Dalmatian Pelicans, Spotted Nutcracker, Golden Eagle and Grey Wolves
This bird photography workshop aims to provide opportunities for photography of Dalmatian Pelicans, Spotted Nutcrackers and Golden Eagles. Over eight days of the bird photography workshop in Bulgaria and Northern Greece, we will visit two main areas: one in the Eastern Rhodopes in Bulgaria and one in Northern Greece.
Itinerary
Dates: 28.01-4.02.2026
We start the trip from Lake Kerkini and its magnificent Dalmatian Pelicans where we will spend two days with these prehistoric looking birds. After that we will head to the Eastern Rhodope mountains in Bulgaria where we aim to photograph Golden Eagle and hopefully Grey Wolves from a hide (blind). The Eagles come to feed in front of our photography hide every day, so we have a very good chance to photograph them.
January and February is the time when Dalmatian Pelicans are in their superb breeding plumage. The birds come very close, so you might want to use a wide-angle or even fish-eye lens for artistic shots. Depending on the water level, we may take a boat and approach the feeding Greater Flamingoes and Pygmy Cormorants, which are also present and can be photographed.
Day 1, (Jan 28th)
Arrival in Sofia, Bulgaria, and transfer to Lake Kerkini. In the morning, we can do a morning session with the Spotted Nutcrackers and then head to the lake. It will take us about 3.5 hours to get to the lake, so plenty of time to stop en route.
Day 2 and 3 (Jan 29-30)
Dalmatian Pelican photography
We shall spend these two days photographing the Dalmatian Pelican from a boat and from the shore of the lake. Our daily routine will include early morning start before dawn so that we are on the lake for sunrise. Some of the best conditions are often in the blue hour. We will spend as much time as you like with the subject and experiment with ideas you may have. I am happy to share mine if you need them. Beginner photographers will be given guidance. Upon the desire of the group, we can try for other species such as the Pygmy Cormorant and the Greater Flamingo, which overwinter on the lake.
Day 4 (Jan 31st)
Today, we can do another early morning session and leave the Pelicans to head to the Eastern Rhodopes in Bulgaria, where we shall focus on birds of prey. En route, we will make a few stops for lunch and visit a lagoon to photograph Greater Flamingoes.
En route to our next destination, we have good opportunities to photograph Little Owls, which often roost on the top of chimneys.
Day 5 and 6 (Febr 1-2)
Eagles and Vultures photography
These two days of the bird photography workshop we shall be sitting in hides, aiming to photograph Golden Eagles at their feeding grounds. Other than them, Griffon Vultures, Golden Jackals and Grey wolf are also casual visitors to the bait. Often, you have several species on the site and there is superb interaction between.
Golden Eagle Photography (c) Iordan Hristov
Day 7 (Feb 3rd)
After breakfast, we make our way back to Sofia, Bulgaria to spend the afternoon with Spotted Nutcrackers.
Day 8 (Feb 4th)
Departure. If time allows, we can do another session with the Nutcrackers.
Level of difficulty: almost no walks or easy ones.
Equipment
We recommend both wide-angle and long lenses of more than 300 mm. Warm clothes are essential for the long hours in the hides.
What to expect
Eagle hide: Distance to the birds is about 20-30m. The hide is very comfortable and heated. Picnic lunch, hot drinks, and snacks are provided during the day. Entry into the hide is early in the morning in the dark hours and leave is late in the afternoon at dark hours. The best focal length is 400 mm on a full frame but any lens from 300 to 600 is suitable.
Dalmatian Pelicans: best focal length is 70-200 mm but also wide-angle lenses are advised (16-35 mm). Long lenses are also usable from the shore.
Spotted Nutcracker: best focal length is 70-200. for flight action.
Group size: 5 people max,
Price:
- 2300 EUR pp
Single room supplement – 180 EUR
What is included:
- Ground transport;
- Guiding;
- Full board accommodation with breakfast, occasional picnic lunch and dinner;
- 2 boat trips;
- use of Golden Eagle hide for 2 days.
What is not included:
- Flights;
- Insurance;
- Alcohol;
- Items of personal nature.
If interested, please fill up the contacts form or write directly to biomonitoring [.] ltd [@] gmail . com
Gallery:
Here is a video made by a close friend and great photographer Luka Esenko:
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This tour is organised by Esenko Workshops.
Esenko Workshops is a trusted brand of Židana Marela d.o.o.
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