshop
Wildlife Photography in the Winter light
January 14 – 17, 2027
- Soft, golden light over vast wetlands, where migratory cranes flock
- Brilliant white snow geese, majestic bald eagles, and soaring harriers
- Enhance your composition, technique, and exposure settings for birds
Every winter, tens of thousands of migratory birds pour into the Middle Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico, filling the sky with motion and sound. Snow geese, Ross’s Geese, and sandhill cranes arrive in droves, making this one of North America’s most amazing wildlife spectacles—and a bird photography opportunity you won’t want to miss.
This workshop is timed to coincide with peak winter migration and focuses on two of the region’s best birding spots: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge and the Ladd S. Gordon Wildlife Complex. At Bosque, the combination of wetlands and desert landscapes, framed by the Chupadera and San Pascual Mountains, makes for perfect bird-in-flight, takeoff, landing and interaction shots. The light is magical from dawn pastels to sunset gold, ideal for capturing dynamic images with strong composition and detail.
We’ll also shoot at the Ladd S. Gordon Wildlife Complex, a quieter gem along the Central Flyway. This location offers more intimate encounters with species like bald eagles, northern harriers, American kestrels, herons, pintails and more. Between locations, we’ll be on the lookout for wildlife like mule deer, coyotes and even the elusive bobcat to add variety to the portfolio you’ll build over the week.
Throughout the workshop, our pro photographers will be on hand to help you, focus on fast-moving subjects, exposure settings, and composition. Image review sessions will offer valuable feedback and post-processing tips to get the most out of your shots.
Whether you’re an experienced wildlife photographer or just starting out, this workshop is about more than just getting birds—it’s about telling the story of migration through your images and experiencing nature on the move.
Your Pros
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.
January 14, 2027: Arrive in Socorro, Meet and Greet, Evening Wildlife Photography
Fly into Albuquerque New Mexico and drive to Socorro. The drive is just over an hour and If you are interested in sharing a ride, let us know and we’ll connect you with others looking for the same. Or you can rent a vehicle or use an app like Uber.
Arrive in Socorro, New Mexico, anytime before 12:00 PM at the Holiday Inn Express. We will have a short meet and greet, and we’ll discuss our plans for the days ahead.
After checking in, we will head out to our first evening shoot. We will photograph the wildlife as long as our cameras will focus on them. We’ll then head to a local eatery for dinner.
January 15, 2027: Early Morning Foggy Wildlife Shoot, Breakfast, Sunset Waterfowl Photography
We’ll head out early, hoping to see the steam rising from the water and capturing images of wildlife in the fog. Once our cards are full, we’ll head out to breakfast at another local restaurant famous for its fantastic breakfast.
We’ll head back to the hotel for our first image review. We’ll make sure everyone is capturing the images they were hoping for. We’ll take a short break and then head back out for another sunset shoot to photograph flying waterfowl as they pass through a full moon. We’ll head back for a well-deserved dinner in Socorro.
January 16, 2027: Sunrise Captures, Wildlife Scouting, Evening Photography Session
Another early morning planned to capture the magic of sunrise. After sunrise, we’ll take a loop around the park to try to find birds of prey and the many mammals that abound this time of year. We’ll head into town for a good, hearty breakfast and spend the rest of the morning with an image review and processing. After a short break, we’ll photograph more wildlife at sunset, followed by dinner in town.
January 17, 2027: Final Sunrise Wildlife Shoot, Last Image Review, Check-out and Farewells
Today is our final sunrise shoot, we will head out with high hopes of capturing new, amazing images. We’ll then head back for breakfast, check out of the hotel, and have our last image review. This will be the time to load our bags into vehicles and head out to Albuquerque for flights home. If you are ride-sharing, it will be a chance to reflect on a great trip during the hour-long drive.
Fitness
Easy: Short walks in the cold on icy walkways. Much time standing in cold conditions working with your camera.
Flights
Arrive at Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), Albuquerque, New Mexico before 10:00 AM on January 14, 2027. Flights out can be made after 3:00 PM on January 17, 2027. 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 $385 supplement.
- All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
- All permits and park fees.
- All transportation during the workshop.
- Tips for crew, drivers, and local guides.
- Multiple image reviews and post-processing sessions.
- Photographic guiding and instruction from 2 pros.
- Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!
Not Included
- Travel to and from Socorro.
- 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 available for $385 supplement.
Payment Terms
- Your deposit of $2,495 will hold your space in this workshop.
- The balance is due not later than September 1, 2026.
- All of our standard Terms and Conditions apply.
- Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.
Frequently Asked Questions
You'll have the opportunity to photograph a variety of birds, including snow geese, Ross's geese, sandhill cranes, bald eagles, northern harriers, and American kestrels. Additionally, you might encounter mule deer, coyotes, and possibly even a bobcat.
You'll learn how to focus on fast-moving subjects, adjust exposure settings for dynamic lighting conditions, and enhance your composition skills. The workshop also includes image review sessions with post-processing tips to help you get the most out of your shots.
Yes, this workshop is refundable. You can receive a full refund if you cancel more than 150 days before the start date. If you cancel 150–91 days before, you'll receive a refund of payments exceeding 50% of tuition, and 90–61 days before, a refund of payments exceeding 75% of tuition. No refunds are given within 60 days unless your spot is filled, in which case you receive a 100% refund. All refunds are issued by the same payment method and are subject to a 5% administrative processing fee.
The workshop has a maximum capacity of 8 participants, ensuring a personalized experience with plenty of one-on-one guidance from the two professional photographers leading the trip.
The workshop involves easy physical activity, with short walks on icy walkways and extended periods of standing in cold conditions while working with your camera.
Bring warm clothing suitable for cold weather, as you'll be spending a lot of time outdoors. For photography, wide-angle lenses from 14–35mm for landscapes and telephoto lenses from 100–400mm for bird photography are recommended.
While travel medical and trip cancellation insurance is optional, it is recommended to protect your investment and provide peace of mind during your travels.
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