PERU: THE MOST BIODIVERSE PLACE ON THE PLANET DATE: Sept 17-28, 2019 - - JOIN FUTURE WISH LISTS CULTURAL EXTENSION: Sept 28 - Oct 3, 2019 MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE: 6 Photographers FROM: Cusco, Peru WORKSHOP LEADER: Jess Findlay - GET TO KNOW YOUR GUIDE EMAIL GLENN TO JOIN THE WISH LIST FOR 2019 PERU VIDEO BLOG - HERE
		AN INTRODUCTION TO THIS PHOTO WORKSHOP Simply put Peru is perhaps the best bird watching country in the world. Sure Colombia boasts a slightly higher species list and, based on its size, Ecuador is also in the running. In Peru however, there are so many unique endemics that it is a destination that every serious bird photographer absolutely must visit. With exciting discoveries of species that are new to science still occurring with surprising regularity Peru also offers the thrill of seeing birds that few people have ever seen before. The difficult decision will be which parts of the country to visit first. Luckily I have spent several months in Peru scouting things out from a bird photography perspective and planned a trip that I think any bird photographer would really enjoy. We will be focussing on Manu National Park where over 1000 species of birds can be found. Just imagine that. More species on one park than in all of North America. Incredible!!! PHOTO ITINERARY Our Photo Adventure starts in the former Inca capital city of Cusco. Participants will be met at the Cusco airport and transferred to our charming and comfortable hotel for the evening. The following morning we will depart for Manu National Park - the absolute most biodiverse place on earth! After a few hour drive through some beautiful highland scenery we will arrive at our first destination in the upper realms of the park. We will spend two nights at this wonderful cloud forest retreat and focus our efforts on photographing the spectacular variety of colourful tanagers and mountain-tanagers that can be found here. Birds like the Hooded Mountain-Tanager and Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanagers are particularly common as is the Golden-collared Tanager. All absolutely spectacular birds! This area is also excellent for a few species of highland hummingbirds, Pearled Treerunners, Chat-Tyrants and lots more. Next up we will travel down the slope a bit further to a mid-elevation lodge from where we can visit an absolutely spectacular place to see Peru's national bird the Andean Cock of the Rock. This is THE PLACE to photograph this species and we will have a great opportunity to getting great shots of these beautiful...but bizarre...birds. Our next stop will be even further down the Manu road at a lowland bird watching lodge. We will spend three nights here working on photographing a few of the 500 or so species that have been spotted at this lodge. The flowering bushes often attract the super-cute Rufous-crested Coquette Hummingbird as well as the rare Gould's Jewelfront. Fruit feeder set-ups can be productive here and the open areas around the lodge offer exceptional opportunities for a wide variety of birds including Aracari's, Parrots, Woodcreepers, Tanagers and Hummingbirds. It is a really great place! Our final stop for the trip takes us even further down in to the jungle. We will board a motorized canoe and travel in to the jungle to a wonderful and very special place deep within the park. One of the big draws here for us is the Macaw clay lick where over 100 macaws regularly come down to eat the clay that they need for digestion. Just imagine seeing 100+ wild macaws flying around in a natural setting while you are sitting in a comfortable photo blind and clicking away. It will be a great morning to be sure. The next day we will visit a nearby canopy tower for a different vantage point on the Amazon Rainforest. We will also go for a paddle on a peaceful lagoon in a catamaran style boat. There can be some really great opportunities for photographing birds from the boat as well as the chance to see and photograph Giant Otters. We will have travelled a long way by this point in the trip. Getting back to civilization will be more or less an all day affair. On the final day we will board our boat and travel a different route to where we will meet out bus. Then we will make our way back to Cusco for the night and a nice dinner all together. We are sure to have lots of great memories to talk about and the photos to go along with them. CULTURAL EXTENSION ITINERARY Because we start and end this trip in Cusco we are afforded an incredible opportunity to visit one of the great "wonders of the World" - Machu Picchu. I have designed a 5 day cultural extension to this photo workshop will take us to some of the local ruins that are on the way to Machu Picchu and also do some bird photography as we travel there. Starting in Cusco we will visit the local "Sacsayhuaman" ruins and begin to learn more about Inca culture and history. We will also find time for a tour of this charming city. The next day we will travel a few hours down the road towards Machu Picchu to the town of Ollantaytambo. Located in Peru's Sacred Valley of the Incas Ollantaytambo ("Ollantay" as it is often called) is a really nice little town with a nice market and some fascinating ruins to explore. The next morning we will set off to search for a few of the really nice endemic birds that can be found in this area. A short morning walk will hopefully land us birds like the White-tufted Sunbeam Hummingbird and Creamy-crested Spinetail (both endemic to Peru). We'll return to town for lunch and then board a train to the town of Aguas Calientes (there are no roads to get there). We'll get settled in for the night and prepare for our journey to the spectacular and world famous ruins the next day. After breakfast the next morning we will head up by bus to Machu Picchu and spend the day exploring the site and taking pictures. We will have a local guide with us during our visits to Machu Picchu (as well as the other ruins) so that we can really learn all about the history and culture of this special place. The next day we will make our way back to Cusco and visit one of the great local markets where we can see some of the local handicrafts and pick up a few souvenirs. We'll have time for a final dinner all together and then either head for home. PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES On this photo adventure we will focus on the following opportunities: Using flash effectively as a source of fill light: Because tropical regions are often cloudy - it is extremely important to learn how to use flash - either as fill or as a main source of light. Participants will also learn how to do set-ups for birds using more than one flash. These skills can easily be taken home and applied in your very own backyard! Attracting birds to a perch setup: Participants will learn strategies to attract birds to a given perch and how to achieve images that have attractive light, an outstanding perch and a smooth background. Strategies for successful tropical photography: Glenn has spent over a year and a half photographing wildlife in the tropics. Throughout the workshop Glenn and Jess will share tips and tricks that he has learned along the way. Macro photography of tropical insects and frogs: At each of our locations there will also be opportunities to find and photograph an amazing diversity of colourful frogs, butterflies and insects. Nocturnal photography: During the nights around the lodges we will keep our ears open for night birds like owls and potoos. If we hear any we will try to track them down and learn techniques for successful night time bird photography. Spectacular landscape photography: The cloud forest and rain forest are spectacular places and the opportunities for landscape photography are superb. We will also keep our fingers crossed for a clear day up in the mountains where we may be able to create beautiful mountain images. For those who take part in the cultural extension we will also have excellent opportunities to photograph a variety of Inca ruins including one of the "wonders of the world" Machu Picchu. Digital Workshops:  During the evenings for those who wish to participate, we will have image review sessions and talk about techniques and what we can expect to see the next day.  In these post processing workshops participants will have ample opportunities to improve skills in Adobe Photoshop.  Guided by Glenn and Jess, participants can learn how to take their images from straight out-of-the-camera RAW images to stunning final works of art (ready for printing or websites). A Few Highlight species that we hope to photograph include: Andean Cock of the Rock Rufous-crested Coquette Scarlet-bellied Mountain Tanager Horned Screamer Wire-crested Thorntail Paradise Tanager Red and Green Macaw Common Potoo Rufescent Screech Owl Purus Jacamar Torrent Duck (extension only) Cultural ruins and Machu Picchu (extension only) And so many more!!! KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES: On this photo adventure participants will focus on the following learning objectives: Proper exposure settings for challenging tropical lighting conditions Proper use of flash as fill or ambient lighting How to "set up" a nature photograph and get pleasing images Techniques for macro photography of tropical insects, butterflies and frogs How to place your subject in the frame and get beautiful backgrounds Image workflow and digital processing that will ensure your images are the best that they can possibly be  WHY TRAVEL ON GLENN BARTLEY'S WORKSHOPS? Glenn and Jess focus on more personalized attention,instruction and guidance. Glenn is regarded one of the world’s top professional photographers in bird portrait photography. Just go pick up a birding magazine and you will almost certainly find his images. We often utilizes local guides with years of experience in their home areas. We have more experience.  He has been to the places that he will take you – not for a week or two – but for months!!  Glenn knows where to get the best possible images and can show you how to achieve them.  Having completed his Msc. in Environmental Studies Glenn is very environmentally and socially aware.  When we visit communities around the world we give something back to these places and the people who live there.  At the end of the day our goal is simple – To give you the best possible photographic workshop imaginable.  PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS This is the most physically active trip that we offer. Cuzco is at a high elevation which can be a challenge for some (we descend to lower elevations from here). Morning and afternoon bird walks around the lodges are the norm (option to stay put at lodge). At the final lodge (where it is hot) all of the photo features require a 15-20 minute walk (each way 1-2 km - twice per day). The final day of the trip includes a long journey back to Cuzco. LOGISTICS This workshop/tour is limited to 6 photographers to ensure the best photographic opportunities and instruction possible. Price: The cost of this photo workshop is USD $5999 / person The cost of the cultural extension is USD $2799 / person I preffer payments and deposits to be made by check. Paypal can also be arranged (send email). Accommodations are designed to be two persons per room. If you will be traveling alone and would like a private room there will be an additional charge of $600 + $350 extension. Once we have received your deposit we will send you a confirmation invoice and registration package. Prices include: All expert photo instruction Local guides and drivers All entrance fees to natural areas visited All accommodations, based on double occupancy All meals from the first evening of the tour to breakfast on departure day Land transportation during workshop Airport transfers to hotel Price does not include: International airfare to place of tour origin Domestic flights from Lima to Cusco, Peru Any additional nights accommodation outside of the tour dates Additional tips for staff such as guides and camp staff Fees for passport, visas, immunizations and insurance Bar bills at lodges Laundry, phone and other items of a personal nature Cost of hospitalization and evacuation if necessary Payment Terms: A $1500 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a space on this tour.  The balance of the payment is due before May 1, 2018. Suggested Equipment: It is recommended that each participant bring the following equipment: A digital SLR and a lens of 300mm or greater. A wide angle lens (if you are interested in landscape photography) A tripod is recommended A flash or two (if you have more than one) HOW TO JOIN THIS PHOTO ADVENTURE? WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NEXT? We like to keep our workshops small, so space is extremely limited. Once the workshop seats are full – that’s it…  If this exciting photo workshop sounds like fun to you, then now is the time to register. STEP 1 - Read the booking and refund policies below. STEP 2 - To confirm your registration you will need to mail a check for the $1500 deposit to Glenn Bartley. Payments can also be arranged through Paypal. Please email me to let me know that you are sending a deposit or for paypal instructions. Once a deposit is received it is understood that you have read, understood and accepted all terms and conditions as outlined in the Booking and Refund Policies. Please make checks out to: Glenn Bartley  - Email me for mailing address Once I have received your deposit I will send you your complete registration package by mail. Please see the complete booking and refund policy by clicking the link below. If you have any questions before registering, send me an e-mail with any inquiries to: Please note: Glenn Bartley Nature Photography strongly recommends that you purchase travel insurance. All funds are quoted in USD dollars and subject to exchange rate fluctuation and gas surcharge if we are billed additionally. We will attempt to stay true to this itinerary. However, certain unforeseeable conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or wildlife migrations) may require changes to the itinerary. We reserve the right to alter any itinerary at any time, if necessary. We will do our absolute best to notify participants of changes as far in advance as possible. TO SEE MORE IMAGES Or visit Glenn's Favourite Photographs from Peru Page PERU VIDEO BLOG - HERE

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