2027 Migratory Shorebirds Day Photography Tour

2027 Migratory Shorebirds Day Photography Tour

Photograph Birds Along the Central Migratory Pathway

Every spring, I wait for the first stretches of open water.

After a long northern Alberta winter, it doesn't take long before the birds begin to find them. Great blue herons gather at the edges. Waterfowl return in breeding plumage. Loons and grebes reappear on the lake. And gradually, the Boreal Forest begins to sound like itself again.

I have lived in the Lac La Biche region for most of my adult life, and this annual movement of birds is one of the things I look forward to most.

We sit along the Central Migratory Pathway, and for many of the birds arriving here, Lac La Biche is only one part of a much longer journey. Some will stay and raise their young. Others are resting and feeding before continuing north, some all the way to the Arctic.

Then, as summer begins to fade, I watch the movement change direction.

Shorebirds begin appearing along our beaches and wetlands on their journey south. Plovers, godwits, avocets, and sandpipers move through, sometimes staying only briefly before continuing on. Every year is different, and that is part of what I love about photographing migration. I know where to look, but I never know exactly what we are going to find.

There is a reason birds have been protected here for generations. Lac La Biche and its islands are recognized federally as a Migratory Bird Sanctuary, with the islands also receiving provincial protection. This lake has long been understood as an important place for nesting and staging waterbirds.

A Private Photography Experience

This is a private tour for just one or two photographers, and we have an evening and the following morning to explore what is happening around the lake.

I don't approach these days with a list of photographs we need to make. I pay attention to where the birds are, what they are doing, where the light is falling, and what opportunities are beginning to develop.

Sometimes that means lying low along a shoreline with a tiny sandpiper. Sometimes it is trying to anticipate the flight path of a heron or working with the reflections of a perfectly still morning. And sometimes the photograph is in one of those quieter moments that would be very easy to walk past.

While we photograph, I will help you with whatever you need in the moment, from flight settings and exposure to composition, perspective, behaviour and learning to recognize when there may be more to a scene than the obvious photograph.

Ethical Wildlife Photography

Wildlife first, always.

Migration is demanding. Some of the birds we encounter have already travelled enormous distances, and many still have a very long way to go.

So we give them room.

I have spent years watching and photographing the birds around Lac La Biche, and understanding their behaviour is an important part of how I work. We pay attention to what the bird is telling us, particularly around feeding, resting, and nesting areas, and we never prioritize getting closer or getting a photograph over the welfare of the bird.

For me, ethical wildlife photography isn't simply about following a set of rules. It is about paying attention closely enough to understand the animal in front of you.

And often, that is where the better photographs begin too.

Tour Location:

All tours take place in the beautiful Lac La Biche region of Alberta, Canada. Whether you’re an experienced photographer or just beginning your journey, this tour offers something for everyone.

Join me for an unforgettable experience in one of Canada’s richest birding regions and leave with incredible photos and memories to cherish!

2027 Tour Dates

The tour is designed to run one evening and the following morning to maximize the light.

Spring dates

In the springtime, the ice is thawing, but the lake is still mostly frozen. This is a great time to photograph great blue herons and waterfowl that stay close to the shore in large groups where the lake is opening. The birds exhibit mating behaviours at this time and are in full plumage. 

April 23/24
April 24/25

Late summer dates

As the summer begins to wind down, thousands of sandpipers are migrating back south from the far north, passing through Lac La Biche. A wide variety of pipers, from yellowlegs to godwits to avocets, can be encountered in late August. Pelicans, comorants, and loons are still plentiful; however, the ducks will be out of plumage. 

August 27/28
August 28/29

Costs

$700- One participant 
$1100- Two participants

What is covered in the cost?

• Pick up and drop off at your accommodations for tour
• In-field photography tips and teaching

What is not covered in the cost?

• Transportation to and from Lac La Biche, Alberta, Canada
• Accommodations
• Meals

What level of physical activity is required?

• Ability to walk up to 1.5km carrying camera gear. Ability to get up and down from the ground.

What will the weather be like?

• Weather is relatively cool in April but much warmer in August. In April, it can be from below zero to 15 °C, and in August, temperatures tend to be around 20C to 25 °C 
• An updated forecast will be provided closer to the actual date of the tour. 

What should you bring?

• Plenty of batteries
• A lens that has a reach of at least 400mm

Itinerary (subject to change)

First Evening

5:00 pm - pick up at accommodations
5:20 pm - arrive at first location
5:20 pm - 8:00 pm - on the beach photographing birds, will move locations as necessary
8:00 pm - return to accommodations
8:20 pm - arrive at accommodations

Second Morning
5:45 am - pick up at accommodations
6:00 am -  arrive at first location
6:00 am - 9;30 am - on the beach photographing birds, will move locations as necessary
9:30 am- return to accommodations
9:45 am - arrive at accommodations

I highly recommend travel insurance to protect your trip from unforeseen illness, personal emergencies, or travel disruptions, as bookings are non-refundable or only partially refundable depending on the cancellation date.

•  If Donna Feledichuk Photography has to cancel a tour due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., extreme weather, natural disasters, health issues, or unforeseen technical issues), the full amount of the tour will be refunded.   
• I will be actively looking for migrating birds in the area in the days leading up to the trip. If no owls are located at least 72 hours before the start of the trip, I will notify the participants and provide a full refund of the tour costs.
• Any expenses incurred by participants in relation to the canceled trip (i.e., travel, hotel, etc) will remain the responsibility of the participants. As such, I strongly recommend participants purchase travel insurance for their trip that includes coverage for COVID-related cancellations and trip interruptions. 

NOTE: While we will make every attempt to find the wildlife during the tour, there is NO guarantee that we will. Inability to find wildlife does not warrant a refund.