TESTIMONIALS
This page includes emails that our participants have sent to us after our tours and web reviews that they have written.
"Thanks for facilitating an awesome trip and the personal processing instruction" - Ray Bednar, Costa Rica 2019 (leader was Charles Gangas)
"Hi Chuck (Charles Gangas)... Lots to process from our trip and by that I mean all the learning that you provided. Thanks very much. Francine and I had a great time that you and your lovely wife arranged." - Jeffrey Buchhalter, Thailand 2019
"Guilherme was a wonderful guide and traveling companion and we would not hesitate to travel with him again. We enjoyed each of the lodges and the variety of wildlife each one had." - Judith Dunn, Brazil 2018
"We had a wonderful time in Thailand, Chuck (Charles Gangas) is so nice and patient with us, We have learned a lot from him and looking forward to meet him in Costa Rica."
Jonathan and Angie Kwok - Thailand 2018
"First let me say Nate is one of the nicest people I have met. Easy going... Nate’s expertise with photography principles and different types of camera systems is one of the key elements to his success with people of all skill levels. Having said all of that I must also say Nate is a knowledgeable and accomplished birder too!
Ecuador ---- WOW. I have wanted to visit this country for its variety of birds, but specifically the hummingbirds. My only disappointment was I had to leave after the two-week trip."
Marty Kramer, Port Ochard, WA - Participant Ecuador, Malheur, WA Eagles, Nome, Yellowstone, Arizona
"Just back from a fantastic three weeks in the Pantanal and Atlantic Rain Forest regions of Brazil with Nate Chappell of Trogon Tours. As always Nate did an outstanding job of keeping our group of six photographers happy with what we were shooting and with each other. We saw amazing scenery, birds and other wildlife. Each evening we recapped the day with lots of laughter as we recalled all the interesting sights and events of the day."
"Just spent a fantastic weekend at a workshop in Arizona with Nate and Angie Chappell which I highly recommend."
May Haga - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - Participant Brazil, Ecuador, Malheur, Texas, Arizona, Argentina
"My wife and I attended a Trogon Tours Eagle workshop recently and I must admit that we both had an exceptional experience. I arrived as a nervous "advanced beginner" but left with the knowledge and confidence to capture well composed and properly exposed images. Nate Chappell and his colleague, Ken Archer, are excellent teachers and very enjoyable and knowledable field guides. Nate has an uncanny ability to make difficult subjects understandable... Two incredible photographers - excellent attention to everyone's needs, great information and the perfect number of participants! My wife, who was along as an observer, and I agree that we will eagerly attend more workshops when we can. Thanks Nate and Ken for a job well done!"
-Dr. Robert Penny, Texas, participant Eagles
"The workshop was just what I needed to get inspired again ... Thanks again for a great workshop, I wouldn't hesitate joining you for another one".
-Katie Rupp, Oregon participant WA Eagles, 2012, Thailand 2013, South Africa 2014, Ecuador 2018
"After the most amazing week of photography, I'm about to leave Texas bound for Denver, Colorado. Thank you Nate Chappell for sharing your knowledge of photography and teaching me so much.
-Kylie Valencius, Australia, participant Thailand 2012, Texas 2014
"Thank you very much again for the wonderful trip to Ecuador! ...So we look back to very well organized holidays for all of us with many nice photo opportunities."
- Jan van der Greef, Netherlands - multiple BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year award winner in the birds category. We have organized month long private tours for Jan and his family to Ecuador, Argentina and South Africa. In fact one of his images taken on the Ecuador tour with me placed in the 2014 BBC contest.
"My experience with Trogon Tours at Malheur NWR in late April was the best photo workshop I've been on. I'd have to say the most efficient four days ever spent with my camera. The professionals (Nate and Ken) in charge had obviously done their homework. For such a vast and beautiful location in southeast Oregon, we had the most useful and advantageous places to stay. All within reasonable distance to the best sights for photo opportunities. Also helpful was, most photo ops were accessible by vehicle, which made it easy for the professionals to provide suggestions and answer questions. As I was fortunate to pick up some valuable tips on camera settings best for wildlife. All in all, I had the opportunity to capture more beautiful wildlife in four days than I ever would have imagined. Not to mention the very nice company to spend it all with."
-Ken Arni, Delaware, participant Malheur 2010, Yellowstone 2011, Eagles 2012, Texas 2014
"All trips were professionally organized but also very relaxed, great time and conversations with both Nate and Angie. Places we visited were carefully selected to prepare us for different elevations and to help us adapt quickly to new conditions. We got good tips from Nate about photography, which I successfully used, especially for hummingbirds. ... Very friendly people, comfortable accommodation, great places we visited, excellent guiding, professional organization and too many photos to process when I got back, is a quick summary of this photo tour with Trogon Tours."
- Gorazd Golob, Slovenia participant Ecuador December 2008, 2011, 2013
"I cannot say enough good things about the trip with Nate and Ken. In addition to being wonderful teachers, generous with their knowledge and advice (and gear!), they are both just great guys to spend time with. Can't wait to get away on another one of their trips."
-Rebecca Lovell, New Jersey, Malheur 2011
"I had a wonderful time, I didn't want it to end. Thank you so much for all of your help and advice... You can definitely put me down for Thailand next year."
- Grace Bryant, Australia, Ecuador and the Galapagos, December 2011, Thailand 2012, Trinidad and Tobago 2014, Texas 2014, Peru 2016, South Africa 2018
"To prepare for my upcoming photo safari I took a couple of one day private bird photography workshops with Nate Chappell. After a few field sessions with Nate, my DSLR is beginning to feel second nature when it comes to bird photography. With Nate's guidance, my bird photography, including flight photography has greatly improved. I've learned and better understand the myriad of camera controls that can enhance your bird photos. In addition, what constitutes professional level composition, critiquing my photos after the field session and how to critique my own photos for continuing improvement were very helpful. I'd recommend Nate to anyone who desires to improve their bird photography."
-Michael Scupine, Seattle, WA individual workshops Ridgefield NWR, WA .
"Our Ecuador trip more than met our expectations, both for the regions of the beautiful country we visited and the incredible birdlife. Both Susan and I loved it and would gladly do it again."
-Dr. George Vlahakis, Yakima, WA Ecuadortour
Bald Eagle with Olympic Mountains the background by Roger Leekam, Hood Canal Eagles, May 2011