Hummingbird Photography, Photo Tours, Trips and Workshops - Ecuador 2015
Jewels of the Cloud Forest

Workshop Dates:

I've just returned from my annual visit to the cloud forests of Ecuador and it was incredible...again! The weather was a bit more challenging this year, with nearly daily rains, yet the hummingbird activity was even more frenzied than last year. Weather conditions earlier in the year may have contributed to fewer Hummingbirds at the lodge on the eastern slopes. So I've adjusted the 2014 itinerary to keep us where the hummingbirds are, the western Andes. We will spend only a couple of days on the eastern slopes to try to capture a few interesting species not found at our other location, such as the sword-billed hummingbird, long-tailed sylph, white-fronted woodstar, collared inca and tourmaline sunangel. Depending on the quantity of birds here, we may or may not set up the multi-flash systems at this lodge. For those interested, this is also the location where we have our best chance at torrent ducks, a unique duck that actually lives in the rushing water of the fast moving river.

We then take a 3-hour ride to our lodge on the western slopes where the hummingbird activity has been spectacular. We will definitely use the multi-flash setups here to capture beautiful flight shots. And it is here where we will spend the majority of our time. One thing I have learned is that the longer you stay put, the better the pictures become. You really need time to learn the different birds' behavior patterns to get the really nice shots. We minimize travel time and maximize shooting time. Below is a list of the hummingbirds I photographed on the western slope this past December (2013):

Take a look at the video below. This was shot while I went to lunch one day. In 9 minutes at least 13 or 14 species visit.

If you'd like to join me ... then read on!!!

Join Mark Thomas in Ecuador, a country that boasts some 150+ hummingbird species, and pictures like these can become a reality. You don't need any specialized equipment or training. Mark provides all of that and more. You simply need your digital SLR camera, a lens of about 200mm (a good zoom lens works best), a tripod, an electronic cable release and the desire to capture incredible images of these flying jewels.

Mark has been a professional wildlife photographer for over 25 years and has photographed on every continent from Africa to Antarctica. He is also an accomplished underwater photographer. But his recent trips to Ecuador to photograph its magnificent hummingbirds were unlike anything he had ever experienced. One of the keys to capturing images like those you see here is spending the maximum amount of time at each location. Only then are you able to learn the unique behaviors of each species, and more importantly, of individual birds. Mark will help you capture these exciting shots. "When you take the time to really learn your subjects, they will often present you with amazing photographic opportunities." In fact, one of the images Mark captured on this trip last year will hang in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History as a category WINNER in the Nature's Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Photography Competition. It was also awarded an Honorable Mention in the National Wildlife Photo Contest.

Take advantage of what Mark has learned and is eager to share by joining him at the EXACT SAME LOCATIONS where these pictures were taken. This year, he captured remarkable images of over 20 hummingbird species in 1 week.

Mark provides all of the specialized equipment needed such as strobes, triggers, light stands and backgrounds. Variety is the key. Not only as it relates to different species, but also to different environments, lighting and behaviors. To that end, he adjusts the strobes, flowers and backgrounds to give you the most variety of photographic opportunities possible. He is especially alert to behavior patterns of his subjects. And nowhere is that more important than when photographing hummingbirds. They are like lightning. And the only way to get the really exciting shots, is to be able to anticipate their behavior and be ready.

This trip is truly a workshop and not simply a tour (What's the Difference?). While there will be ample opportunities for you to hike the many trails surrounding the lodges and see other unique species such as masked trogons, tanagers and toucanets (Guided day-trips can be arranged if you like at additional cost), this particular trip concentrates on capturing those once-in-a-lifetime images of hummingbirds in flight. We stay in a very comfortable lodges with private baths and hot water in each room. We will be shooting only a few steps from our rooms. The flash setups will be available to you from dawn until dusk. How long and often you shoot is entirely up to you. Along with a variety of hummingbird feeders, the lodges put out fruit to attract other species as well. One even has a  "moth cloth" set up with special lights to attract moths at night. The variety of moths is remarkable. Not only do these moths attract insect-eating birds such as the  beautiful masked trogon to within easy camera range, they also make incredible subjects for macro photography. So bring a macro lens ( a 100mm macro works great ) and a dedicated flash unit for your camera. If you want a break from the hummingbirds, there are several hiking trails around the lodge. This year, Mark did a couple of "night hikes' along the forest trails in search of frogs and insects, also great subjects for your macro rig. Weather permitting, we'll do that again for those interested so be sure to bring a flashlight or a headlamp.

Besides his expertise in the field, Mark is very skilled in Photoshop. He still exhibits at juried fine art shows across the country and prints every piece he displays himself, even on canvas. While he believes that a good photographer makes all the decisions BEFORE releasing the shutter (like in the film days) and that only minimal adjustments should need to be made after the fact, there are those times when knowing how to "fix" an image after it was taken can be a life-saver. Mark will show you how to do exactly that.

Here is a quick glimpse of some of what he shares with you:

 - Camera settings (ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed etc...), how to choose them and when to use them (take your camera off of "Automatic" and feel comfortable doing so)
 - How your camera's exposure meter works and when to trust it or override it
 - How to work with multiple flash setups in the field
 - Why you never ever ever make adjustments to a JPEG (that doesn't mean that you can't shoot JPEGS). He will explain why.
 - RAW or JPEG, how they differ and which is right for you
 - Many non-destructive ways of adjusting your images in Photoshop
 - Removing "flaws" (like that bug that flies into the frame) using 'layers' and 'masks'
 - How to resize images for e-mail, web use, or printing (including printing on canvas)
 - The actual workflow and adjustments he uses to take an image from camera to printer / stock agency / e-mail
 - And even how to make Photoshop do repetitive tasks to an entire folder of images while you're at lunch with friends ... and so much more.

Mark is happy to share his photographic knowledge. So feel free to ask him about non-hummingbird related topics too.

Why Ecuador?

Besides the overall birdlife and the unparalleled number of hummingbird species, traveling to Ecuador is easy.

 - A short, 4-hour flight from Miami
 - Same time zone as Miami (in fact, Quito is actually EAST of Miami)
 - Same 120 Volt electricity as the U.S.
 - The US dollar is the official currency of Ecuador
 - Great Value for your Money
 - And did I mention the HUMMINGBIRDS?

Trip Itinerary:

Day 1:	Arrive in Quito. Transfer to your hotel. We stay at a very nice hotel with a restaurant and Wi-Fi.
Day 2:	Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to our lodge in the eastern Andes. Arrive before lunch. Mark will assess the situation to see if it warrants a multi-flash setup while you get acquainted with the lodge and property. If not, there are still great opportunities to photograph the hummers unique to this area perching near the feeders. (Bring a dedicated flash unit for your SLR for best results. Remember that we will be in the cloud forest, making natural light shots challenging. The best results are obtained by balancing natural light with flash from your camera. Mark will show you how).
Day 3:	Hummingbird photography. If the torrent ducks have been sighted, we can try our luck at them as well.
Day 4:	After breakfast, transfer to our lodge in the western Andes. Arrive before lunch. Mark will prepare the multi-flash setups while you get acquainted with the lodge and property. After lunch, the hummingbirds await.
Day 5:	Hummingbird photography.
Day 6:	Hummingbird photography.
Day 7:	Hummingbird photography.
Day 8:	Hummingbird photography.
Day 9:	Hummingbird Photography up through lunchtime. Leave for Quito after lunch. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 10:	Depart Quito for Home
Next Day	Make your friends jealous with the pictures you captured