Wildlife Photography Tour - Bhigwan

Bhigwan is a small town around 100 kms away from Pune and is also referred to as the “Bharatpur of Maharashtra”, as it becomes a hotbed of migratory birds during the winter. Bhigwan is at one end of the huge Yashwant Sagar reservoir, forming the backwaters of the Ujjani dam. One of the main attractions during the migratory season is the arrival of the Greater Flamingos. During the months of January and February, this place is thronged by bird lovers from all over Maharashtra. A large number of migratory water birds are seen in this area.

Bhigwan Bird Sanctuary is absolute heaven for Bird Photographers. The entire area is filled with Ducks, Herons, Egrets, Raptors, Painted Storks, Bar-headed geese, Demoiselle Cranes, Waders and Greater Flamingos.

The flamingos can be reached through the boat ride because as they are shy they tend to be away from crowded or humanized areas.

Highlights:

Professional local guided tour

2 x Safari on Private Boat

1 x Safari on Private Jeep/Traveller

On field learning from the experts

Image editing session

Review of captured images and group discussion

Travel Plan: Any Location - Bhigwan - Any Location

*All level Photographers are invited from any location in India.

Schedule duration: 2 Days & 1 Night 

Stay at homestay: This stay would be twin sharing basis in at Agnipankha homestay nearby Bhigwan Birds Sanctuary.

Extra INR 600 for stay in single tent house.

Package Cost: Rs.8500/- per person

Standard Ticket: Rs.5000/- per person

*PACKAGE COST IS DIFFERENT FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS. CONTACT FOR MORE DETAILS.

REGISTRATION OPEN UNTIL 22ND JANUARY 2024!!!

Note: We will setup WhatsApp group 1 week before event date for group communication during tour.

Advanced Booking:

You can register paying 50% amount now (not refundable), balance to be paid 1 month before the workshop start date. You can pay GPay or Direct bank transfer. https://www.sumitphotoworld.com/payment

Package Cost includes:

Accommodation for 01 night at homestay non-AC rooms

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, tea/coffee, snacks in morning and evening

2 x Boat ride charges

1 x Safari Private Jeep charges

Local Guide charges

Hands-on assignment and mentoring fees

Participation Certificate

Profile Photo Shoot session with 5 looks

All taxes and including service charges

Standard Ticket Cost includes:

2 x Boat ride charges

1 x Safari Private Jeep charges

Local Guide charges

Hands-on assignment and mentoring fees

Participation Certificate

Profile Photo Shoot session with 5 looks

All taxes and including service charges

Package Cost does not include:

Travel from any location to Bhigwan

Travel from Bhigwan to any location

Any extra meal/food charges during tour

Personal expenses of any kind

Medical expenses – if incurred during the excursion

Any other charges not mentioned in “Cost Includes” list

Early Booking Offer: First 3 registrations will get 1 month free subscription for Stellar Photo Recovery Software – Premium (https://www.stellarinfo.co.in/software/photo-recovery.php)

How To Reach:

FLIGHT: Nearest airport is Pune. We can pick you on our way via Solapur highway. It is around 105 km from Pune.

TRAIN: You can reach Daund and hire a local taxi to Bhigwan.

ROADWAYS: We will be travelling in a private vehivle via Solapur highway. It is around 105 km from Pune.

After reaching Bhigwan coordinate with the team for pickup.

Itinerary:

Day-1:

We expect to reach Bhigwan by 11:00AM and will have breakfast on the way. We will get freshen up and have lunch at hotel/homestay, we will go for the 1st boat ride at 3:00pm and continue till 6:00pm to have excellent opportunities to photograph the amazing avifauna (habitat) of Bhigwan from close distance. We will be back to hotel/homestay in evening and have evening tea/coffee with group discussion to review our work and also discuss plan for next day sessions.

Day-2:

Next day we will arrive early to Kumbhargaon for 2nd boat ride at 7:00am and continue till 10:00am to capture incredible moments of birds in misty morning environment. We will come back to the hotel for breakfast. Take some rest and spend couple of hours for learning image editing workflow for wildlife photography. After lunch we will be going for a Photowalk in Grassland area filled with Ducks, Herons, Egrets, Raptors, Painted Storks, Bar-headed geese, Demoiselle Cranes, Waders and many more. Return journey will start from Bhigwan at 5:00pm and we will reach Pune by 8:00pm.

Things to carry:

Telephoto lenses – preferably above 400 mm for birds

Carry fully charged batteries for your camera

Carry battery charger. Carry extra pack of camera batteries

Carry backup memory cards/HDD storage drives, Laptop

Carry a bean bag to stabilize your gears while shooting from boat

It is advisable to carry basic first aid kit along with you

Please carry Odomos to keep you protected from mosquito bites

Carry a pair of good binoculars

Learnings from this tour:

On field learning from the experts is the best methods of improving your skillsets. I will hand hold you at every possible step for a better understanding of perspectives, camera controls and how to make use of the best opportunities to get best possible images.

The training will focus on the following:

How to approach Wildlife in the field

Working with different modes of shooting (Av/A, Tv/S, M and P)

Exposure control in difficult light conditions

Metering techniques (matrix/evaluative, Spot, partial, center weighted)

Mastering auto-focus, focusing points, locking AF and focus tracking for moving subjects

How to get sharp images of moving subjects

Framing and composition in the field

Ethics in Wildlife Photography

Please keep in mind that sighting of a bird or a good photography opportunity to capture it in an ideal frame is a matter of luck. Though the possibility of sighting is high but it can never be guaranteed in the wildlife.

CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY:

All cancellations before 30 days of the event date - 100% refund

All cancellations between 20 - 30 days of the event date - 50% refund

All cancellations within 20 days of the event date - No refund possible

Organized by: SPW Expedition

Mentor: Sumit Dhuper (Professional Photographer)

Website: https://www.sumitphotoworld.com

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