Raptors of Northern California-Southern Oregon NANPA Regional Event (Feb 9-13, 2025)

Leader | Travel & lodging | What to expect | Preliminary itinerary

Registration is now open

COST:
Early Bird Rate: $829 NANPA & ASMP Members/$1029 Non-members by December 7, 2024

After December 7, 2024: $929 NANPA & ASMP Members/$1129 Non-members

Maximum number of attendees: 10

Last Date to Register: January 7, 2025

If you are not currently a member, you may want to consider joining NANPA to take advantage of member pricing on all regional events (1 year membership $100)

DATES:

• • Sunday February 9, 2025 at 6 pm to Thursday February 13, 2025 at 10 am.
  • January 15, 2025, 7-8 pm (ET) Pre-event Preparatory Webinar for participants (optional)
  • March 5, 2025, 7-9 pm (ET) Post event Image Sharing and Feedback Webinar for participants (optional)

Registration and Meet & Greet
Sunday February 9, 2025 at 6 pm at the hotel

EVENT OVERVIEW:

Klamath Falls, Oregon is a phenomenal winter photography destination to see and photograph raptors and other wildlife. What makes this destination special is that in winter, hundreds of Bald Eagles winter in the Klamath Basin – the largest concentration of eagles in lower 48 states! It’s said that 80% of Pacific Flyway birds visit the wetlands and lake areas in the Klamath Basin. Locations we will visit are set in a beautiful valley ringed by volcanic mountains with the iconic snow-covered Mt. Shasta towering to the South.

Join acclaimed photographer John Ehrenfeld as he takes participants to numerous locations he has scouted in this area for years. John will share his expertise in locating and photographing raptors and other wildlife, enabling participants the chance to capture photos they likely would have never gotten on their own. If you enjoy photographing birds, this winter photo trip should be on your list.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

We will be photographing for three days from before sunrise to sunset with a mid-afternoon break. We are sure to see many Bald and Golden Eagles, Ferruginous Hawks, Rough-Legged Hawks, Peregrine Falcons, Prairie Falcons, Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers, Snow Geese, Tundra Swans, Sandhill Cranes, Snow Geese and numerous species of Ducks. While weather is unpredictable months in advance, there is the possibility of photographing raptors in the snow at this time of year.

LEADER:

John Ehrenfeld–

John was a film producer, in Los Angeles for two decades. After settling in Napa County in Northern California, he has been totally dedicated to nature and wildlife photography. For twelve years John has conducted private and group workshops, photo tours and teaches photography. He has led this trip for seven years and knows the area like the back of his hand. John is currently working a book, “Silently Into The Wild,” and has shot for numerous organizations and publications including Audubon, Wild Lens & Wild Hope Magazines, Ojai Raptor Center, Central Valley Birds, and International Bird Rescue.

 

TRAVEL AND LODGING

We will be based in Klamath Falls, OR during this regional event.

NEAREST AIRPORT:

The nearest airport to Klamath Falls is Medford (MFR) Airport. It is about 1 1/2 hours driving time to Klamath Falls via Highway 140.

Since we will be photographing until sunset on Wednesday February 12^th, it’s suggested that you plan your departing flight for Thursday February 13^th.

EVENT TRANSPORTATION:

Transportation to and from the airport and during the event is not included and is the attendees’ responsibility. Car rental is available at the airport. Area roads may have snow or ice so AWD or 4×4 vehicles are recommended if you rent a car.

Ride Sharing: We will depart daily from the hotel. Ride sharing is recommended to keep the total number of vehicles down to a manageable size. You are welcome to either drive or ride with someone. This is a great way to meet and have fun with fellow photographers during the event. If you are a passenger in another participant’s car it is customary to offer the driver some gas money and chip in towards any vehicle admission/parking fee as a courtesy.

Note that NANPA, and John Ehrenfeld, do not have insurance for carpooling arrangements and assume no liability for them. Carpooling, ride sharing or anything similar is strictly a private arrangement among participants. Participants assume the risks associated with this travel.

LODGING: 

We will be based in Klamath Falls, Oregon during this regional event.

NANPA is holding a block of hotel rooms for event participants at a hotel in Klamath Falls, OR at the following rates:

• Standard King Room $184 per night + tax (currently 9.8%). Includes buffet breakfast.

Check in time 4 pm, Check out time 11 am.

Hotel details and reservation procedure will be shared with registered participants.

The last day to register in the NANPA room block is January 8 at 6pm (PT)

MEALS:

All meals will be on your own with the exception of one dinner which is included.

PARKING PERMIT:

A parking permit ($10 per vehicle) will be required to park at the Klamath Wildlife Area, Miller Island Unit which we will visit one of the days. A daily wildlife area parking permit can be purchased online. You may want to wait until you are in Klamath Falls to purchase since the group may consolidate down into fewer cars.

PHOTOGRAPHY LOCATIONS:

We will be photographing at a variety of locations from public land to state parks and National Wildlife Refuges. John Ehrenfeld is very familiar with the areas that you’ll be visiting in the Klamath Basin area, and locations will be based on what’s most photogenic at the time, wildlife activity, weather conditions, etc. John will scout the locations prior to the group’s arrival.

Preliminary itinerary

Please note schedules are fluid due to weather conditions, recent wildlife sightings and other variables.

Sunday, February 9th, 2025

• “Meet and Greet” at 6 pm in the meeting room at hotel.
• Dinner on your own

February 10th, 11^th and 12^th, 2025

• Breakfast at hotel
• Depart daily around 6:00 am for sunrise and spend until late morning in the field photographing raptors, other wildlife and landscapes, etc.
• Lunch and mid-day break at a local restaurant
• Full afternoon of photography.
• Return to hotel at or just after sunset.
• Dinner on your own (your choice of many restaurants within walking distance of the hotel) One night will be a group dinner (included).

Thursday February 13^th, 2025

• Hotel checkout.

The event wraps after breakfast and photo review session.

HEALTH AND FITNESS:

There will be no hiking. Most shooting locations will be close to where we park, but a couple will require a short walk on either flat or varied terrain.  Bring a personal water bottle and snacks. These items can be picked up in town.

WEATHER

Winter weather can be unpredictable and morning temperatures can be cool to cold.  Snow and rain can occur but it is typically not heavy. Shooting raptors in snow can produce very beautiful shots. Often there is no snow or rain.

Average High: 46F/ Low: 25F

CLOTHING

It is preferable to dress in layers starting in the early morning and shed throughout the day as needed for rising temperatures.  Be prepared for occasional rain/snow this time of year so a water proof shell and water proof boots/shoes are recommended.  Since it will be cool to cold weather, bring shooting gloves, hat, scarf

CAMERA GEAR:

• Camera – DSLR or mirrorless, full frame or cropped sensor.
  Also, bring the camera manual should you need to consult it. Cellphone cameras are helpful for group shots.
• Lenses – There will likely be photo opportunities for your full range of lenses, from extreme wide angle to telephoto and macro. We will use lenses in the focal length range from 14 – 600mm.
• Lens Cleaning Cloth and Wipes.
• Tripod – Sunrise, sunset, twilight and nighttime light levels are too low to photograph properly without a sturdy tripod. A lightweight carbon fiber tripod with a ball head is recommended.
• Memory Cards for 1/2 day to full day of shooting in the field.
• Camera Battery Charger and Extra Batteries.
• Rain Cover – For camera and lens protection
• Laptop Computer – for downloading, processing and viewing your images.
• Image Processing Software – Good choices include Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop.
• Back-up device – Such as an external hard drive.
• Flash Drive – For sharing images.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS:

• Flashlight and/or Headlamp
• Cell Phone
• Water bottle/snacks/medicine
• Energy bars or other snacks

GENERAL:

This event is designed for nature photographers at all levels of experience. This tour is open for 10 participants to give each plenty of time with the leader and to retain flexibility based on weather and the best opportunities. For the best experience, please know your camera before you arrive, and bring your manual in case we need to look up something.

Assistance will be available in the field for those who wish to improve their photographic skills. If you already have plenty of photography experience, John will ensure you get to the best locations at the best times to capture those perfect shots.

Please keep in mind this NANPA Regional Event is designed to be a photo tour, not a photo workshop. In other words, there are no formal instruction sessions planned, there are no assignments, you will not be receiving any handouts or the like. That being said, John has extensive experience as a photography teacher and workshop leader and will be available to answer questions and give you guidance.

If need help, please advocate for yourself and speak up and ask for help. Be aware that many of your fellow participants may also be accomplished photographers and may be able to help you too.  Part of the regional event experience is the camaraderie that comes from sharing experiences and lessons learned among participants. If you notice someone with the same or similar camera, perhaps they can help you with an issue you’ve been wondering about, and maybe you can return the favor.

Attendance and participation at NANPA Regional Events is limited to registered attendees only.  Anyone wishing to participate in any portion of, or travel with a registered attendee during the group event must contact the NANPA office and pay the full registration fee.

Regional Event Cancellation and No Refund Policy:  

NANPA will not offer any refunds for registrations for this event regardless of when the cancellation is made or the reason for the cancellation. NANPA reserves the right to cancel any event or activity due to insufficient registration or any unforeseen circumstances. NANPA will offer refunds if NANPA has to cancel the event. It also has the right to substitute presenters if those originally scheduled cannot attend. Registrants may purchase event insurance as part of the registration process through NANPA’s partner, Allianz. More information on this option will be shown during the checkout process for the event registration. NOTE:  If you do not purchase event insurance at the time that you pay for your registration, you will NOT be able to go back and purchase it with Allianz later.

If you choose to purchase travel insurance separately, you can do so with your own insurance carrier, or NANPA members can receive a special travel insurance rate through USI Affinity/Travel Insurance Services.