Workshop dates updated. Now offering both multi and single day workshops photographing the tundra swans of Mattamuskeet!
Known as Paquippe by the Secotan tribe of Indians that once inhabited this land in the 1500s, Lake Mattamuskeet is truly a biological and geological wonder. The largest natural lake in the state of North Carolina, this body of water is 18 miles wide and 7 miles long yet has an average depth of only 3 feet. The shallow nature of this water combined with the legendary rich soils below the surface, allows for light to penetrate all the way to the bottom and submergent aquatic vegetation to not just grow, but to explode throughout the entire lake. The result? Some 100,000 tundra swans congregating in this one spot each winter. Migration is all about food, and Mattamuskeet is a natural industrial sized feedlot for migratory waterfowl – especially swans.
The waterfowling of Eastern North Carolina is not only world renowned, its simply legendary. Imagine yourself tucked into a blind, the sound of 100,000 swans fills the air and deafens the ears. As far as the eye can see, the water is blanketed with the white of these extraordinary birds. Just 20 feet away, they coon and honk as courtship displays abound. Eye level with the birds you sit mesmerized by one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in the country. Of course nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd, and so overhead you hear the tell tail high pitched whistling of their wings, the same whistle that these birds once derived their name from, as pair after pair descend upon you. Your only concern is whether or not your brought enough memory cards. Welcome to Mattamuskeet.
Join us on this two day waterfowl photography workshop as we photography the tundra swans of Mattamuskeet.
1 day workshop $250
Price: 2 day workshop $425
Limited to 2 participants
Multi-Day Workshop Dates:
December 2010 - 4-5, 11-12, 18-19
January 2011 - 1-2;
One Day Workshop Dates:
December 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 2010
January 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 2011
Itinerary:
Arrive Friday evening at hotel in Fairfield North Carolina and meet for dinner that night. At dinner we will discuss logistics for the weekend and make any special arrangements for participants if needed.
Saturday and Sunday morning we will be in place to shoot before sunrise and will photograph until the light becomes too harsh. When we leave the refuge we will retire for lunch and rest before the afternoon shoot and after dinner upon leaving the lake at night.