Capturing Stunning Moments In Nature
2024 Schedule
Youth Nature Photography Workshop Series — The Valley Land Fund and Quinta Mazatlan
Six Saturdays During June and July 2024
$5 Per Student Per Session
The Valley Land Fund and Quinta Mazatlan have partnered, once again, to offer youth nature photography summertime workshops. Two sessions based on participants’ ages are scheduled for six Saturdays during June and July 2024. The first session is from 8am-10am for 8-12 year olds and 10:30am-12:30pm for 13-18 year olds. Advance registration is required by visiting quintamazatlan.ticketleap.com Cost is $5 per student per session.
These sessions are led by Ruth Hoyt, who excels at showing children how to capture the beauty and diversity of Rio Grande Valley nature.
BIRDS, BIRDS, and MORE BIRDS! South Padre Island & Laguna Seca Ranch
October 10-16, 2024
Cost: $ 3,500 (double occupancy)
7 days / 6 nights; Limited to 6 participants
Contact Ruth at (956) 330-2900 or ruth@ruthhoyt.com for single occupancy.
Join Ruth for a new addition to her South Texas workshops. This is a great opportunity to photograph a variety of birds that either call the RGV home, or that winter in the area. This workshop focuses on water and land birds. Photograph them in different environments and in flight.
The workshop begins at South Padre Island on October 10, 2024. If flying to the RGV, McAllen is a 1 ½ hour drive and if flying into Harlingen, it is a 45-minute drive to SPI. Keep in mind that on the last day, the ranch is closer to the McAllen airport.
We meet at South Padre Island (SPI) on Thursday to check in to the hotel and for dinner.
Days 2 & 3 we photograph at places including the convention center, boardwalk, beach, and South Texas Ecotourism Center (STEC).
Potential wildlife: roseate spoonbill, ibis, sanderlings, sora, egrets, black-necked stilt, herons, Monarch butterflies, and American alligators, to name a few.
Day 4 — We leave the island after lunch (on your own) and drive to and check in to our Edinburg hotel by 3 pm. Prepare to caravan to Laguna Seca Ranch for a 4:00 pm afternoon shoot until dusk, then convene for dinner (included) at a local restaurant.
Days 5 & 6 — We depart the hotel at 6:00 am and photograph until late morning. We return to Edinburg for lunch (on your own) and at 1:30 pm, we meet for instruction or downloading and processing images. We return to the ranch at 4:00 pm and leave at sundown. Dinner is on your own.
Day 7 — We depart the hotel at 6:30 am and photograph until 10:30. Return to the hotel for check-out, lunch (on your own), and head home.
Potential birds: green jay, great kiskedee, thrashers, Northern cardinal, pyrrhuloxia, Northern bobwhite, golden-fronted woodpecker, warblers, crested caracara, and Harris’s hawk.
Workshop Includes:
- Two welcome dinners (SPI and Edinburg)
- Hotels
- Water & snacks
- All fees
- Bait/offerings
- Instruction, assistance, demos, etc.
Workshop Does Not Include:
- Transportation to the Rio Grande Valley
- Transportation to and from the sites
- Travel insurance
- Lunches and dinners, except those mentioned
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities
Pre- RGV Birding Festival Workshop
November 2-5, 2024
Cost: $2,800 (double occupancy)
$200 discount for RGVBF attendees
4 days / 3 nights; Limited to 5 participants
Single supplement fee (to have your own room): $400
Join Ruth Hoyt for this pre-festival, exclusive bird photography workshop on private ranches in the Rio Grande Valley.
Space is limited to five participants. Special pricing for RGVBF attendees: $2,600 (this includes a $200 discount!), based on double occupancy. Add $400 for single occupancy. Rooms have been reserved for three nights for our group at Comfort Inn, 4001 Closner (Business 281), Edinburg, TX.
Physical capabilities: easy. We drive right up to the blinds. Some walking is required at our final morning session.
Learn in the field: camera settings for capturing bird behavior, birds in flight, working from photo blinds, focus tracking, tricky lighting, anticipating behavior, critiques and suggestions for improvement.
Learn in the classroom: workflow, how to import and select images using Lightroom and Topaz, how to prepare images for output, critiques and suggestions for improvement.
Bring a DSLR or mirrorless camera, minimum 300mm focal length lens, memory cards,
batteries, tripod, and a way to back up your cards.
Expect warm and cold weather. Wear layers of neutral-colored clothing (no bright colors or white) so you can adjust on the fly. Wear sturdy, close-toed walking/hiking shoes. Hats, sunscreen, and insect repellent are recommended.
Daily schedule includes morning ranch visit, lunch break, classroom instruction, and afternoon ranch sessions. Dinner is on your own except for November 2, 2024.
Workshop Includes:
- Meet and Greet orientation dinner November 2, 2024. Bring your camera with you to the meeting with any lens attached.
- Five photo sessions on two private ranches
- Two classroom sessions during mid-day break; lunches provided
- Three nights of lodging/accommodations at the Comfort Inn, Edinburg
- Photographic instruction to help you maximize your stay and improve your photographic knowledge
- Water and snacks
- All applicable taxes
Workshop Does Not Include:
- Transportation to and from the ranch
- Travel insurance
- Dinners other than orientation meal on November 2, 2024
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Gratuities
Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival
November 6-10, 2024
Join Ruth’s workshops scheduled during the festival. Find her workshops and classroom sessions at the Rio Grande Valley birding festival in Harlingen, Texas.
Colombia
November 18-28, 2024
Cost: $5,400 (double occupancy)
Add $400 for single occupancy if available.
Deposit of $1,500 is due by July 30.
Led by Ruth Hoyt and local professional tour guides, Colombia is a new venture for Ruth. She books private locations to ensure her participants have optimized opportunities for great photographs. Cost is $5,400, double occupancy. Add $400, for single occupancy if available. To maximize your photographic experience, participation is limited to 7-8 individuals. A deposit of $1,500 is due July 30, 2024, and balance is due 30 days prior to the tour.
Tour Inclusions:
- Airport transfers on first and last day
- All lodging
- Professional local guide throughout the tour
- Breakfasts and dinners (from breakfast on day 2 through breakfast on day 9)
- Transfers and transportation in private vehicle
- Photography activity at all locations
- Guide fees
- Water
- All applicable taxes
Tour Exclusions:
- Airfare to and from Colombia
- Dinner upon arrival and final night
- Lunches
- Alcoholic beverages
- Travel insurance
- Tips to guides and drivers
- Items of personal nature
- Anything not listed in the tour inclusions
Costa Rica
December 2-11, 2024
Cost: $5,100 (double occupancy)
Add $400 for single occupancy if available.
A deposit of $1,500 is due by September 30, 2023
Ruth continues to make annual ventures into Costa Rica. Each time, she discovers new birds such as the Fiery-throated Hummingbird she photographed in December 2022. In addition, Ruth books exclusive locations to capture the Resplendent Quetzal on every trip. She is excited to share her new discoveries with interested photographers.
Cost for this tour is $5,100, double occupancy. Extra $400 for single occupancy if available. To maximize your photo experience, participation is limited to 7-8 individuals. A deposit of $1,500 is due September 30, 2023, and balance is due 30 days prior to the tour.
Tour Inclusions:
- Airport transfers on first and last day
- All lodging
- Professional local guide throughout the tour
- Breakfasts and dinners (from breakfast on day 2 through breakfast on day 9)
- Transfers and transportation in private vehicle
- Photography activity at all locations
- Guide fees
- Two (2) quetzal tours
- Three (3) private residences for unique opportunities
- Private location for King Vulture photo blind
- Optional multi-flash setup in one location
- Water
Tour Exclusions:
- Dinner upon arrival and final night
- Alcoholic beverages
- Travel insurance
- Night session of bats at one location (extra fee if chosen)
- Lunches
- Tips to guides and drivers
- Items of personal nature
- Anything not listed in the tour inclusions
2025 Schedule
OM (Olympus) Workshop
February 11-15, 2025
Cost: $3,625 (double occupancy)
5 days / 4 nights, Limited to 5 participants
Contact Ruth at (956) 330-2900 or ruth@ruthhoyt.com for single occupancy.
Join OM photographer, Ruth Hoyt, in this second annual, highly successful workshop aimed at helping OM system users to maximize use of their gear and all it has to offer. Workshop is limited to five participants.
The group meets in San Antonio and the following morning takes off to photograph the endangered Whooping Cranes from a private boat in Rockport, Texas. From there, we head to Edinburg, Texas, for the next few days to shoot from photo blinds at the Laguna Seca Ranch, a world-renowned site for bird photography.
Ruth provides individual attention as needed. We will conduct evening classes before the Whooping Crane shoot and the sessions at Laguna Seca to answer any questions and let the participants know what to expect to get their best results.
This is a repeat venture for Ruth, who strongly believes she brings a lot to the table for OM System users. If you have any questions or need additional information, please let us know.
Workshop Includes:
- Transportation from San Antonio, TX, to all locations and return to San Antonio.
- Hotels (Rockport and Edinburg)
- All dinners
- All lunches
- Ranch fees
- Boat fees
- Water/snacks
Workshop Does Not Include:
- Transportation costs from your home to and from Antonio, TZ
- Travel insurance
- Items of a personal nature
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities
Whooping Crane Festival
February 20-23, 2025
Join Ruth’s workshops scheduled during the festival. Find her workshops and classroom sessions at the Whooping Crane festival in Port Aransas, Texas.
Colombia
March 20-29, 2025
Cost: $5,400 (double occupancy)
Single supplement fee, if available (to have your own room): $650
10 Days / 9 Nights; Limited to 6 participants
Details coming soon!
Costa Rica
April 9 - 20, 2025
Cost: $5,400 (double occupancy)
10 Days / 9 Nights; Limited to 6 participants
Single supplement fee (to have your own room): $400
Details coming soon!
Galveston Birding Festival
April 23-28, 2025
Join Ruth’s workshops scheduled during the festival. Find her workshops and classroom sessions at the Galveston FeatherFest birding festival in Galveston, Texas.
The Birds of Texas
May 1-6, 2025
Cost: $3,900 (double occupancy)
6 days / 5 nights; 6-10 participants
Cost for optional morning session: $450
Credit Card Cost Breakdown
- 3,985 per person (includes blind access, instruction, double occupancy lodging, and two dinners)
- $368 Single Supplement
- $499 additional per person for local transportation (if you do not want to drive or rent your own car – includes local airport pickup)
- $525 Non-refundable Deposit due upon Booking
Cash Discount Cost Breakdown
- $3,795 per person (includes blind access, instruction, double occupancy lodging, and two dinners)
- $350 Single Supplement
- $475 additional per person for local transportation (if you do not want to drive or rent your own car – includes local airport pickup)
- $500 Non-refundable Deposit due upon Booking
Final Payment Deadline: March 1, 2025
Join award-winning photographers Ruth Hoyt and Cheryl Opperman for an exclusive photo workshop on private property to photograph the diverse and beautiful birds of Texas. The workshop includes four morning blind sessions & four evening blind sessions with a variety of perches and water holes against pleasing backgrounds with front light (on sunny days).
Maximum time is spent in the field with optional sessions during the middle of the day for individual instruction, critiques, and post processing assistance. We will help you as much or as little as you want, all to ensure you go home with the best images possible.
Spring migration is in full swing as birds move from their wintering grounds to their northern summer homes and many spend time on the ranches during this period. Most of the birds are fresh because they have shifted wardrobes to their finest plumage for courting and breeding. The tour focuses on birds, as well as wildlife and other creatures of deep south Texas.
Workshop Includes:
- Eight (am/pm) photo shoots on a South Texas private ranch
- Five-night stay in an Edinburg hotel
- Water and snacks
- All applicable taxes
- Welcome and farewell dinner
- All ranch/blind fees
- Our full photographic knowledge and instruction, not only in the blinds but with critiquing and post-processing sessions in between. You will go home with many awesome images and memories!!
Workshop Does Not Include:
- Transportation to Edinburg, TX. Closest airport is McAllen, TX, 14 miles from Edinburg. If you choose the optional morning session, please plan your departure for mid-afternoon or later.
- Transportation to and from the ranch
- Travel insurance
- Mid-day meals
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Gratuities
Likely Species Include:
Painted Bunting
Green Jay
Pyrrhuloxia
Curve-billed and Long-billed Thrashers
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Olive Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Crested Caracara
Black-crested Titmouse
Harris’s Hawk
and many more…
Itinerary:
May 1 Arrive in the late afternoon
Lodging and Welcome Dinner
May 2-4 Morning and Afternoon Blind Sessions
Lodging
May 5 Morning and Afternoon Photo Blind Sessions
Lodging and Farewell Dinner
May 6 Photograph local area park before departing for home
Participants:
Minimum of 6 – Maximum 10 with two Professional Photographer Guides
Texas Birds Workshop
May 14-17, 2025
Cost: $2,950 (double occupancy)
4 days, 3 nights
Single supplement fee (to have your own room): $325
South Texas is home to an amazing number of bird species. If you love photographing birds, especially birds in flight, join Ruth Hoyt and Jim Zuckerman for an incredible opportunity to capture olive sparrows, crested caracaras, green jays, great kiskadees, thrashers, black-crested titmouse, flycatchers, Northern cardinals, Harris’s hawk, turkey vultures, and painted buntings. You will be awed by the number of great shots you’ll be able to take. Don’t miss this one!
What you will learn in this workshop:
- What camera settings to use for flying birds
- The best focus point arrangement for bird action
- Panning techniques
- How to mitigate excessive noise in post-processing
- How to replace distracting and less-than-ideal backgrounds
- Choosing the best frame rate for birds in flight
- Pre-planning depth of field when birds are close to you
Itinerary
Day 1, May 14, Wednesday
Fly to McAllen, Texas, and take a taxi to our hotel. Meet Ruth and Jim in the lobby at 6pm for a discussion about the upcoming workshop. Here they will share camera settings for capturing birds in flight, and then we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner. Overnight in Edinburg.
Days 2-4, May 15-17, Thursday through Saturday
For the next three days we have early morning and late afternoon photo sessions on a private ranch, the Laguna Seca Ranch. We take advantage of the best light in mornings and afternoons, and the midday is reserved for lunch, downloading images, and resting. We use natural-looking setups consisting of tree stumps, flowers, and various native plants, and the birds are drawn to these photo locations by strategically placed food. You can photograph birds reflecting in water, birds in flight, perched birds, and often confrontational encounters in which wing formations can be stunning when captured with a fast shutter speed. Overnight in Edinburg.
Day 4, May 17, Saturday
After breakfast we have our final morning session at Laguna Seca Ranch, and then the photography is over. Jim drives participants to the airport. You can make your homeward bound flight reservations from 1pm onward.
A week or so after the workshop, Jim hosts an online critique session where participants can share what they photographed. Jim offers thoughts on the images and makes Photoshop suggestions, if necessary, to make already good pictures better.
Workshop Includes:
- Two dinners
- Five photo sessions on a South Texas private ranch (am & pm)
- Three-night stay in an Edinburg hotel
- Photographic instruction in the field to help you maximize your stay and improve your photographic knowledge
- Water and snacks
- All applicable taxes
Workshop Does Not include:
- Transportation from your home to and from McAllen, TX
- Travel insurance
- Meals except those mentioned
- Items of a persona nature
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Gratuities
Youth Nature Photography Workshops - The Valley Land Fund and Quinta Mazatlan
Cost: $5 Per Student Per Session
The Valley Land Fund and Quinta Mazatlan have partnered to offer youth photo summer workshops. Two sessions are scheduled for five Saturdays during June and July.
The first session runs from 8am – 10am for 8- to 12-year-olds and 10:30 am – 12:30 pm for 13- to 18-year-olds.
Advance registration is required by visiting quintamazatlan.Ticketleap.com. Cost is $5 per student/per session.
These classes are taught by Ruth Hoyt who excels at showing children how to capture the beauty and diversity of Rio Grande Valley nature.
Registration Form
