How To Photograph Birds And butterflies Workshop

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Each summer, I find myself sitting for long periods of time behind a camera, taking pictures of a variety of both birds and butterflies.

If you were to ask me which one is my favorite, I actually couldn’t respond with an answer; I like them both, and each subject offers its own set of challenges as well as its own reward for a job well done.

American white pelican coming in for a landing on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. — *(The American white pelican makes for a great subject to photograph and is often easily seen on the refuge during the summer months.)*

I don’t pride myself on being the world’s greatest photographer, not even close, but I do know a few tips and tricks which can help you take better photographs of both birds and butterflies.

This Saturday, June 8, 2019, the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and I are co-hosting a Beginning Outdoor Photography workshop, the second one of the year we have offered.

This one will focus primarily on birds and butterflies and how to get better images of each.

Painted lady butterfly on a dandelion. — *(Capturing interesting butterfly images, like this one of a painted lady butterfly from my yard this spring, is easy with a little practice and patience.)*

And just like all the previous workshops we have put on, this one is also absolutely free to attend.

It will be held at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge wildlife education center in Brigham City, Utah, starting just after 10:00 am and will cover topics such as composition, lighting, basic gear for bird/butterfly photography, helpful camera settings, and a few suggestions on where to go to take bird and butterfly images.

In addition to photography, the class will also offer some insights on monarch butterflies and their habitat.

We are pleased to have a guest speaker, Rose D. Greer with the Southwest Monarch Study, come and talk about monarch butterflies and their habitat in hopes of educating and encouraging others to help in the fight to save the monarch butterfly from extinction.

Monarch butterfly on a flower. — *(The monarch butterfly offers itself as a great subject for the outdoor photography enthusiast.)*

Monarch butterflies are one of my most sought-after subjects each year, and their numbers have been in a steep decline, but this trend can be reversed, so we are encouraging all to attend to not only learn about how to photograph the monarch but to help save this iconic butterfly from extinction or any further decline.

After the 2-hour photography and butterfly workshop, visitors can take a trip out to the refuge auto tour route to practice some of the methods learned in our workshop or to just go birdwatching.

The bird refuge is full of life now; a great number of birds and some butterflies are on the refuge, so it is a wonderful time to visit and enjoy nature.

The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge auto tour route. — *(After the workshop, the refuge auto tour route offers great bird watching opportunities as well as some great scenery for the avid outdoor enthusiast and photographer.)*

For more information about the refuge, contact the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge at

2155 West Forest Street
Brigham City, Utah 84302
Phone: (435) 723-5887
Fax: (435) 723-8873
Email: bearriver@fws.gov

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Photo Gallery

Rooster pheasant flying on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. — *(Come to the Beginning Outdoor Photography Workshop for birds and butterflies.)*

Cinnamon teal posing on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. — *(The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge is home to a variety of birds which offer a great opportunity to watch and photograph.)*

A marsh wren perched on a reed on the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. — *(Although very plentiful, the small and very active marsh wren offers a challenging opportunity for photography on the refuge.)*

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(For short nature photography tips and interesting stories about the natural world around us, subscribe to our Bear River Blogger channel on YouTube for videos and updates from our travels while out in nature, both on and off of the famed Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.)