Prairie Wings: A Bird Photography Escape

Kinbrook Island Provincial Park

Many Albertans have never discovered this hidden gem.  I did  last year while shooting a graduation shoot there.  As we were driving through it I couldn’t believe my eyes.. Pelicans and birds of every color/shape/size.  I felt like i was in the Florida Everglades and not in Alberta!

Located beside Lake Newell just south of Brooks, Kinbrook Island sits within one of Southern Alberta’s most important birding areas. The wetlands, marshes, islands, and prairie habitat attract approximately 270 bird species throughout the year. The area is recognized as an important migration and nesting location for many waterbirds and shorebirds.

The combination of open water, marshes, grasslands, and prairie skies creates outstanding opportunities for bird photography, especially during the golden hours.  This 3 day / 2 night escape includes accomodation at the Days Inn Wyndham in Brooks AB, breakfast and an introduction session with a local birding guide.  Maxing this out to 6 participants so grab your spot before they are gone!

Here is how it will shake out:

Friday

3:00 PM – Arrival & Check-in

5:00 PM – Welcome Session

• Bird photography techniques
• Camera setup workshop
• Exposure strategies for white birds
• Autofocus settings for birds in flight
• Introductory Session with Local Bird Guide

7:00 PM – Sunset Shoot

Kinbrook Marsh Trail

Targets:

• Pelicans
• Herons
• Blackbirds
• Grebes

9:00 PM – Group Dinner

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Saturday

5:15 AM – Sunrise Shoot

Morning light over Lake Newell.

Focus:

• Birds in flight
• Reflections
• Behaviour photography
• Silhouettes

9:00 AM – Breakfast

10:00 AM – Classroom Session

Topics:

• Bird composition
• Storytelling through wildlife photography
• Sharpening techniques
• Lightroom workflow

Noon – Lunch & Rest

2:00 PM – Prairie Safari

Short drive exploring surrounding prairie roads.

Targets:

• Ferruginous Hawks
• Long-billed Curlews
• Burrowing Owls (if active)
• Songbirds

6:30 PM – Golden Hour Shoot

Pelican and waterbird photography.

9:00 PM – Image Review

Participants share 3 favourite images.

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Sunday

5:15 AM – Final Sunrise Session

Challenge:
Capture a “portfolio-worthy” bird image.

9:00 AM – Breakfast

10:00 AM – Editing Session

Learn:

• Noise reduction
• Cropping for impact
• Bird eye enhancement
• Portfolio preparation

Noon – Participant Showcase

Each photographer presents:

• Best Flight Image
• Best Portrait
• Best Environmental Image

1:00 PM – Farewell / Open Shoot Opportunity