FALKLAND ISLANDS

Hone your photographic skills with the guidance of professional nature and wildlife photographer Mark Lissick as you spend two weeks with a small group of fellow photographers in one of the world's ultimate wildlife locations.

    The treeless subarctic islands in the south Atlantic are reminiscent of the Scottish landscape and are blessed with a mild summer climate and surrounded by some of the richest waters in the sea. The combination of mild summers and an abundant food source have made the Falklands host to millions of penguins, albatross, sea birds, seals and seal lions that breed in dense colonies.

    The Falklands are what the Galapagos Islands were decades ago but with a greater abundance of wildlife - a small number of visitors that could walk anywhere without regulation. Today, the Falklands get only about 700 land-based visitors a year. Having so few visitors has two advantages when it comes to photographing the native wildlife. The first is that wildlife has no fear of humans. Many of the birds can be approached to within a few feet. If you sit quietly many of them will come over to investigate you! On last year's trip, I had to gently discourage a curious Rock-Hopper who wanted to keep looking into my lens. (Regurgitated lobster krill on the lens just doesn't seem to cut it with photo editors these days.) The second advantage is that we will probably have most places (read whole island) to ourselves, giving us freedom to explore and achieve great images.

   The four species of penguins are the islands’ star attraction supported by an abundance of bird life that includes skuas, geese, petrels, grebes, ducks and gulls. The islands are also the calving grounds for both the Southern seal lion and the more abundant Southern Elephant seal, the males of which can grow to 18 feet and weigh 3-4 tons. Orcas (killer whales) are the main predator of seals and sea lions and can be seen patrolling the off-shore waters. We will be visiting four of the best locals for wildlife photography: Saunders, Pebble and Sea Lion Islands and the King penguin colony at Volunteer Point.

   Imagine photographing gentoo, Magellanic and rockhopper penguin colonies from sunrise to sunset ... or near a major elephant seal colony as bulls fight for domination. How about experiencing a colony of 24,000 black-browed albatrosses at point-blank camera range. The trip is scheduled to coincide with the peak of nesting and breeding season as virtually every species will either be on eggs or feeding young. In addition to East Falkland Island, we will stay at three of the best islands for wildlife photography - Sea Lion, Carcass and Saunders. They are all know for their abundant and easily accessible wildlife.

    As most of the best wildlife is found on the more remote islands, we will island hop on STOL planes run by the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS). Visitor accommodations on the outer islands consist of small lodges, hotels and cottages that are modern and comfortable.

This is a bird and wildlife photographers paradise and an opportunity not to be missed.

    The expeditions starts in Stanley, the capitol of the Falkland Islands. While there is a large king penguin colony at Volunteer Point near Stanley, most of the wildlife is found on the more remote islands. Locations will be reached via inter-island air transportation, Land Rovers and short hikes. Accommodations on the outer islands consists of small lodges, hotels or cottages that are modest but comfortable.

    As with all Mark's expeditions, field work is emphasized. The expedition is based upon the use of 35mm SLR photography (digital- or film-based) though other camera formats are welcome. Due to the remote location, those shooting film will not have E-6 processing will not be available. However, every day is spent in the field to provide opportunities to work on your wildlife and landscape photography skills. Plenty of one-on-one time with Mark is built in so that he can provide on-the-spot guidance via interpretive questions and personal experience as you work on your photography.

   The Falkland Islands are still relatively undeveloped as a tourist destination, making them one of the most exciting locations for wildlife photography left in the world. If you combine the abundance, quality and accessibility of wildlife with stunning landscapes, a friendly local population and no crime, you will appreciate what an unforgettable experience awaits for you in the Falklands.

The expedition is limited to 5 participants. This will provide us with great flexibility while providing you with plenty of time with Mark for professional assistance to improve your photographic skills. Small groups and professional guidance will mean that you return with great memories and professional quality images.

RESERVATION INFORMATION:                       ON-LINE REGISTRATION

Workshop costs Include: All inter-island air transportation from Stanley, Land Rover trips, lodging, and all meals. Driver/guide and ground transportation service; lodging and meals as indicated: applicable entrance fees; taxes and service charges.

Not Included: Meals and activities not indicated on itinerary; travel/baggage/accident/cancellation insurance; over limit baggage fees; gratuities; personal use items such as phone, laundry, etc.; film costs.

Airfares: Air fare costs for flights from participants home city to Stanley are not included. Participant is responsible for making their own arrangements to arrive in Stanley for the start of the expedition.

Reservations: Due to the popularity of this trip, making an early reservation is recommended. You can reserve a place by either registering on-line or calling Wildlight Photography - (612) 804-7377 during the weekday office hours of 9:00 am-4:30 pm CST.

  A deposit of $500.00 is required at the time of registration with the balance due in full one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the start of the trip. VISA, MasterCard and Discover can be used or you can pay by check or money order made payable to "Mark Lissick/Wildlight Nature Photography".

Reservations: Due to the popularity of this trip, making an early reservation is recommended. You can reserve a place by either registering on-line or by calling Wildlight Photography at (612) 804-7377 during the weekday office hours of 9:00 am-4:30 pm CST. We accept credit cards, or we will hold your reservation for seven days, while awaiting your personal check or money order. Make checks payable to "Mark Lissick/Wildlight Nature Photography". Payments can be mailed to Mark Lissick/Wildlight Nature Photography, 4501 Oak Drive, Edina, Minnesota 55424.

For international residents: Please contact Wildlight Nature Photography to discuss payment arrangements.

Cancellation Policy: If you cancel 120 days or more prior to departure, a refund less a cancellation fee of 50% of your initial deposit will be made. Per person charges for cancellations received 120 days or less from the trip start date are as follows: 120-101 days - 35% of trip cost; 100-81 days - 50% of trip cost; 80-61 days - 65% of trip cost; 60 or fewer days prior to departure - 100% of trip cost. We recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance as this policy is strongly adhered to. Note: In addition of cancellation fees, deposits required to guarantee hotel rooms or local air transportation may be nonrefundable. The purchase of travel insurance covering baggage, accident/life and trip cancellation is highly recommended. Wildlight Nature Photography reserves the right to cancel any group due to insufficient registration. In the even of such cancellation, those with reservations shall be notified as soon as possible and a full refund of trip payment will be given. Wildlight Nature Photography is not responsible for  additional expenses incurred in preparation for a trip.

    Payment of deposit represents an acceptance of the following terms and conditions:  Wildlight Nature Photography, its affiliates and all cooperating airlines and agencies act only in the capacity of agents in all matter of transportation and tour operation, and their liability is limited to the terms of the airline tickets, boat, and land accommodation contracts. They are not responsible for any delays, inconveniences, accidents, expense or mishap of any kind whatsoever resulting entirely, or in part, from the negligence of others or from causes beyond their control. They can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, riot, war, quarantine or other causes. All such losses or expenses must be born by the participants as program rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. The right is reserved to substitute hotels of similar category for those indicated and to make any changes in the itinerary where deemed necessary or caused by changes in air schedules, weather or naturally occurring geological events. Baggage is at owner's risk entirely. No refund can be made for unused hotel rooms, meals, sightseeing trips or tours unless arrangements are made at the time of booking. The right is reserved to decline to accept or to retain any person as a program member for any reason which affects the operation of the program or the rights, welfare, or enjoyment of the other program members, and refund or the recoverable land program services is the limit of the liability of Wildlight Nature Photography and its affiliates.