2025 Texas Coast and Ranch Photo Expedition / Workshop
Aransas NWR & Santa Clara Ranch

Session 1 - February 4-12, 2025 - 1 SPOT AVAILABLE
Session 2 - Feb 16-24, 2025 - 4 SPOTS AVAILABLE

 

A new Photo Tour / Workshop were we are going to visit the Texas Coast to photograph the Endagered Whooping Cranes and also visit the South Texas Ranch Lands as we visit the wonderful Santa Clara Ranch.

Texas Coast - Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Rockport TX
The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1940 by then president Franklin Roosevelt. It is an 114,000 acre protected area situated on the San Antonio Bay along the Gulf Coast of Texas. The refuge serves as a breeding ground for many migratory birds and other wildlife. Bird life includes waterfowl, egrets, herons, roseate spoonbills, pelicans, and the endangered whooping cranes.

The Whooping Cranes are North America’s tallest bird at nearly 5 feet tall and a wingspan of about 7.5 feet. The Aransas whoopers have recovered from just 18 birds left in the wild in the 1940’s to around 600 birds today. If you include the other wild flocks in North America and the captive whoopers there is only a total of about 800 cranes left in existence today.

We will photograph by boat as we navigate the waters around the refuge. Our boat captains have worked these waters for over three decades so their knowledge is invaluable. They will position the boats at a perfect and safe location so we will have a great view point from any of the two decks on the boats. We will travel to the refuge in the early morning before sunrise. Boat charters usually last 4-5 hours giving us plenty of opportunities to find and photograph the whoopers.

We will also photograph from a private blind on private property next to the refuge. This will give us the opportunity to get really close to the cranes and capture fantastic portraits and also capture images of the bird’s behavior.

After a 3 day outing with the Whoopers we move south to the Deep South Texas ranch lands to visit the wonderful Santa Clara Ranch.

Santa Clara Ranch, Starr County TX
The Rio Grande Valley has become one of the premier hotspots for nature photographers in the country. It has been a world class destination for birders and bird photographers (with over 500 bird species documented in the area) for many years. The "Valley", as we locals call it, is also known for its variety in reptiles (over 150 species documented) and mammals (150+ species live here).

3 days of photography and instruction. Our leader lives at the ranch and has been photographing and guiding for photographers at the Santa Clara for over 14 years. During the workshop we will target all the South Texas resident birds that live at the ranch. Green Jays, Golden-fronted Woodpeckers, Thrashers, Audubon Orioles, Great Kiskadees, and many others will be our targets. We will also target raptors at the ranch's two raptor blinds. Crested Caracara, Harris Hawk, and Turkey and Black Vultures frequent the raptor blinds at the ranch. Apart from birds we will also photograph South Texas mammals and reptiles. Collard Peccaries (Javalina), White-tail deer, Armadillos, Mexican Ground Squirells, Rabbits frequent the waterholes at the ranch. If we are very lucky we might be able to photograph one of the Bobcats that live in the area.

Lodging will be at the Santa Clara guesthouse. The house is a modern fully equipped home that can accomodate up to 16 people comfortably. The house and annex has eight bedrooms and 6 full baths for guests to use. All 3 meals will be provided by the Santa Clara Ranch. For more information on the guesthouse click here.

Cost of Workshop - $5500.00
Single Supplement (@ Santa Clara Ranch) - $450.00 - limited availability

Photo Workshops open to 8 photographers.

Session 1 - Feb. 4-12, 2025 - 1 SPOT AVAILABLE
Session 2 - Feb 16-24, 2025 - 4 SPOTS AVAILABLE

Includes:
- Cost of Boat Charter for the three morning shoots at Aransas NWR.
- Access to photo blind on private property in Rockport, TX.
- Drinking water while photographing.
- Ranch access and use at the Santa Clara Ranch.
- Lodging at the Santa Clara Guesthouse during your stay at the Santa Clara.
- All meals and non-alcoholic beverages during your stay at the Santa Clara. 
- All applicable taxes.

Does not include:
- Transportation to and from Rockport, TX and the Santa Clara Ranch.
- Hotel Accomodations in Rockport TX.
- Meals in Rockport, TX.
- Gratuities for boat captain.
- Gratuities for ranch cook.

A $2000.00 deposit is required to secure a spot on this photo tour/workshop.

Deposit can be paid via PAYPAL (plus 3% fees) by clicking here:

Session 1 - FOR PAYPAL DEPOSIT CLICK HERE
Session 2 - FOR PAYPAL DEPOSIT CLICK HERE

or by mailing a U.S. Check or Money Order Payable to:
      
Hector D. Astorga
PO Box 74
Delmita, TX 78536
   

Deposits & Cancellation Policy:

  • A $2000 deposit is required at the time of enrollment with full payment due by November 20, 2024.

  • Deposit and tuition fees are non-refundable. We highly recommend the purchase of trip insurance. www.insuremytrip.com

  • If the photo workshop is full and someone from the waiting list can take your spot, your tuition is fully refundable minus a 15% cancellation fee.

  • We are not responsible for cancellations due to medical or other reasons.

  • Should cancellation be required due to severe weather, an alternate date will be scheduled at no additional charges.

  • No fees will be refunded if you withdraw after the photo workshop begins.

  • We are not responsible for any fees associated with non-refundable air travel, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance.