Trogon Photo Tours

SPAIN RAPTORS, IBEX, CRANES AND MORE PHOTO TOUR

November 29-December 10, 2021

Iberian Lynx Extension

December 10-16, 2021

Photo Tour: This photo tour takes place during the best time to photograph wintering raptors, Ibex in the rut and Common Cranes in Spain.  We will be photographing from blinds which are setup for different species.  Each of the blinds typically seats 3 photographers so we will be alternating between hides.  There is an Imperial Eagle hide, Goshawk hide, Golden Eagle hide, Bonelli's Eagle hide, Marsh Harrier and Kite hide (up to 15 species of raptor can be photographed at this hide during the winter), Griffon and Cinereous Vulture hide, Crane hide and small bird drinking pool hide.  When photographing the Ibex we will be walking.  There are also some photography from the vehicle and walk around photo opportunities but the majority of our time will be spent in the hides.  We will be staying in 4 star accommodation throughout with the majority of our hotel stays being in beautiful castles which have been turned into hotels.  Possible extensions include the South of Spain for Iberian Lynx and more Imperial Eagle or the Pyrenees for Bearded Vulture and other mountain species, contact us for details. 

Cost and Logistics:  Cost is $6,350 per photographer with a $600 single supplement.  Nonphotographer spouse cost depends on activities because of limited space in the blinds, $5,800 with full activities, contact us to discuss other options.  Arrival and departure airport is Madrid, Spain.  Cost includes all lodging, meals, hide fees, instruction, local transportation and guiding.  It does not include beverages, flights, tips or items of a personal nature. Deposit is $1,700.



Tour Leader:  Nate Chappell.  Nate will help you get great images in the field and answer any of your photography questions.  Nate will give a presentation on photographing birds in the wild.  We are also working with a Spanish photographer who has intimate knowledge of the species and locations.  

Maximum Participants: 5 photographers plus nonphotographer spouses and companions. 

Itinerary:

November 29th:  Arrive to Madrid, Spain, transfer to a 4 star hotel near the airport.

November 30th - Morning presentation on bird photography by Nate followed by transfer to Toledo area, afternoon small bird hide photography with Azure-winged Magpies, Hawfinch and other species or photography from the vehicle for Red-billed Partridge and others.  Hotel:  Parador de Oropesa, a wonderful castle. 

December 1st-6th - Six full days of photography.  Mornings will be raptor photography at either the Vulture hide, Imperial Eagle hide, Bonelli's Eagle hide, Harrier and Kite hide or Crane hide.  Everyone will get at least one session in each of the hides mentioned, probably 2 in the Harrier and Kite hide as it's the most active.  One day for those interested we will be hiking in the nearby mountains to photograph the rutting Ibex, anyone not interested can do more hide photography.  In the afternoon we will do small bird photography either from the hide, vehicle or walking near the castle which has good birdlife.  Hotel: Parador de Oropesa

December 7th - One more morning of raptor photography, then we will check out and have about a 3 hour transfer to our next location. Our hotel here will be another castle, the stunning Parador de Alarcon. 

December 8th - Full day Goshawk photography for half the group (with lunch break) and morning bird walk and afternoon Golden Eagle hide for the other half of the group.  Hotel: Parador de Alarcon.

December 9th - Switch from the 8th with the other half of the group doing the Goshawk and half doing the Golden Eagle hide.  In the late afternoon we will transfer back to a 4 star hotel near the Madrid airport. 

December 10th - Transfer back to the Madrid airport for your flight home or start an extension to either the Pyrenees to photograph Bearded Vulture and other mountain species or to the South of Spain to try for the beautiful Iberian Lynx, (there are more raptor and bird photography hides in the South as well.)  Contact us to discuss the possibilities. 

Iberian Lynx Extension:

December 10th - Morning pick up, check out and transfer down to the Sierra de Andjuar region of Southern Spain.  This mountainous national park supports a great deal of wildlife and is the stronghold of the Iberian Lynx.  Afternoon photography session in the park.  We will be staying in a lovely country hotel on a private estate.

December 11th-14th - We will have 4 full days of photography in the Sierra de Andujar.  There are two blinds which attract lynx, one which also attracts a lot of songbirds such as Azure-winged Magpie, Hawfinch and Sardinian Warbler.  The second blind is a raptor blind which the lynx visits occasionally.  The main raptors are Spanish Imperial Eagle, Goshawk and Common Buzzard.  Blue Rock Thrush can also be photograhed from this hide.  We will also take 4 wheel drive vehicles to explore the park and photograph from.  This will add more chances for Lynx, Deer, Mouflon Sheep, Ibex and Otter.  The Lynx are not seen every day but photographing over the course of 5 days we would usually have a couple of good sightings.  Each evening we will return to our hotel on a private estate. 

December 15th - One more morning exploring the Sierra de Andujar followed by check out and transfer back to a 4 star hotel near the Madrid airport. 

December 16th - Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. 

Cost of Extension: $3,450 per participant, $300 single supplement includes all transportation, lodging, meals, park fees, guiding, blind usage. Deposit is $800.