During this advanced workshop we will spend two full days in Yellowstone learning a number of good photographic practices and fieldcraft techniques by exploring a deeper understanding of both the charismatic megafauna and the fantastic birds of the Greater Yellowstone Ecoregion. We will spend time with such iconic species as Sandhill Crane, Golden Eagle, Mountain Bluebird, and Trumpeter Swan capturing their nesting and courtship behaviors at the height of breeding season! With luck, rarer species such as Dusky Grouse, Northern Pygmy-Owl, or Williamson’s Sapsucker might be found, among many others. While seeking out the bird shots we want, we will surely come across unforgettable mammal sightings. Bison with newborns, Wolves on a hunt or at a den, perhaps even a Grizzly Bear rooting for food are among the likely encounters we’ll spend time enjoying. By understanding the behaviors and natural history of the species we hope to photograph, we’ll learn how to better portray their lives and stories through our images.

About the instructor

Forrest Rowland is a published ornithologist and photographer who has happily resided in the Greater Yellowstone Ecoregion for the past 13 years. Beyond becoming intimately familiar with the resident and migratory birds of our region, he is an expert in the birds of Montana, the United States, and South America, where he has held or currently holds seats on Rare Bird Commitees, conservation committees and non-profit boards. During the course of his career in avian conservation biology, expedition planning, ecotourism business development, and photography Forrest has been honored to lead birding and wildlife adventures in more than 50 countries on 6 continents. He is excited to bring his passion for birds and ecology to this course and share his knowledge and love of Yellowstone’s amazing animals with you!