Ramrod Ranch (Bird Blind Photography Workshops)
BIRD BLIND PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS: “2021” Fall Season and “2022” Spring Season
Fall 2021 Schedule, Fall Focus: Sparrows And The Raptors That Hunt Them.
Spring 2022 Schedule, Spring Focus: Migrant Warblers And Possible Nesting Situations.
With Instructor Bruce Finocchio.
Come and visit the idyllic Ramrod Ranch and have birds enchant your senses. Watch them from a Photo Blind just feet away from you, acting naturally, without the influence of your presence.
Fall is a time of significant activity, with many residents and visiting birds coming to drink to my small life-giving ponds. Water is scarce at this time of the year and attracts many species of birds.
Spring is the time for migrants: especially warblers. Other birds migrating through and not seen at other times of the year. Nesting situations are also a possibility.
The Ramrod Ranch is really a magical place to experience all that Nature can offer.
Setting: The location of the Ramrod Ranch is in Southern Monterey County, just over the divide that separates the Carmel Valley from the Arroyo Seco drainage in the Sierra de Salinas Mountain Range. It’s a tranquil and peaceful place, and away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. It’s about a 2 to 3-hour drive from most of the Bay Area.
The address is 41485 East Carmel Valley Road, Greenfield, CA 93927 in case you would like to find it on Google Maps. I know have a sign on the East Carmel Valley Road at the first entrance gate. Yes, the cabin, it’s about a mile back up on a plateau before the mountain range rises.
Each day session includes six to seven hours of bird blind photography, sitting in a photo blind photographing birds and other wildlife that come to water and perch on specially designed perches and strategically placed bird feeders. After lunch, there will be a review period to go over the morning’s shooting results. I designed this workshop for bird photographers with a minimum of a 300 mm lens with a 1.4x teleconverter. Using flash is recommended at certain times when the light can be harsh. I will explain the fill flash settings and techniques I use.
I will provide a detailed course booklet after registering for the workshop. This will include lodging options, equipment to bring, directions, and other pertinent information. The workshops start early, at 6:30 AM when warbler activity begins, and they come to the ponds for water.
I limit each day session to one photographer or two photographer friends, or a couple. This way I can give personal attention and focus on your photography needs. Required Covid-19 protocols, such as masks, social distancing, are followed. Each photographer will have their own blind. I have received the Pfizer vaccine, both shots 1 and 2, on March 24, 2021, and April 14, 2021.
I now have my new 2018 travel trailer at the Ranch for those who wish to do it two days back to back. This is ideal for couples and saves time and the wear and tear of traveling from Soledad or Carmel Valley motel.
2021 Fall Dates:
Sunday, October 10, 2021 — Sold Out!
Monday, October 11, 2021
Thursday, October 14, 2021 — Sold Out!
Friday, October 15, 2021
Saturday, October 16, 2021
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Thursday, October 21, 2021
Friday, October 22, 2021
Saturday, October 23, 2021
2022 Spring Dates:
Saturday, April 30, 2022
Sunday, May 1, 2022
Monday, May 2, 2022
Thursday, May 5, 2022
Friday, May 6, 2022
Saturday, May 7, 2022
Sunday, May 8, 2022
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Friday, May 13, 2022
Saturday, May 14, 2022
Cost Per Person: One-Day Session = $219, Two-Day Session = $418.00, includes a $20.00 discount.
Cost Per Couple: One-Day Session = $418.00, includes a $20.00 discount. Two-Day or Weekend Session = $836.00, includes a $40.00 discount.
On a first-come basis, my travel trailer is available for those wishing to overnight at the Ramrod Ranch. Please inquire as to availability.
Limited Space and Availability, Book it now!
Make your payment with PayPal to drctimages@aol.com, by using the correct “Buy Now” button below. I will accept personal checks on a case-by-case basis. Please contact me.
Also, please place the date in the PayPal note field so I will know which date you want to attend. If selecting the two-day option, select the first day for payment, and added the second date in the note field. Thank you.
Fall: Individual—One Day:
Great read with outstanding photos
I am one of the friends Bruce refers to at the beginning of his description of Ramrod Ranch.
This haven has been just that for me for many years.
Thanks, Christopher! Will get there again soon. I will get better eventually.
I have had an opportunity to spend 2 days at Ramrod Ranch. I enjoyed observing the wildlife
(birds I don’t see at home) and learning how to get the best shot.
Bruce was very helpful, and I left the ranch with the best bird photos I have taken.
I would recumbent this experience to any nature lover.
Thank you so much. I really enjoyed sharing my photographic and nature knowledge with you.