Belize Rainforest - Tom Bol Photo Workshops

Location: Belize City

Dates: January 5-12, 2025 3 Spaces Available

Cost: $6799 double occupancy, $620 single supplement

Description: Join Tom and Cree Bol in Belize to photograph the colorful birds, mammals and plants of the rainforest. Belize is a tiny country in Central American, about the size of Massachusetts and only a 90 minute flight from Houston. It is dotted with Mayan ruins, subterranean caves and has beautiful Carribean islands right off shore. We will visit two lodges on this workshop.

At the first lodge we will photograph hummingbirds, toucans and tanagers. Feeders near the lodge make photography very accessible. At our second lodge we will explore the Crooked Tree freshwater estuary by boat. We hope to photograph several species of kingfishers, Roseate Spoonbills, Tiger Herons, green herons, and boat-billed herons. We will also photograph mammals in Belize including Central American Agouti, Black-mantled Howler Monkey, Gray Fox, and Black-hand Spider Monkey as well as some brilliant rainforest butterflies. Retiles may include Basilisk Lizards, American Crocodiles, and Green Iguanas.

We will travel by van to get to both of our lodges. While at Crooked Tree we will explore the estuary and magroves by boat with local guides. Bring a lot of flash cards, because the wildlife is abundant.

Our schedule:

Day 1: Arrive Belize City at Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport, Take shuttle to Fort George Hotel and Spa. Welcome dinner at 6:30 pm.

Day 2: Morning Transfer to La Milpa Field Station. Morning photo stop at Captain Hook Shrimp Farm. Arrive at La Milpa and photography on grounds. We will be looking for the beautiful Keel Billed Toucan with it’s rainbow colored beak. It is the national bird of Belize and most often seen on a box of Fruit Loops.

Day 3: Photography at La Milpa Field Station including multi flash photography for hummingbirds. We are likely to see White Necked Jacobins, Stripe-throated Hermits, Purple Crowned Fairies and Rufous-tailed Hummingbirds. We also ope to photograph trogons, Lesson’s Motmot, Parrots, Parakeets, Tanagers and Euphonias.

Day 4: Morning session at La Milpa Field Station. Depart for Crooked Tree after lunch. Afternoon photography session on grounds at Crooked Tree. We will be looking for Vermillion Flycatchers, Bat Falcons,Orioles, Oropendolas and four different kids of Kingfisher.

Day 5: Explore Crooked Tree Sanctuary with morning and afternoon boat rides. One of the most famous birds in this area is the Jabiru Stork. It is the tallest flying birds in the Americas. We will also see Whistling Ducks and a variety of waders like Roseate Spoonbill, Limpkin, Northen Jacana, Tiger Herons, and Boat-biled herons.

Day 6: More morning and afternoon boat rides to explore more of the estuary looking for waders, herons, egrets and perching birds. We may come across mammals like Howler Monkeys, Agouti and Coati.

Day 7: Morning around the grounds of Crooked Tree. Transfer to Belize City with photo stops along the way. Final dinner in Belize City.

Day 8: Departure for airport at your leisure with hotel shuttle.

What can you expect to learn?

Wildlife techniques: this is your chance to really improve your wildlife photography. We’ll show you specific tips on camera settings, focus modes, panning and composition. You will have plenty of time to practice; just step outside the lodges and there will be birds nearby.

Macro photography: We will be on the lookout for butterflies, small reptiles, and frogs on this workshop. The lodges and nearby jungle will have flowering plants in January so you can continue working on your macro shooting right near your room. We will talk about macro lenses, reflector and diffuser use.

Processing your images: during the workshop, we will have classes on image processing. We will show you how to process images in both Lightroom and Photoshop. We will show you how to bring out shadows and set highlights on high contrast jungle canopy images. You will learn the best way to reduce noise, and how to accurately sharpen an image. Most importantly, we will show you everything you need to know so you can bring your amazing Belize images to the next level!

What is included in the price?