Snow Days

Snowy Owl in Flight (Nikon D500 & Nikon 200-500mm Lens)

Over the last couple of days we have received several inches of heavy, wet snow around my home, which has coated the trees and turned the area into a lovely, winter wonderland. I was excited to get out and explore the surrounding farmland near my home for scenics as well as snowy owls. Every year several snowy owls over-winter on the farmland around my home. They gather to feast on mice and meadow voles that are scavenging the soy beans and corn that is spilled during harvest. Pictured above is the only image I have been able to create of a snowy owl so far this year. I do like the over-the-shoulder stare that the owl is giving me as it flies out over one of the fields.

Pictured below are a few of the scenic images that were created during my search for the snowy owls.  My choice of lenses for these images was the Nikon 200-500mm lens or the Nikon 28-300mm lens on either my Nikon D500 or Nikon D800 body.

Winter Tree in Snow Storm (Nikon D500 & Nikon 200-500mm Lens)

 

Winter Farm Scenic (Nikon D800 & Nikon 28-300mm Lens)

 

Winter Tree (Nikon D500 & Nikon 200-500mm Lens)

Winter Trees (Nikon D500 & Nikon 200-500mm Lens)

Winter Trees (Nikon D500 & Nikon 200-500mm Lens)

 

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WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT: Lake Superior Wild & Scenic Photography Retreat

Join award winning photographer Andrew McLachlan for an all inclusive, intensive, photography retreat on Lake Superior at Rock Island Lodge. Rock Island Lodge is situated on a seven-acre peninsula along the wild coast of Lake Superior. Capture the true essence of Lake Superior while we walk in the footsteps of the Group of Seven as we explore the stunning scenery of the region.

The Lake Superior Wild & Scenic Photography Retreat will provide participants with 3 full days and 2 half days of photography!

The dates for the retreat are October 30th – November 3rd, 2019 (4 nights).

The maximum number of participants is 10.

Often referred to as Canada’s inland sea, Lake Superior offers the most dramatic scenery available for landscape photography in Ontario. Being well-travelled along this coast I will ensure that you are in the right location at the right time, receive in-depth photographic instruction, and are inspired to capture breathtaking imagery. We will focus our efforts on landscape photography at sunrise and sunset, mid-day photography, as well as starry nightscapes (weather permitting). Mid-day photo sessions to specific locations will based on the current weather conditions that each day provides. There will also be plenty of time set aside each day for image review and Photoshop image optimization instruction. The dates for this retreat were chosen as they coincide with the onset of Superior’s storm season, which often means rough seas and waves crashing into Lake Superior’s rugged coast.

The accommodations for participants during this retreat will be divided between two locations; Rock Island Lodge and the High Falls Motel & Cabins. Accommodation is limited at Rock Island Lodge; therefore, lodge rooms will be assigned to those that register first. Once the Rock Island Lodge maximum is met additional participants will be placed at the High Falls Motel & Cabins for their accommodations. The High Falls Motel is located about five minutes away from Rock Island Lodge.

Itinerary:

October 30th:

• Check in at 2:00 p.m. at Rock Island Lodge

• Meet & Greet Sunset photo session at Rock Island Lodge

• Dinner at 7:00 p.m.

• photographic presentation

• night sky photo session (weather permitting)

October 31st, November 1st, & 2nd:

• morning photo session

• breakfast

• free time / mid morning photo session

• image review / Photoshop instruction at Rock Island Lodge

• lunch (either on site or bagged lunch in the field)

• free time / early afternoon photo session

• late afternoon/sunset photo session

• dinner

• image review / Photoshop instruction

• night sky photo session (weather permitting)

• On the evening of November 2nd we will have an image sharing / critique session of your favourite 5 images crated during this event.

November 3rd:

• morning photo session

• breakfast

• participants depart for home at 12:00 p.m.

What’s Included:

• In-depth photographic instruction during each of the photo sessions with LCD review

• Image review and Photoshop instruction

• Accommodation at Rock Island Lodge or off-site at High Falls Motel & Cabins

• Wednesday – dinner

• Thursday, Friday, & Saturday – breakfast, lunch, & dinner

• Sunday – breakfast

What’s Not Included:

• Transportation to and from Rock Island Lodge / High Falls Motel & Cabins

• Transportation to nearby locations within Lake Superior Provincial Park (car pooling of participants is encouraged here)

• Alcoholic Beverages

Workshop Fee:

$1195.00 CDN plus taxes per person based on double occupancy

$1395.00 CDN plus taxes per person based on single occupancy

*If you have attended any of Andrew McLachlan’s workshops in the past you will receive a $50 discount*

To reserve your spot in the Lake Superior Wild & Scenic Photography Retreat a non-refundable retainer of $350.00 CDN is due now.

I accept payment by email transfer or by cheque made payable to Andrew McLachlan.

Please contact me by clicking here to register for this event.

A Waiver of Liability will be sent to registrants, which should be returned with payment of the non-refundable retainer. Closer to the date of this event participants will be asked to fill out the Rock Island Lodge Waiver and inform of any special dietary requirements.

The balance owing will be due no later than July 1, 2019.

Cancellation Policy:

61 days prior to the workshop date a full refund less the non-refundable retainer.

60 days prior to the workshop date or less no refunds.

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WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT: Algonquin – Lake Traverse 2019 Photography Retreat

Join Andrew McLachlan for an exclusive, weekend workshop deep in the heart of Ontario’s Algonquin Provincial Park on scenic Lake Traverse for an opportunity to create stunning imagery from this remote, pristine landscape. This event will be held on September 20, 21, & 22, 2019. Lake Traverse is situated in a remote area of the park and is rich in both history and scenery. To reach this remote destination in Algonquin Provincial Park you must enter the park at the Sand Lake Gate. In the early 1900’s lumber baron J.R. Booth established a private lodge – The Booth Turtle Club on the shores of Lake Traverse. Today remnants of this lodge can be found in the woodlands such as impressive stone fireplaces and a rusted old wreck decaying in the forest. The timing of this event will allow for misty sunrises over Lake Traverse and assuming weather conditions co-operate we are in one of the best locations in all of Ontario to photograph the night sky and possibly the aurora borealis. Furthermore, we are situated a short walking distance from picturesque waterfalls on the Petawawa River.

Our accommodations for this event will be at the Algonquin Radio Observatory, located on the shores of Lake Traverse. The Algonquin Radio Observatory is closed to the public and inaccessible. However, exclusive access has been granted to our workshop group for this event. A tour of the immense satellite has been arranged during the mid-day hours on Saturday, when lighting for photography is generally at its worst. Also available to participants is the use of canoes and kayaks during the mid-day hours to explore the lake on your own.

A quick note about the Algonquin Radio Observatory:

The Algonquin Radio Observatory (ARO) is Canada’s national radio observatory featuring Canada’s premiere Earth station facility. ARO is a division of space technology company Thoth Technology Inc. Completed and commissioned in the 1965, ARO’s 46m antenna is the largest antenna in Canada and one of the largest in North America. The observatory is situated on a 100 acre wild and breathtakingly beautiful site in the North of Algonquin Provincial Park on Lake Traverse, deep inside the park. The observatory hosts a suite of state-of-the-art scientific equipment including its own atomic clock and still operates with a state-of-the-art technical capability. ARO is the official ground station for Northern Light, Canada’s mission to Mars.

Itinerary:

Friday September 20:

Meet & Greet Dinner at 6:00 p.m. follow by photographic presentation and a nightscape photo session (assuming weather conditions co-operate)

Saturday September 21:

Morning Photo Session (6am – 10am followed by breakfast, tour of satellite, Petawawa River Session, Rusty Old Wreck Session, Evening Photo Session, Nightscape Session (assuming weather conditions co-operate)

Sunday September 22:

Morning photo session (6am – 10am) followed by breakfast.

Checkout is at 11:00 a.m. however, participants are permitted to explore other areas of the park at their leisure for the remainder of the day.

Do Note: Each location we will photograph at is a short walking distance from our home base at the Algonquin Radio Observatory.

What’s Included:

• In-depth landscape photography instruction by yours truly

• Lodging at Algonquin Radio Observatory • Friday – dinner

• Saturday – breakfast, lunch, & dinner

• Sunday – breakfast

What’s not included:

• Transportation to Algonquin Radio Observatory

• A 3 day, daily vehicle permit fee must be purchased at the Sand Lake Gate to enter the park. This vehicle permit will allow participants to remain in the park until 10:00 pm on Sunday.

• Snacks

• Alcoholic Beverages

Workshop Fee:

$585 plus taxes, per person, based on double occupancy.

$625 plus taxes, per person, for single occupancy.

A non-refundable retainer of $250 is due now to secure your spot in this workshop.

Payments are accepted by cheque or e-mail transfer.

The balance owing will be due no later than June 1, 2019.

A Waiver of Liability will sent to registrants at the time of booking, to be returned with the non-refundable retainer.

This workshop is open to a maximum of 15 participants.

To reserve your spot in this exclusive workshop please contact me by clicking here.

Cancellation Policy:

61 days prior to the workshop date full refund less $250.00 non-refundable retainer.

60 days prior to the workshop date No Refunds

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WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT – Frogs of the World

Mark your calendars!

The next Frogs of the World Photographic Workshop to be held at LifeLike Imaging in Mississauga, Ontario has been scheduled!.

Saturday, February 16, 2019 10:00a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The space for this workshop is limited to a maximum of 8 participants to allow ample time for folks to photograph each species of frog.

These are the only workshops available whereby you will be able to capture stunning imagery of 15 – 20 different species of frogs from all over the world. We will be photographing numerous varieties of dart frogs endemic to the Amazon rainforest, and several tree frogs of Costa Rica and South America. It would cost tens of thousands of dollars to explore the jungles of the world, with hired guides, on your own in hopes of photographing a mere fraction of these species. These workshops, in partnership with Understory Enterprises, will bring you an incredible opportunity to photograph these 15 – 20 species of frogs in a comfortable atmosphere with natural studio set-ups.

The recommended gear for photographing these tiny frogs is a macro lens and off camera flash. Alternately, using high quality close-up filters such as the Canon 500D filters will allow many lenses such as the Nikon 80-400mm or Canon 100-400mm to focus close enough for these small subjects. Please contact me here if you have any equipment inquiries when registering for this workshop. I also have custom made flash diffusers that will allow folks to capture stunning imagery using camera mounted flash as well.

Coffee, tea and snacks will be provided during the workshop.

To register for this workshop contact me by clicking here .

Payments can be made via email transfer or by cheque made payable to Andrew McLachlan.

Hope to see you there!

The cost of the workshop is $195 CDN plus taxes.

Cancellation Policy

Full refund, less a $25 administration fee, 61 days prior to the workshop date.

No Refunds 60 days prior to the workshop date.

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Muskoka’s Winter Waterfall Specatular Photography Workshop

Join Andrew McLachlan in Ontario’s Muskoka District on February 8, 9 & 10, 2019 for one full day and two half days of in-depth photographic exploration of the finest waterfalls in the region. Embrace the beauty of Muskoka this winter and learn the skills of landscape photography amid a winter wonderland of snow clad, iconic white pines and the intricate ice formations that adorn waterfalls and rivers during the winter months.

This workshop will require the ability to walk approximately 1 kilometre over uneven, snow-covered terrain. I do recommend the use of crampons on this workshop for the added safety they provide against slip and fall incidents if conditions are icy.

I also recommend that participants book their accommodations with the Sleep Inn in Bracebridge as they serve a continental breakfast.

Maximum number of participants is 10.

Itinerary:

Friday February 8:

• Meet at 1:00 p.m. in the parking lot of the Sleep Inn, Bracebridge and carpool to photo session at area waterfall

• Dinner (on your own)

• Optional night photography session at Bracebridge Falls as it is lit with flood lights

Saturday February 9:

• Meet in the parking lot of the Sleep Inn, Bracebridge at 7:00 a.m. and carpool to waterfalls for photo sessions

• Stop for lunch at approximately 1:00 p.m.

• Visit additional waterfalls for photo sessions

• Dinner at local restaurant at 7:00 p.m.

• Get some rested for early start on Sunday

Sunday February 10:

• Meet in the parking lot of the Sleep Inn, Bracebridge at 7:00 a.m. and carpool to waterfalls for photo sessions

• Stop for lunch (on your own) 1:00 p.m.

• Depart for home

What’s Included:

• In-depth photographic instruction during each photo sessions with LCD review

• Saturday lunch and dinner at nearby restaurant

What’s Not Included:

• Accommodations (numerous options available… I will be staying at the Sleep Inn)

• Transportation (car pooling of participants is encouraged)

• Friday night dinner

• Breakfast (The Sleep Inn serves a continental breakfast)

• Alcoholic Beverages

Workshop Fee:

335.00 CDN plus taxes

Payment can be made via email transfer or by cheque. A Waiver of Liability will be sent to those that are registering. A signed copy of this waiver must be returned to Andrew McLachlan in advance of the workshop.

To reserve your spot in the Muskoka Winter Waterfall Spectacular please contact me by clicking here to arrange payment.

Cancellation Policy:

No Refunds.

Check your schedule carefully prior to booking.

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Finally – After Many Years of Looking!

Northern Saw Whet Owl, Ontario

Late on the morning of November 12th I finally located my first Northern Saw Whet Owl. I have tried several times over the years to locate and photograph this tiny species of owl, often coming close but never succeeding. After scouring a small cedar grove for about an hour I paused to rethink where I should look next when I noticed two bright yellow eye staring back at me, not more than 3 feet from where I stood. Alas, I had found a Northern Saw Whet Owl. As the owl was roosting within the thick boughs of the cedar trees it was tricky to get a clear photograph so I decided to frame the owl in such a way that also tells a story about its habitat.

My go-to lenses for these images were the Nikon 200-500mm Lens and the Nikon 28-300mm Lens. The Nikon 200-500mm lens was deployed to capture tight portraits of the owl hidden within the branches of the cedar trees. The Nikon 28-300mm lens was the main lens used as I was able to easily capture full body images with minimal foreground clutter. The minimum one foot focusing distance of the Nikon 28-300mm lens makes it a very versatile and functional lens. Often the Nikon 28-300mm lens is trashed by the “so-called” internet experts, but this lens in the right hands, with the right vision, and proper photographic technique yields quality imagery everytime!

Below are a few additional images of the Northern Saw Whet Owl I photographed yesterday.

Northern Saw Whet Owl, Ontario

Northern Saw Whet Owl, Ontario

Northern Saw Whet Owl, Ontario

Northern Saw Whet Owl, Ontario

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