3rd – 10th of January 2015
Join me on a trip to Hungary for six days of intense bird photography. The main attraction will be the Eastern Imperial Eagle, the White-tailed Eagle, the Long-eared Owl and the Kingfisher to name a few species.
The Great Hungarian Plain, also called the Puszta, is our destination and there we will have a few of hides to our disposal together with the expertise of our bird guide and host Zoltán. The workshop is set to six photographers which means that five photographers can join me on the trip to the steppe habitat in Hungary.
The main hide will be the Eagle hide, which has been in use since 2009. This hide is situated on the steppe in the middle of prime Eastern Imperial Eagle territory, but it also has a good amount of wintering White-tailed Eagles.
You can unfortunately not drive to the Eagle hide, which means that you have to walk 5 to 20 minutes in the morning depending upon the weather conditions.
Everyone is guaranteed three full days in the Eagle hide. As usual you need to be inside the hide before sunrise and you´ll leave first at sunset. The temperature inside the hide is held up with a gas heater even when the temperatures drop below zero on the outside.
You will shoot through custom designed window panes measuring 100x50 cm making it possible to follow birds in flight. On the downside you will lose some light and the sharpness are not 100% at some extreme angles but the positives clearly outweighs the negative.
The distance to the Eagles is usually between 10-40 meters meaning focal lengths of 200mm and upward will work. The recommendation is 300mm for flying birds and 500mm for stationary.
In addition to Eagles you also may see Common Buzzard, Hen Harrier, Rough-legged Buzzard, Saker Falcon, Rook, Raven, Great Bustard, Partridge and Red Fox from the Eagle hide.
You will get the opportunity to use two hides with bird feeder for Passerines and Woodpeckers during the tour. Here you can photo Hawfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Syrian Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker and the usual suspects like Blue Tit, Great Tit, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch. The passerines might also attract the Sparrowhawk.
During winter you have roosting colonies of Long-eared Owls in the towns. It is not uncommon with more than 100 individuals in a single town. You will spend at least half a day doing Owl photography in different towns and if you are lucky you might even find Short- eared Owls in the roosting colony.
The area has hot thermal springs and therefore also Spa resorts. It attracts not only tourists, but also Kingfishers as the warm thermal water ensures that there is open water even in winter.
It is not just the Kingfisher that is attracted by the open hunting ground, but also the Grey Heron and the Great White Egret can be seen in the area.
We will live in two Guest Houses located directly by a hot thermal spring and its spa facility.
You will prepare and eat breakfast at the accommodation, included in the price.
You will get a packed lunch during the day and eat a hot meal at the local restaurant at night, included in the price. The only expenses you´ll have is if you want any alcoholic beverages, which is not covered in the price for this trip.
Warm clothing will be essential as parts of the photography is done outdoors and a "raincoat" for the camera is good to have. A tripod and a ball head, or gimbal head, will be required as well. Extra camera batteries is recommended as well as sufficient memory cards. A laptop, card reader and storage device is required so you can download and work with your material during the tour. A head lamp is good to have during the early mornings and don´t forget to bring you good humour.
The cost for the trip is 350.000 HUF which must be paid at the latest on the 15th of November.
Best regards Lennart Hessel [email protected]