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Bird Photography Tour: Slovenia

Photographing Water Birds at Eye-level

Utilise Unique Floating Hides to Photography Water Birds


8 days | 10th August 2024 – 17th August 2025

Slovenia is located in the heart of Europe and right at the crossroads where the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Karst Plateau and the Pannonian Plain meet. As a result, the country has a remarkable diversity of natural landscapes and some of the most varied nature in Europe. Although the country may be considered small with its 20,000 km2, it is home to a great variety of animals. In addition to large predators such as the brown bear, lynx, wolf and golden jackal, more than 380 bird species have been recorded. This trip takes you to the north-east of Slovenia, to the wetlands of the Drava River and lagoons near Lake Ormoz. Here we find an unprecedented number of common, rare and endangered water birds.

Do you want to capture water birds at the waterline and control the light and position of the sun? Then join Nature Talks who organise this photo tour with floating hides in the special and incredibly beautiful Slovenia.

Woudaap tussen riet - Fotoreis Slovenië - watervogels fotograferen op de waterlijn

Water birds in their natural environment

The young birds that were born this year are becoming more and more independent and are now going out to find food for themselves. In August, the shallow waters are overgrown with water plants, pumpkin leaves and flowering water lilies. In addition, there is plenty of food for the birds here. The nice thing is that the pumpkin leaves are used by the smaller birds as a resting place, as a lookout point to score a tasty snack or to move across the water with, which provides a lot of photographic opportunities. The lush vegetation also provides a fantastic foreground and background. The very special thing about this trip is that we create the opportunity to take photos from the most beautiful perspective: right above the waterline.

Total control of your location and the direction of the light

In order to be able to take pictures just above the water’s surface, we use floating hides. You mount your camera on the floating hide with your own tripod head and it is safely secured. You yourself stand in the water with waders, support yourself on the floating hut with your arms and steer it with your upper body. This way you can move slowly and invisibly through the water and very carefully approach the subjects you want to photograph. But to be clear, the floating hide is not a boat on which you can sit. The great thing is that you can use the floating hide to find places from where you’d like to take pictures and thus have the opportunity to choose the optimal composition and direction of light. Just some of the the birds that you can encounter on the water are: the lesser spotted crake and moorhen, woodcock, purple heron, egret, night heron, squacco heron, grey heron, kingfisher, pygmy cormorant, ferruginous duck and various species of grebe. Due to the natural environment and the unique position, they provide wonderful photo opportunities.

fotografie drijf schuilhut op het water - Fotoreis Slovenië - watervogels fotograferen op de waterlijn

No experience? No problem!

Before you enter the water for the first time, you will receive extensive instructions and will be helped to be comfortable in the water for as long as you need. A neoprene wader will be provided. Although the water is not cold, we will stay in the water for 4 to 5 hours per session. We have a total of 6 full days in the floating hides.

Plenty of other photographic opportunities

In addition to photographing from floating hides, there are many other possibilities for taking photographs. For example, there are permanent photo hides in the woods. But it is also possible that a special bird is spotted somewhere and a hide is set up from which photographs can be taken. The local guides are masters in locating special birds such as pygmy owl, various types of woodpeckers, goldcrest, black tit, grey shrike, bee-eater, hoopoe, etc. The guides are available to you all day long and can be reached by telephone at all times.

Witoogeend 1 - Fotoreis Slovenië - watervogels fotograferen op de waterlijn

Meet your photography guide

Marc Humprey Tour Guide Nature Talks 200
Marc Humphrey is a professional wildlife photographer from the UK. His passion for nature and photography led him to leave the corporate world in 2021 to pursue his dream career. As an experienced wildlife photographer, he leads photography trips and workshops, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow photographers and providing them with the expertise to get the most from their photography.

 

 

What do we offer you?

  • Six full days in floating hides.
  • Unique opportunity to photograph water birds such as the lesser spotted crake, woodcock, purple heron, night heron, squacco heron, various grebe species from a unique perspective: the waterline.
  • Lots of young birds that are just starting to become independent.
  • We mainly photograph during the beautiful light in the early morning and in the afternoon to evening.
  • Guidance by a professional photographer and a number of local photo experts and guides.
  • Inflatable floating hide and neoprene waders are provided.
  • Overwhelming nature in the wetlands of northeastern Slovenia.
  • Discussion of photo results so that you can continue with tips and new ideas.
  • In addition to photographing from floating hides, there is also the possibility to take photos from permanent photo hides or to go in search of, for example, a kingfisher or pygmy owl with a ranger.
  • Participant meeting prior to the trip.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Spending a whole week for floating hide photography in an overwhelmingly beautiful natural habitat among wild birds is a dream of yours.
  • You don’t mind spending a few hours in the water.
  • You don’t have to be an experienced photographer. You will get plenty of opportunities to take your photography to the next level. In addition, our accompanying photographer and local experts are ready to provide support. It is useful to have some knowledge of the behavior of the birds you want to photograph.
  • It is no problem if you have no experience with floating hide photography. We will support you on all fronts until you feel comfortable in your hide.
  • For the advanced photographer, we guarantee that you will enjoy all the photography opportunities that this trip offers.
  • You enjoy photographing in a group of like-minded people.
  • The booking is based on a shared double room, but you can also book a single room for an additional fee.

 

The program

You can go into the water with a floating hide twice a day: in the early morning and in the afternoon until sunset. There are also countless other opportunities to photograph birds in between. The water-rich environment offers a home to various birds including grebes, ducks and terns, while various majestic heron species and waders along the banks.

During your stay in the floating hides you will enjoy an undisturbed perspective of the birds and their natural habitat. Thanks to the strategic locations of the hides you can observe the animals in their natural behaviour, allowing you the opportunity to take stunning photos.

Example of the daily schedule

Before you enter the water with a floating hut and photo equipment, you will first receive extensive instruction. You will be provided with a floating hut and a neoprene wader, you only need to screw your own tripod or swing head onto the floating hut. The guides will help you into the water and will only let you go when you are completely comfortable and feel confident enough to continue on your own.

The daily schedule during this trip is variable and can therefore be partly filled in according to wishes and possibilities.

Morning
For an early floating hide session we are taken by van before sunrise (around 4 or 5 am) to a location where we launch the hides. You then photograph until around 9 am, after which the light becomes too harsh to take nice pictures. After the early photo session we go back to our hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast and in the afternoon
During the day the light is too bright to take pictures on the water. But there are many other possibilities to take pictures. For example, there are permanent hides in the woods. But it is also possible that a special bird is spotted somewhere and that a hide is set up here from which to take pictures. The guides are masters in locating special birds such as pygmy owl, various types of woodpeckers, goldcrest, black tit, grey shrike, bee-eater, hoopoe, etc. The guides are available to you all day and can be reached by telephone at all times. Lunch is around 12:00 in the hotel. But it is also possible to go out and stay and get a packed lunch.

Evening
In the afternoon the light becomes more beautiful and we go back on the water to take pictures from the floating hides. We do this until about sunset.
If you don’t want to go into the water, there are all kinds of other possibilities to take pictures, as described above. Around 9:00 PM we have a delicious local dinner.

This trip can be booked from £2949.

Single room supplement: £240.

1 person – in a shared double room:
If you book this room, you will share your room with another person of the same sex. This room has separate beds. If you book this room and there is no one else of the same sex who wants to share a room, you will pay the supplement that applies to a “1 person – 1 person room” for this trip.

2 people – 2 person room:
Booking a 2 person room is ideal for couples and two friends who go on a photography trip together. When booking, please indicate in the comments field whether you want a double bed or two single beds.

1 person – 1 person room:
With this room, only you will use the room. There is a supplement for using a 1 person room. It is also possible that you are using a 2 or 3 person room on your own. In both situations the same amount applies as a supplement for single use of the room.

What’s included:

  • All overnight stays based on shared rooms in a hotel;
  • Half board;
  • Transfer to and from the airport;
  • Use of all kinds of floating hides;
  • Use of all kinds of photo hides;
  • Use of waders;
  • All boat trips;
  • Excursions and entrance to parks
  • Guidance by local photographers and guides;
  • Local transport;
  • Guidance by a top wildlife photographer;
  • Participants’ meeting;
  • Photo discussions on location.

 

What is not included:

  • Alcoholic and soft drinks;
  • Purchases of a personal nature;
  • Travel and cancellation insurance;
  • if applicable: surcharge of £240, for a single room;

 

 

 

 

Practical information

Participants meeting

A participants meeting will be organised prior to the photo tour. There we can get to know each other and discuss what the expectations are for each other. Furthermore, this is an opportunity to discuss all matters that are essential for the success of this photo tour and to ask all your questions to The trip management.

Transport en vluchten

All local transfers are included in the trip.

 Required equipment and materials

Because we are photographing from the water, we strongly advise you to take out good camera insurance. Everything will be done to ensure your camera is safe and sound, but please take out insurance in case of any accidents.

  • 2 camera bodies are strongly recommended;
  • For bird photography from the floating hide: because you can get a bit closer to your subject with a floating hide, a lens with a range of 400mm should be sufficient in principle. You can also choose to use an extender;
  • For bird photography from a hide or tent: a lens with a range of at least 400 mm, or an equivalent when using a crop camera (for example a Nikon D500 with a 300 mm lens, which is then a 450 mm);
  • for landscapes: wide-angle (zoom) lens;
  • for flora: macro lens;
  • sufficient memory cards;
  • sufficient camera batteries, you cannot charge in the huts;
  • power bank(s);
  • external hard drive or laptop;
  • tripod and tripod head or swing head to screw onto the floating hut;
  • empty bean bag.

 

Klimaat en kledij

In August, the daytime temperature in Slovenia can exceed 30 degrees, so make sure you dress in layers. It can also be quite warm in the water. In the water, you wear neoprene waders. It is a matter of trying out what you find most comfortable to wear in the waders; a t-shirt and shorts may be sufficient for one person, too much or too little for another. Also keep in mind that, although your waders fit high, it is still possible that you will scoop water into your waders due to an unexpected movement from above.

Paspoort

To travel to Slovenia you need a valid passport.

BOOK YOUR PHOTO TOUR

Book your option here. More info?

Free Option

You’re not yet sure if you can join a specific photography trip on a specific date because you may need to discuss it first at home, with your work, or with your travel companion. In that case, you can request a non-binding option for the trip via our website, by email, or by phone.

Validity of the free and non-binding option:

  • The option is valid for 48 hours if the photography trip departs within 8 weeks.
  • The option is valid for 7 days if the photography trip departs in 8 weeks or later.

Nature Talks will reserve a spot for you during this period, as long as there is still availability for the trip. If, during this time, the trip becomes fully booked due to other participants, we will contact you to discuss whether you would like to convert your option into a confirmed booking. Once the option expires, and if you have not informed Nature Talks that you wish to use it, no rights can be derived from the option.

Afraid to book? No need!

If we need to cancel the trip due to a new Covid variant for example, you will always receive your money back within two working days. As a consumer, you are legally entitled to a refund in such a case (minus 30 pound administration costs)

Bird Photography Tour to Slovenia: Floating Hides
Departure10-08-2026
Return17-08-2026
Travel duration8
Guaranteed departureNo
Available places4
PriceFrom £2949
Max participants8
Included
  • Half board
  • All overnight stays
  • Transport on location
  • Use of all floating hides and waders
  • Use of all photo hides
  • Guidance by local guides and nature photographer
  • Guidance from an experienced wildlife photographer
  • Photo discussions
  • Participant meeting before the start of the trip
 Not Included
  • Alcoholic and soft drinks
  • Personal purchases
  • Tipping
  • Travel cancellation insurance
N

Spectacular floating hide photography

N

Best time for young water birds

N

Beautiful habitat with aquatic plants

N

Many Different locations

N

Own control over composition and lighting

N

Use of woodland photo hides

N

All in-water equipment

N

Guidance from an experienced wildlife photographer

N

Many Different Bird Species

jonge aalscholvers op een tak - Fotoreis Slovenië - watervogels fotograferen op de waterlijn
bijeneter op een tak - Fotoreis Slovenië - watervogels fotograferen op de waterlijn
waterral - Fotoreis Slovenië - watervogels fotograferen op de waterlijn
Klein waterhoen tussen riet - Fotoreis Slovenië - watervogels fotograferen op de waterlijn

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Fotoreis Slovenië

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Wij begrijpen dat je heel graag al weer wilt dromen van een mooie fotoreis, maar dat het nog steeds onzekere tijden zijn. Rekening houdend met die onzekerheid  en de maatregelen tegen de verspreiding van het coronavirus hebben we iets nieuws bedacht. De "Veilig boeken-optie". Hiermee zetten we je kosteloos op onze deelnemerslijst. Dit zorgt ervoor dat je met een gerust hart kunt boeken en je toch kunt blijven dromen en je reisverlangens niet hoeft te onderdrukken.

Zodra het Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken en het land van bestemming een positief reisadvies voor die bestemming af geven, nemen we direct contact met je op en leggen we het aan je voor. Vanaf dat moment heb je 10 dagen de tijd om te beslissen of je deelneemt aan The trip of niet. Pas zodra je besluit om mee te gaan, betaal je de standaard 30% aanbetaling.