Do you want to photograph some of the best fall colours in the world?
2017 Fall Colours and More
Join Jeff Wendorff and I on a fall photographic adventure in Ontario Canada’s amazing countryside; crisp days, blue skies, stunning fall colors, waterfalls, wildlife and so much more! Together we will travel from the Great Lakes, visit the Waterfall Capitol of the World and head north to the iconic Algonquin Park. We will photograph stunning scenery and native wildlife. Who knows we may find a Red Fox or even a Moose! We’ll play in a junkyard full of photographic gold and even shoot the iconic Toronto skyline during the magic twilight of the evening. Whew, that’s a lot, best if you bring extra memory cards for this amazing fall photography workshop!
Fall Colors in Ontario Canada Workshop Overview
Fall Colors in Ontario
Small Group – 8 clients
Local Guides
6 nights and 7 days
All Inclusive
Dates: October 19, 2017 to October 25, 2017
Price of workshop: $3295USD and a $500 deposit secures your spot
Included in the Workshop
The workshop includes your lodging (double occupancy), all breakfasts, drinks while on location, 2 group dinners, transportation to and from the airport as well as to all photography locations, instruction in the field with your photographer guides and evening reviews of the days photography to find and correct any issues and optional image critiques. We also will pay for park entrance fees, entry fees for Raptor Center and the junkyard.
The tour size is limited to ten photographers so you can count on plenty of attention and plenty of space to photograph.
We will help you with your camera settings, photography techniques and provide advice and tips to help you maximize your “keepers”.
Each evening we will gather as a group with our laptops and discuss editing techniques to achieve sharper images, composition from cropping and introduce you to some techniques we use to create more appealing images.
If you are not traveling with a another client we will try to find someone to share your accommodations. If we cannot find a suitable partner, you will be responsible for the single supplement of $250.
Not Included in the Workshop
The workshop cost does not include: airfare, some evening meals, items of personal nature, laundry, VISA fees if applicable. Travel insurance is always advised as the deposit is not refundable.
Fall Colors in Ontario Workshop Itinerary
Day One – October 19, 2017
You arrive in Toronto and will be picked up at the airport, and we will drive you right to our hotel in Burlington, Ontario. That night we will gather for a group dinner (included) and discuss the week’s itinerary and locations. Then, after dinner, head to the waterfront in Toronto to shoot the Toronto skyline from the Golden hour into darkness.
Day Two – October 20, 2016
We will visit the Raptor Conservancy, and you will spend the morning photographing a variety of raptorss in flight, and we will pose them in natural settings. Species list can include any of the following birds; Harris’s Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Great Horned Owl, Barn Owl and Bald Eagle. There are several flightless, but very photogenic birds that could include an Eagle Owl, Swainson’s Hawk, Peregrine Falcon and Aplomado Falcon.
We have hired a falconer to fly and display his birds for our cameras. He is well versed in the desires of wildlife photographers and does a great job placing the birds on natural looking ecologically correct perches.
In the afternoon, we will drive towards our first half day session at the Waterfall Capitol of the World. Hamilton is home to over 100 beautiful waterfalls, which is how it got the title of Waterfall Capital of the World. Most of the waterfalls/cascades are located on, or near, the Bruce trail. The Niagara Escarpment, which the Bruce Trail winds through, is equipped with the perfect ecological conditions for natural waterfalls to occur.
Day Three – October 21, 2017
We start the day along the shores of Lake Ontario at one of our favorite locations, 50 Point Conservation Area and an area of broken piers along the bank of Lake Ontario. Once the sweet morning light fades, we head back for more waterfall photography.
In the afternoon, we will visit a 100-acre junk yard that spans the property of a nearby farm. Over 3000 vehicles in various states of decay line the cedar forests and rolling fields of this photographer’s paradise. Imagine cars as old as Edsels all the way to 1990 era vehicles and heavy equipment entangled in fall color, vines and even some with trees growing out of the engine compartment!
Days Four Five and Six – October 22-24, 2017
Its time to change gears and head to Pelee Island. Pelee Island is located 32 kilometres south of the Ontario mainland and is part of an archipelago of islands in the western Lake Erie basin. This location of Canada’s southernmost inhabited land area (Middle Island is the southernmost) creates an environment of unique plants and animals and is on major migratory bird and butterfly routes.
The Fish Point Nature Reserve and the Lighthouse Point Nature Reserve provides habitat for rare species including the Blue Racer Snake, Lake Erie Water Snake, Smallmouth Salamander and Spotted Turtle. In addition, 31 provincially rare and 19 regionally rare plant species are located in the reserves. Another unique feature is the Stone Road Alvar, a globally significant area, where you can find plant and animal life that occurs nowhere else in the world. The physical presence of limestone combined with a southerly climate has created a unique Canadian Savannah environment.
Fall is a spectacular time to visit this area. Thousands of visitors from around the world are attracted by the outstanding fall color viewing opportunities, winery tours and tasting tours amidst the fall colours.
Day Seven – October 25, 2017
It’s our last morning, and we’ll be up early to catch a sunrise along one of the local lakes that have fall color along the shoreline. After our morning’s, photography we will return to the hotel and check out.
We’ll drive you to the Toronto airport around 11am and drop you off at your hotel or airport will be about 3 pm. You should schedule your flights home no earlier than 5 pm on October 25, 2016.
Fall Colors in Ontario – Equipment and Gear
You’ll need to bring a full complement of equipment. From a wide-angle (16-355mm), mid-zoom (70-200mm) and something with some reach (400mm). If you are in to macro, bring it too…
Accessories will be crucial with a circular polarizer, cable release, ballhead and tripod being essential. A variable and or neutral density filter may be useful as well.
Weather
We can expect chilly mornings in the 50s (F) and warm afternoons (70s). Hiking shoes, and moderate layers for warmth will be perfect and a rain jacket may be handy as well.
Exertion
Our longest planned hike is about one half mile (1 km) and there is an optional hike of a bit more than a mile (3 km). None of which are difficult, but remember you’ll need to walk the distance out and back with your gear. It isn’t a race though so I am sure you’ll be able to make it. Questions? Comments? Concerns? Now would be the best time to ask!
Ready To Go to Ontario for Fall Colors and More?
You can reserve your workshop space with a $500 deposit. If you would rather not use PayPal you can email me and I will put you in touch with Jeff and he will arrange payment by credit card or check or whatever else you might have in mind! Jeff is pretty flexible when people want to send him money! :-)