by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Jan 22, 2025
Chincoteague NWR Photo Workshop Fall 2025
With Irene Hinke-Sacilotto
14 – 16 November 2025
Price: $ 735
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is located on the southern Virginia end of the barrier island of Assateague. The refuge attracts large numbers of waterfowl, herons, ibis, ospreys, shorebirds, warblers, and other migrants. It is also the home to wild horses, deer, raccoon, fox squirrels, and other animals. Used to being protected, the wildlife is unusually tolerant of humans and presents visitors with great photo opportunities. The ocean, dunes, shells, harbor, and spectacular sunrises and sunsets offer workshop participants a variety of subjects with which to work. The program includes tips on locating and approaching wildlife, capturing in-flight shots of birds, equipment selection, composition, lighting, and exposure.
Last year participants had the opportunity to photograph brant, godwits, Dunlin and other shorebirds plus wild horses feeding on the shoreline. The pontoon boat offers a very stable platform for photography.
Special feature – Saturday afternoon pontoon boat trip along Assateague’s/Chincoteague’s shoreline with the hope of photographing wild horses, wading birds, porpoise and other wildlife. Last year participants had the opportunity to photograph brant, godwits, dunlin and other shorebirds plus wild horses feeding on the shoreline. The pontoon boat design to navigate in shallow waters and typically offers a relatively stable platform for photography. Note: For safety reasons, the trip is weather dependent.
Because of the small class size (8), this Chincoteague Photo Workshop is the perfect blend of one-on-one assistance in the field, an instructional PowerPoint presentation, and image critiques.
Class participant photographing sunrise.
Photographed from the beach at sunrise
Friday
7:00 PM-8:15 PM (orientation)
Dawn – 9:30 AM (photography @ Chincoteague, Assateague Island, and surroundings)
9:30 AM – 11:30 PM (image editing and lunch break)
11:30 – 1:00 PM (discussion/critique of workshop images)
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Boat trip followed by the exploring the Wildlife Loop & sunset.
Sunday
Sunrise to 10:00 AM (photography @ Chincoteague, Assateague Island, and surroundings)
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (image editing and lunch break)
12:00 – 2:00 PM (discussion/critique of workshop images)
Orientation, meetings, & critiques will be held at the Hilton Spark Motel (Previously the Best Western), Chincoteague Island, VA.)
Sunrise over Black Duck Marsh.
Great Blue Heron feeding on shoreline of marsh
Description:
This Chincoteague Photo Workshop is designed for those with a basic knowledge of the operation of a 35 mm SLR digital or mirrorless camera with an interest in nature photography. Workshop emphasis is on improving photographic skills and optimize the use of your camera. Class includes an orientation PowerPoint program followed by photography sessions on Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Assateague Island, and in the town of Chincoteague. Included is a critique/review of images from the weekend. Topics covered: 1) equipment selection and operation, 2) composition, creativity and perspective, 3) metering and exposure, 4) lighting, 5) basic image manipulation and 6) locating, approaching and photographing wildlife.
White Ibis feeding at sunset.
Based on my findings from scouting the area prior to the workshop, the following will be discussed at the orientation meeting on Friday evening: departure times, destinations, current field conditions, potential subjects, equipment needed, safety, field ethics, and other logistical details including ride sharing. Prior to dawn on Saturday, we will depart for the wildlife refuge to photograph sunrise and take advantage of the soft, warm early morning light. Because wildlife is protected on the refuge, animals are abundant and unusually tolerant of humans to the pleasure of most photographers. Situated on the Atlantic Flyway, Chincoteague is a resting and refueling spot for migrating birds. Potential photo subjects include sand dunes, shells, ocean wave, fishing boats, fisherman, the lighthouse, and wildlife including sika elk and whitetail deer, fox, otters, raccoons, ponies, herons, rails, geese, ducks, shorebirds, hawks, and other resident and migratory species.
Bald Eagle flying overhead..
The orientation and discussion sessions for the Chincoteague Photo Workshop in November 2025 will be held at the Hilton Sparks Motel (previously the Best Western) in Chincoteague on Maddox Blvd just outside of the wildlife refuge. Contact the hotel for availability of rooms at (800) 553-6117 or (757) 336-6557. Mention you are part of the photo workshop led by Irene Hinke-Sacilotto and a discount rate may be available. Also, accommodatons can be found at other nearby hotels in the town of Chincoteague. For a listing of accommodations, go to www.chincoteaguechamber.com
White Ibis silhouettes @ sunset.
Cost/Person: $ 735
Deposit: 50% of the cost of the workshop. Final payment is due 30 days before start of photo workshop.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. Complete the form and send it with your check. Mail to Irene Sacilotto, 542 C Riviera Dr, Joppa, MD 21085. Payment can also be transferred by Zelle. Credit cards (Visa & Master Cards) are accepted but incur a 2 % admin fee.
NOTE: The pontoon boat trip included in price of workshop. Students are responsible for their own accommodations, food, transportation, and park/refuge fees. Although transportation during the workshop is not be included in the price, ride sharing will be encouraged. The number of participants is limited to 8. Note: My attention is focused on participants so I do not photograph during the workshop.
Orientation, meetings, & critiques will be held at the Hilton Sparks, Chincoteague Island, VA.
Wild Horse splashing water as it walked towards the shoreline.
Cancellation Policy
Notifications of cancellation must be in writing.
The following charges apply per person at the time I receive your written notification of cancellation:
- Cancel up to 121 days prior to the start of the workshop – full refund.
- 120 to 61 days prior to the start of the workshop, a $35 administrative fee is charged.
- 60 to 46 days prior to the start of the workshop, 50% of workshop cost is charged.
- 45 days or less prior to the start of the workshop – NO REFUND
Medical circumstances or emergencies do not constitute grounds for exception to the cancellation policy nor does weather. Therefore, trip cancellation, interruption & medical insurance is HIGHLY recommended. Travelers Insurance Company and others provide such policies at a reasonable rate. In the unlikely event that the trip is canceled due to insufficient enrollment, your money will be refunded in full, with the exception of expenses you personally incurred while preparing for the trip.
Great Blue Heron fishing just after sunrise.
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Nov 12, 2021
Assateague Island National Seashore
Fall Photo Workshop
Led by Irene Hinke-Sacilotto and sponsored by the Assateague Island Alliance.
Fall Program: Oct 27 – Oct 29 2023
Twisted tree at sunrise
This Assateague Island National Seashore Photo Workshop is designed for those with a basic knowledge of the operation of a 35 mm SLR digital camera an interest in nature photography and who desire to improve their photographic skills and optimize the use of their camera. Program includes field sessions on Assateague Island, instructive slide programs, and critiques of participant images. Topics discussed include 1) equipment selection and operation, 2) composition, creativity and perspective, 3) metering and exposure, 4) lighting, 5) digital media and image storage, 6) basic image manipulation and 7) locating, approaching and photographing wildlife.
Sanderling landing.
Snow fence with ripples in the sand at an early hour. Assateague Isand National Seashore
During the Friday evening orientation, departure times, current field conditions, potential subjects, equipment needed, safety, field ethics, and other logistical topics will be discussed. Prior to dawn on Saturday, the class participants will depart for the beach to photograph sunrise and take advantage of the soft, warm early morning light. Potential subjects include the sunrise, sand dunes, shells, the surf, beach vegetation, fisherman, the wild horses of Assateague Island, and local wildlife including whitetail deer, fox, raccoons, herons, rails, geese, ducks, shorebirds and other resident and migratory species. Mid-day will be set aside for editing images, followed by a critique of photos taken during the morning. The remainder of the afternoon will be devoted to more photography of island inhabitants, the beach and sunset. Sunday, photography will begin at dawn and continue through the morning. Mid-day editing will be followed by a final critique of images. The number of participants is limited to 12.
Wild horses on Assateague Island interacting.
SCHEDULE (2024):
Friday
Orientation (7:00 PM-8:30 PM)
Saturday
Sunrise –9:30 AM (photography)
9:30 AM – 1:00 PM (edit images, lunch)
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (critique of images)
3:00 PM – Sunset (photography)
Sunday
Sunrise – 9:30 AM (photography)
Mid-Day (lunch & prep images for review)
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM (critique)
Cedar Waxwing feeding on berry on Assateague Island
Notes:
Timing of excursions will be adjusted as needed based on the weather, subject availability, and desires of the class participants. Orientation, lectures and critiques will be held in the Assateague Island’s Visitor Center.
A pre-class assignment will be provided via e-mail along with guidance for submitting images for Friday night’s orientation.
Assumes a basic knowledge of your D-SLR digital camera and familiarization with basic terms such as F-stop, ISO, & exposure plus the ability to perform minor edits on images and download your image files to e-mail or a thumb drive for the critique sessions. A laptop computer or tablet is required for image editing and transfer.
For those from out of state requiring overnight accommodations, rooms are available in Salisbury, West Ocean City, & Berlin, MD. (Approximately half hour or less travel time).
If COVID 19 continues to be an issue, special health precautions may apply such as mask wearing, social distancing, etc.
Price: $ 375
Register early since this workshop fills rapidly.
On the beach I found some goldenrod scattered along the dues. Knowing this was a plant the monarchs favored, I searched for flowering plants along the beach.
White-tailed Deer eating leaves.
To register contact: The Assateague Island Alliance.
Click on the following link to register:
https://assateagueislandalliance.org/collections/artist-workshops/products/assateague-nature-photography-fall-2023-workshop
Email: info@assateagueislandalliance.org
Phone: 410 629-6095/443 614-3547
Bald Eagle in pine.
Double-crested Cormorant swimming partially submerged.
Fawn in fall color
Cancellation Policy:
For cancellations made within 30 days of the start date, no refunds will be given. If AIA cancels the workshop participants will receive a full refund.
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Oct 7, 2020 | MD, Nature Photography, Photo instruction, Photo Technique, Photo Workshops, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography
My COVID 19 Quarantine Survival Story
With the emergence of the COVID 19 virus and the “Stay at Home Order”, like many people, I temporarily panicked. How long would the virus be an issue, two weeks, a month? I could deal that. But a year or more, I had no concept how I would emotionally and financially survive. Almost all my in-person speaking in engagements and photo workshops scheduled for the spring and summer had to be cancelled. Even my fall programs are in question.
Cardinal in spring
Carolina Wren photographed in local park attracted by feeder.
But I could not change conditions and was not financially destitute like many people, so I started to look for ways to turn this situation into a positive opportunity. I had plenty work to do on the computer—organizing and editing images, updating presentations, prepare advertising, producing a newsletter, etc. But I needed to be outside photographing at least part of the time. With no backyard where I could photograph, I decided to look for photo opportunities in my neighborhood. I checked out a number of trails and parks searching for non-crowded places with urban wildlife. Although some areas had limited possibilities, I did discover two gems.
Red-bellied Woodpecker landing on tree trunk.
Male Red-Bellied Woodpecker spotted when I heard it.
Initial Project:
At one park there was an osprey nest where I spent some time and I got the image above. Another park, five minutes from home, offered a number of opportunities to photograph squirrels, groundhogs, ospreys and an assortment of other birds. I created a feeder station in an open field near a line of shrubs. I baited the scene with birdseed, peanuts, suet and peanut butter. I added small evergreen branches and blooms from nearby trees for a natural looking environment. Squirrels and a variety of birds such as cardinals, wrens, sparrows, and grackles visited the site. Unfortunately, my setup disappeared when park maintenance workers unexpectedly cut the grass in the field. In addition, when the “Stay at Home Order” was issued, the park became a popular place to exercise. Many visitors came with huge bags of peanuts and bird seed which they liberally spread along the trails, attracting the resident squirrels for entertainment. With food everywhere, nothing came to my feeders. So, I had to find another location for photography.
Osprey with fish often head before seen.
Nuthatch on branch in park.
2nd Project
Elsewhere in the park, I located a large old tree stump. It was adjacent to a path and as people passed by, they tossed peanuts and seeds on it attracting squirrels and also a variety of birds –chickadees, titmice, wrens, doves, blue jays, nuthatches, and red-bellied woodpeckers. To the scene, I added perches for the birds and some extra bird seed. I set up my tripod and camera just off of the path and was able to photograph a number of bird species. But more people kept coming to the park, making photography here more difficult.
Young Gray Squirrels in tree cavity.
3rd Project
While I was taking my daily walk for exercise, I discovered a tree cavity that was home to a family of young gray squirrels. I placed my tripod just off the path and for several days photograph the activity at the hole until the young squirrels outgrew their living quarters and left.
Young Gray Squirrel in tree cavity stretching.
Young Gray Squirrels in cavity.
4th & Continuing Project
During the spring, I had reconnected with old friends. One living nearby owed several acres of land with an open field, a vegetable and flower garden, and woods. She is an animal lover and already had bird feeders at two locations in her yard. Better yet, on occasions, she saw foxes, groundhogs, and racoons from her porch. She was kind enough to allow me to photograph at her home and set up a blind. She loved seeing the resulting images. The experiences photographing at her house during June and July, and August will be covered in my next newsletter.
Pair of Black-capped Chickadees
