Bird Photography Tour
“Over 300-plus bird species, including 60% of all North American birds and 40% of the nation's waterfowl find food, shelter, and safe passage on the Mississippi Flyway, one of the greatest migration corridors on the planet.”
- Audubon Center at Riverlands
Group Tour
The Audubon Center at Riverlands offers a multitude of locations for photographic opportunities, including grassland perches, shorebirds, forested areas, and numerous birds in flight.
We schedule this tour strategically throughout the year to capitalize on the annual behavior of our avian friends. We’ll focus on different areas of the sanctuary as opportunities arise.
This is an excellent Tour to get practice in the field with an experienced wildlife photographer.
$79 / person
3+ Hours
Dates & Times:
Duration:
Price:
Book Now for Dates & Times
Typically, the Last Saturday of the Month. No scheduled events in December.
Start times vary throughout the year to take advantage of the best light and target species activity.
Location:
Audubon Center at Riverlands
301 Riverlands Way, West Alton, MO 63386
How It Works:
Book Now to select a date that works for you.
Small groups (max 5 guests) allow us to find great opportunities and provide tailored instruction to each participant
Let us know any specific goals, a little about your photographic style, and what gear you plan to bring through our form during checkout.
Rent any gear that you may be missing or would like to try
Arrive at the meeting Location at least 15 minutes early
Your guide will provide instructions during a brief introduction, the group will make its way to a great location, timed to take advantage of the Golden Hour light.
What You Should Bring:
Required:
Camera
“Point and Shoot” or “Bridge” Cameras are perfectly fine for this Tour.
Some photographers may decide to bring two camera bodies to allow for choices of mounted lenses in the field.
Lenses
We can support lenses of any size. We suggest a lens between 100 - 600mm. If you prefer more environmental shots, lenses starting at 28mm may be appropriate.
Please note that group tours may include others with differing focal lengths.
Fully charged battery
Memory Card
Appropriate Clothing for the Tour
Wear neutral, earth-tone colors like khaki, brown, beige, gray, and olive. Breathable clothing with layers for temperature control is best.
Optional:
Camera Bag
Camera Straps
Camera Support (Tripod, Monopod)
Sunscreen
Insect Repellent
What We Provide:
One or more experienced photographers will guide you and assist with photography.
Please note that this is a Tour, not a Workshop (learn more about the differences here). As such, this event focuses on placing participants in prime locations and at optimal times for great photographs.
Your guide will assist with photography in the field (including but not limited to camera settings, composition, field craft, species identification, etc.).
Water & Snacks
Refunds, Cancellations, & Rescheduling:
The standard Refunds, Cancellations, and Rescheduling Policy applies.
Private Tour
Experience the same great Tour but with one-on-one guidance.
Benefits of Private Tours:
Additional time - We will arrive on location earlier to have more time to photograph and scope out a spot for the golden hour.
It’s all about you! Tailored locations and subjects based solely on your preferences.
Instruction and guidance are specific to your photography style, goals, gear, and preferred setup.
Distances from the subject are based on your focal lengths, not the group.
There’s a greater opportunity for teaching time in the field.
We can be more agile and get to different locations/angles without a larger group.
Within respectful limits, we can typically get closer to wildlife.
$349 (up to 2 people)
5+ Hours
Duration:
Price:
$79 / additional person (max of 5 in a group)
NOTE: Benefits for a Private Tour with more than 2 people change. Now it’s more about having one group that can decide together.
Dates & Times:
Book Now for Dates & Times
Dates are the same as group tours, though the times are different. Private Tours start earlier.
Gear can be one of the most expensive aspects of photography.
While there are less expensive options, a professional wildlife setup can cost $20,000 - $40,000. Often, it’s ideal to rent what you need for the time you need it.
If you’re taking a trip, want to try out a new piece of gear before buying it, or have a shot that requires a specific item, take a look at our rentals.
Individual Items
Kits
Packaged “Kits” for particular applications and/or budgets. Save up to 20% off by bundling.
Policies
Rentals are available in 24-hour increments
If you're not joining a Tour / Workshop, please contact us to arrange pickup. (Additional charges may apply.)
If the item is damaged, lost, or stolen, renter will pay $500 deductible or replacement cost of item(s), whichever is less. (For large rentals, the $500 deductible may be held in advance.)
Need help preparing for this tour?
Enroll in a Private Instruction session, and we’ll cover it in detail.