The Florida wading birds photo tour is coming soon now! October 10th and 11th 2026 and I have still one open spot: Send me an email at steven@stevenbirdphotography.com if you are interested 🙂 Note that Reddish Egrets are a near certain sight during this tour. If you like this very expressive bird, come along.
ISO 400 | f/4 | 1/4000 sec. | Manual mode
Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS with the Sony A1 mark II
The Reddish Egret is ever the very entertaining wading bird in Florida. It is often found in comical poses, whether while resting or while hunting. Truly, few birds can shake it off like this one does!! Make sure you shoot at a higher shutter speed to avoid motion blur.
ISO 500 | f/4 | 1/5000 sec. | Manual mode
Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS with the Sony A1 mark II
While the Reddish Egret stands out with its “reddish” head, it can often be found puffed up or doing some kind of crazy acrobatics. In this image, the air is violently blowing through the bird’s feathers. This does not seem to bother our subject one bit. Also, it is an easy bird to approach, making it a cooperative photography subject.
ISO 640 | f/4 | 1/4000 sec. | Manual mode
Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS with the Sony A1 mark II
Now, the stance above the signature hunting pose for this iconic wading bird. I call it the vampire wings position!! It is thought that the main reason for this is to be able to better see the fish in the water.
ISO 1600 | f/4 | 1/2500 sec. | Manual mode
Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS with the Sony A1 mark II
Take offs are always a bit challenging to capture. The photographer needs to anticipate on the action to come… A good study of the bird’s behavior is usually best, unless you have helpful tour leader nearby who calls the shots to happen 🙂
Florida Shorebirds & Wading Birds Photography Tour – $1,090
October 10th-11th 2026 / limit 6 people – 1 open
3 shoots and 1 over-the-shoulder Photoshop tutoring => 3 shoots at Fort Desoto Park. $250 deposit. Send me an email at steven@stevenbirdphotography.com to book your spot.
Black Skimmers Colony Photography Workshop – $1,190
June 12th-13th 2027 / limit 6 people – 5 open
3 shoots and 1 over-the-shoulder Photoshop tutoring => 3 shoots at the Sarasota Bay Black Skimmers colony. We shoot along the beach, where the nesting colony is easily accessible. $250 deposit. Send me an email at steven@stevenbirdphotography.com to book your spot.
East Florida Fishing Ospreys / Spoonbills mix Photography Tour
March 13th-14th 2027 (Airboat option $1,690) / limit 4 people – 3 open
April 10th-11th 2027 (Fishing Jetty option $1,590) / limit 5 people – 4 open
3 shoots and 1 over-the-shoulder Photoshop tutoring => 1 pontoon boat-based Osprey shoots at the Vero Beach Cypress Lake + 1 land-based Spoonbills shoot at a local rookery + either (i) 1 shoot at the fishing jetty or (ii) 1 airboat shoot. $250 deposit. Send me an email at steven@stevenbirdphotography.com to book your spot.