Texas Bird Photo Tours
DURATION :
LOCATION :
3 days in the Ranch
Texas (Rio Grande Valley – Jays & more)
Information
ITINERARY
Gallery
Reviews
Registration
FAQ's
Information
Tour Information
South Texas is truly a paradise for birdwatchers. Rio Grande Valley offers unmatched photography opportunities to both serious and amateur bird photographers. During the 3-day tour, we visit a family-owned ranch north of Edinburg, Texas. We spend our days shooting from multiple hides and target various species from the valley that are both residents and migrants.
This speciality ranch hides are designed for photographers by photographers. During our Texas bird photo tours we spend time in multiple professional below-ground photo blinds designed to capture the beautiful morning and evening light. These specialized hides also place us at eye level with the wildlife and add desirable warm creamy backgrounds that bring focus to your subject. The professional below-ground photography blinds have been designed with watering holes to put the photographer comfortably in the right position as the wildlife comes to feed and drink from each location. There are two morning blinds and two evening blinds as well as a raptor blind to keep up busy while at this location.
This family owned private ranch contains 700 acres of pristine brush land.
BASIC INFORMATION
Medical
Please consult with your doctor regarding general travel vaccinations and check the CDC website for more information.
Insurance
We strongly recommend you purchase trip insurance that includes trip cancellation and medical coverage while overseas.
Internet Access
Most lodges have free WIFI in the reception/dining area.
Flight
McAllen International Airport must be your arrival and departure airport
Certified
All of our services are conducted by fully licensed travel, lodge, and transport operators. This is part of our commitment to providing a professional travel experience.
Electricity
Electrical outlets are US-style. Those coming from Europe or Asia may need travel adapters. We will send more info after signup.
TOUR DATES
Main Tour – Maximum 6 – 8 people per group.
1. May 12th – 16th 2023/2024
Tour Motive
Our well planned South Texas bird photo tours in Ranch is designed to get the best of what the morning and evening light has to offer. The expert guided session in photography blinds will enable us to photograph the colorful South Texas birds with pleasing backgrounds in-flight or while perched along with the visiting Raptors.
Photo Opportunities
- Opportunity to photograph the Green Jay, Northern Bobwhite Quail, Crested Caracara, Curve-Billed Thrasher and more.
- Guided photography with expert local guidance to make the best images of the target species and more.
- Specialized hide photography opportunity to learn and gain experience on how the photograph techniques are used.
Cost (In USD)
- $2000 per person
Email us at info@tropicalphototours.com or call us at +1-512-508-6914/512-806-6469 if you’d like to talk first.
ITINERARY
ITINERARY
This tour is a 3 day/6 session photography feast.
Arrive in Edinburg, Texas and check in to our respective hotels for the night before the tour starts the next morning.
Meet at the Ranch at 6am and our expert guide will introduce you to location and the activities for the next 3 days. With expert guidance, we will ensure that you enjoy and spend the next 6 session exploring the best shots of the birds in flight and the raptors in their habitat.
Each day we will enjoy a midday break, heading into the local city of Edinburg to have lunch and rest a bit before we go back out for the afternoon session.
Our tour ends after Day 3 evening session.
Each day we will enjoy a midday break, heading into the local city of Edinburg to have lunch and rest a bit before we go back out for the afternoon session.
Our tour ends after Day 3 evening session.
Departure
Tour Specifics
1. Easy/Moderate walking/Most activity is at the feeders
2. Intermediate Photographers
3. Land Photography
Tour Pace
Easy
All the photography session will be done at the feeders and hides.
All the photography session will be done at the feeders and hides.
Suggested Equipments
It is recommended that each participant bring the following equipment:
- A digital SLR and your longest telephoto lens preferably 300mm or more
- A sturdy tripod or monopod
- You may also bring your flash with a flash bracket
- Pack a ton of memory cards
Tour Leader
Supreet Sahoo
An avid birdwatcher and photographer from Austin, U.S. Supreet’s work has been featured in reputed publications like the BBC Earth, National Geographic Spain and Sanctuary Asia.
Gallery
Reviews
Reviews and Score Breakdown
Previous
Next
7.0
Superb
4.5/5
Rating
90%
Comfort
90%
Food
70%
Hospitality
100%
Hygiene
80%
Reception
70%
Post A comment
Do you have some comments or questions for us? we’d love to hear from you ! Don’t be shy ! Feel free to drop us a message.
Registration
Registration
- To register for the tour, fill out and submit the form below. A ‘NON-REFUNDABLE’ deposit of USD 1000 per person of the tour cost is required to confirm your spot.
- The remaining balance is due in full 90 days before the start of the tour.
- All figures per person. Failure to make payments within this timeline could result in TOUR CANCELLATION.
Payment can be completed by credit card/PayPal or bank transfer. If you would like to mail a check, that option is available as well Please read all the Terms & Conditions for cancellation/refund policies and other important information.
Mail A Check
Online Payment
Mail A Check
Online Payment
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- A ‘non-refundable’ deposit of USD 1000 of the Tour fee as booking amount.
- The remaining balance is due in full 90 days before the start of the tour.
- All figures per person.
- Failure to make payments within this timeline could result in tour cancellation.
- Guide and Photography Skipper services.
- Entrance fees for all described activities.
- Taxes on all services listed above.
- Stainless steel flask for water and water.
- Use of blinds, bait, and feed.
- Non-mealtime snacks or meals not included.
- Non-mealtime soft drinks
- International/personal airfare
- Lodging and meals.
- Car rental
- Phone calls
- Laundry
- Tips
- Cost of hospitalization and evacuation, if necessary
Email us at info@tropicalphototours.com or call us at +1-512-508-6914/512-806-6469 if you’d like to talk first.
Book Your Tour With Us In 6 Easy Steps
1.Confirm your spot for the tour by paying the advance using the registration form.
2.Receive an acknowledgement email from us confirming your booking along with a welcome package and forms.
3. Book your international travel
4. Send us your travel details along with the signed package.
5. We will send you a final invoice along with some more important pre-travel details.
6. Make your full payment and pack your bags for the best Tropical experience.
Important Note
1.Travel insurance is mandatory for all travelers.
2.Tropical Photo Tours holds the rights to modify a reservation at any time during a workshop. As a company, we always try to comply with what we have promised but due to several unforeseeable circumstances such as weather, natural calamity, political, environmental, cultural we may have to make changes to our reservations.
3.All amounts are in USD unless specifically mentioned otherwise
2.Tropical Photo Tours holds the rights to modify a reservation at any time during a workshop. As a company, we always try to comply with what we have promised but due to several unforeseeable circumstances such as weather, natural calamity, political, environmental, cultural we may have to make changes to our reservations.
3.All amounts are in USD unless specifically mentioned otherwise
FAQ's
Frequently asked questions
A ‘non-refundable’ deposit of USD 1000 of the Tour fee as booking amount to reserve your spot
• The remaining balance is due in full 90 days before the start of the tour. If you would like to pay the remaining balance in installments, please let us know.
• All figures in USD per person
• Failure to make payments within this timeline could result in tour cancellation.
• A deposit is your commitment to joining the workshop. These deposits don’t typically sit in an account, they are used to cover initial expenses for the workshop like hotel reservations, park permits/fees and guided tour deposits. Due to these expenses, deposits are non-refundable and tour payment made is subject to a cancellation fee.
• The remaining balance is due in full 90 days before the start of the tour. If you would like to pay the remaining balance in installments, please let us know.
• All figures in USD per person
• Failure to make payments within this timeline could result in tour cancellation.
• A deposit is your commitment to joining the workshop. These deposits don’t typically sit in an account, they are used to cover initial expenses for the workshop like hotel reservations, park permits/fees and guided tour deposits. Due to these expenses, deposits are non-refundable and tour payment made is subject to a cancellation fee.
- More than 60 days before the start of the tour: Refund of workshop payment (not including deposit), less $100 convenience fee.
- 60 – 45 days before the start of the tour: Refund of 50% of workshop payment (not including deposit), less $199 convenience fee.
- Less than 45 days before the start of the tour: No refunds will be given, and all payments will be forfeited. Full payment is required no later than 45 days prior to departure. If full payment is not received by this date you will be notified by email. If you do not respond within 3 business days, your spot will be forfeited and offered to participants on the waiting list.
Of course, you can, and we will glad to have them over! If your partner or any other family member would like to join the photo tour, you can email us for non-photographer partner discount. Please note that though your guest cannot participate in the daily photographic activities they will not be bored as there are several activities that will keep them busy at the lodges, while you capture those amazing birds in the forests.
Since all lodges and hotels, we are associated with charge single supplements, we will have to book you a single room at the supplement price mentioned for each tour.
Alternatively, we can also find a perfect roommate for you based on your gender, age, and interests. If a roommate is not available, the single supplement will be charged.
Please note that we calculate the cost of the single supplement by taking the actual cost of a single room and subtracting one-half the cost of a double room (plus any applicable taxes).
Alternatively, we can also find a perfect roommate for you based on your gender, age, and interests. If a roommate is not available, the single supplement will be charged.
Please note that we calculate the cost of the single supplement by taking the actual cost of a single room and subtracting one-half the cost of a double room (plus any applicable taxes).
Sure! We’ll be happy to make your reservations to ensure that you get to the same hotel that we have booked for the official first night of the tour and include your extra day cost in the final payment. Since airport transfers are included, it does not matter if you arrive a day early or leave a day later
• Your Digital SLR full-frame camera
• Your longest telephoto lens preferably 300mm or more
• A wide-angle lens if you are interested in capturing landscapes
• You can also bring your flash with a flash bracket
• Pack a ton of memory cards
• A macro lens is highly recommended
• A sturdy tripod or monopod is required
• Release cables
Other essentials: Good hiking boots, Laptop, memory card readers, bug spray, sunscreen, silica gel sachets to keep your camera dry. Since, it is likely that there might be rain and mosquitoes especially in dense rainforests, so you must pack your rain jacket and a bug jacket.
• Your longest telephoto lens preferably 300mm or more
• A wide-angle lens if you are interested in capturing landscapes
• You can also bring your flash with a flash bracket
• Pack a ton of memory cards
• A macro lens is highly recommended
• A sturdy tripod or monopod is required
• Release cables
Other essentials: Good hiking boots, Laptop, memory card readers, bug spray, sunscreen, silica gel sachets to keep your camera dry. Since, it is likely that there might be rain and mosquitoes especially in dense rainforests, so you must pack your rain jacket and a bug jacket.
It is advisable that you pack light as you will need to carry them along with you. We suggest you carry one bag for the camera gear, one bag for your clothes and other handbag or backpack to keep the essentials handy. You can also carry a small satchel to carry your personal items or important documents that you might need frequently.
We advise you to carry your personal medical kit along with a first aid kit.
You can carry medicines that are for common illnesses like colds, cough, fever, diarrhea, altitude sickness, headaches, heartburn or severe acidity and sore throats to name a few. Those who take regular medication for hypertension, blood sugar, allergy, and asthma should carry an adequate supply of medicines.
We tend to travel to remote places, it is best you have your medicines handy. Though most of our trips require moderate stamina, it is best if you are high on energy and stay fit to get the most out of the experience.
Please note that this is a general information, it is recommended that you check with your physician and doctor to determine what medicines you need to carry.
You can carry medicines that are for common illnesses like colds, cough, fever, diarrhea, altitude sickness, headaches, heartburn or severe acidity and sore throats to name a few. Those who take regular medication for hypertension, blood sugar, allergy, and asthma should carry an adequate supply of medicines.
We tend to travel to remote places, it is best you have your medicines handy. Though most of our trips require moderate stamina, it is best if you are high on energy and stay fit to get the most out of the experience.
Please note that this is a general information, it is recommended that you check with your physician and doctor to determine what medicines you need to carry.
While most countries support International Roaming, local numbers can be procured from airports for voice calls. It is important to note that some of our birding areas do not have networks. Internet is not available at most lodges and when available, are limited to the dining areas
Please email any questions, concerns you may have to “info@tropicalphototours.com.”
Our team will get back to you with assistance.
Our team will get back to you with assistance.
