The Birds of Spain Hide Photography Workshop

April 8-13, 2026 - Only 4 Spots Left

Immerse yourself in a unique bird photography experience in the Spanish steppes and Pyrenees regions. Over six days, you’ll photograph a variety of Europe’s most fascinating birds, from Lammergeiers and Griffon Vultures to Little Owls and Red Kites, all from carefully selected hides.

This workshop offers a slower, more immersive approach, where patience and observation reward you with incredible images. You’ll enjoy the comfort of well-equipped hides, expert guidance, and delicious local meals between sessions.


You’ll Get:

  • 5 days of bird photography from professional hides

  • Guided instruction on technique, composition, and storytelling

  • Accommodation from April 8–12 (5 nights)

  • All ground transportation from airport pickup to final accommodation

  • All meals included (starting with lunch on April 8, ending with lunch on April 13, alcohol not included)

  • Small group setting: 5 photographers + Travis as your tour leader

  • Professional local guides fluent in English

Trip Overview

April 7 — Arrival Day (Recommended)

  • Arrive in Spain and stay overnight at a nearby airport hotel to rest up. (Not included)

April 8 — Workshop Start (Jet Lag Day)

  • Morning group pickup from airport hotel

  • Drive to first accommodation

  • Afternoon: relax, settle in, maybe a short prep session

  • Welcome dinner & orientation

April 9–13 — Shooting Days

Each day balances morning and evening hide sessions with rest and meals.

A typical day:

  • Pre-dawn departure to your assigned hide for morning shooting

  • Return to accommodation for lunch and siesta

  • Evening hide session until sunset

  • Late dinner (around 9:00 pm — Spanish style!)


Some Of The Birds We’ll Photograph

Griffon Vulture

Little Owl

Black Vulture

Red Kite

Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture)

Hoopoe

What You Need To Know!

📝 Important Notes

  • Once in a hide, you cannot leave until the session ends, even for restroom breaks, as this can alert the birds. Plan accordingly. (I'll be skipping my morning coffee 😅 ☕️)

  • You may be in a different hide than Travis at times, but local guides will always be nearby and reachable.

  • Do not plan to fly home on April 13. The final day includes shooting and travel; schedule flights for April 14.

🫒 Meals & Culture

This workshop embraces Spain’s local rhythm, which is different from what North Americans may be used to. Due to siesta time, lunch is not served before 1:30 pm, and dinner in the evening usually doesn’t start until around 9:00 pm, it’s simply how meal times work in Spain.

  • Breakfast: packed to-go each morning

  • Lunch: no earlier than 1:30 pm

  • Dinner: begins around 9:00 pm

Enjoy fresh, local cuisine throughout the trip while relaxing between shooting sessions and soaking in the slower pace of Spanish life.

🧠 Small Group = Big Learning

With only 5 guests, you’ll get hands-on, personalized coaching from Travis throughout the workshop. Each day, we’ll cover:

  • Shooting from hides with confidence — techniques for composing and exposing from confined spaces.

  • Working with tripods, gimbals, and video heads to capture sharp, stable shots.

  • Photo and video storytelling — how to make your hide sessions more dynamic and intentional.

  • Reviewing and refining your work to bring out the best in your images through Lightroom and editing sessions.

By the end, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of hide photography, how to anticipate behavior, adapt to changing light, and capture birds in a natural, undisturbed setting.

📷 What Gear Should You Bring?

  • Camera body (DSLR or mirrorless)

  • Long lens: 400–600mm recommended for distant subjects

  • Optional shorter prime: 300mm+ works well when birds are closer, but you should still have at least one long lens for flexibility

  • Tripod with gimbal or video head (Photo Logistics has some to borrow, but bringing your own is encouraged)

  • Laptop + hard drive for backups

  • Extra SD or CFexpress cards

  • Extra batteries

  • Cleaning kit (blower, cloths, etc.)

  • Rain cover (optional — hides are covered, but good for travel days)

Birds will often be close, but distances vary, a long telephoto (400–600mm) will ensure you’re ready for every situation.

🧥 What to Wear

Dress in layers to stay comfortable inside the hides and outdoors:

  • Dark, UV-protective long sleeves and base layers (helps prevent birds from seeing you)

  • Lightweight fleece or sweater (easy to remove if it warms up)

  • Windbreaker or rain jacket for variable weather

  • Quick-dry pants or leggings

  • Comfortable, closed-toe shoes or hiking boots

  • Dark gloves (to avoid alerting birds)

  • Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen

  • Light scarf or neck gaiter for early morning or evening chill

  • Optional: thin gloves with removable fingertips for camera work

Tip: Hides can warm quickly in the sun, so layers you can adjust are key. Avoid heavy jackets that may become uncomfortable once it’s sunny.

🗣️ Language & Comfort

No need to worry about language, our guides are fluent in English, and our accommodations are used to international guests. You’ll also experience Catalan-speaking areas, and locals will appreciate any small effort to speak a few words!

*These reviews are from past workshops, but they give you an idea of the experience you can expect on our Spain trip.

What Guests From Previous Workshops Are Saying!

Instagram

Bruce Donsker

"If you are reading this, I am guessing you are in the same shoes I was: an avid photographer, doing your homework on workshops, interested in learning more skills while experiencing a beautiful location and with like minded active photographers.  I found all of this in Trav's workshop plus I made some new great friends.

The classroom sessions are truly an important aspect of each day. I found myself being one of the least experienced in attendance and never ever felt out of place. Everyone’s questions were answered and discussed by all so that we learned not only from Travis, but from others in the room.

On the outings, Travis was totally involved in helping each of us with answering our questions, giving suggestions and even assisting with some equipment challenges.

And yes, an incredible time I will share and not forget!"

Instagram

Desiree Hildenbrand

"I had the incredible opportunity to attend Trav In the Bush’s bald eagle workshop this year in Campbell River, BC, and it was nothing short of spectacular. The workshop offered endless chances to photograph bald eagles in flight, especially while fishing, an experience that felt both thrilling and deeply immersive.

The scenery was breathtaking, adding a magical backdrop to every shot. Travis was an exceptionally attentive coach, always making sure we had our camera settings dialed in and never missing a moment to point out amazing photo opportunities. His guidance truly elevated the experience.

It was also a pleasure to spend time with Karen, Travis’ wife, who joined us for part of the workshop. Getting to know both Travis and Karen was a highlight, they are warm, welcoming, and fantastic hosts.

I’m already counting down the days until my next adventure with them in Newfoundland in 2026! "

Instagram

Becky Kronstad

"Travis, What fun to have all of your tips, tricks, and examples in written form. I have been on one of your tours and watch all of your videos. I have learned so much. The ebook is the icing on the cake. It’s a beautiful book and having all of the techniques in writing is really helpful. Thank You."

Instagram

Geoff Wolk

" Well organized, great workshop! Ended up with shots I had no idea I was capable of taking."

Website

Stephen Smyth

"Travis is a top-notch wildlife photographer. He took the time to share his knowledge of photographing bald eagles and taught us what to look for so we could anticipate the shot. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend booking a workshop with him, you'll have a great time and learn a ton!"

Instagram

Savvy Mehta

"I had the pleasure of joining Trav on a wildlife photography tour and I must say it was an absolutely incredible experience! Trav's passion for wildlife and photography was contagious and his knowledge of local wildlife was truly impressive."

FAQ section

Frequently asked questions

You've got questions. I've got answers.

What’s included in the workshop?

  • 5 days of bird photography from professional hides

  • Guided instruction on technique, composition, and storytelling

  • Accommodation from April 8–12 (5 nights)

  • All ground transportation from airport pickup to final accommodation (April 8-13)

  • All meals (starting with lunch on April 8, ending with lunch on April 13, alcohol not included)

  • Small group setting: 5 photographers + Travis as your tour leader

  • Professional local guides fluent in English

What's not included?

❌ Airfare
❌ Travel and medical insurance (required)
❌ Accommodation for April 7 and the evening of April 13
❌ Alcoholic beverages
❌ Personal expenses or souvenirs
❌ Tips for local guides and drivers (optional but appreciated)

Where do I stay?

Accommodation is included from April 8–12 at comfortable local accommodations located close to our shooting locations.

Before and after the workshop:

  • April 7: I recommend arriving the day before and staying overnight at a hotel near the Barcelona Airport. I’ll share my recommended hotel once your deposit is received.

  • April 8: I’ll pick everyone up at 10:00 AM from the recommended airport hotel to begin our adventure.

  • April 13: After our final evening shoot, I’ll drop everyone off at the same airport hotel.

  • April 14: Please plan to fly out on or after April 14, as we won’t finish shooting until late on the 13th and I can’t guarantee you’ll make a same-night flight.

Please note that the night of April 7 and the evening of April 13 are not included in the workshop fee.

Where do I fly into?

You’ll want to fly into Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), arriving on April 7th. This allows you to rest after your flight and be ready for pickup the next morning.

I’ll be collecting everyone from a nearby airport hotel (which I’ll recommend after deposit payment) at 10:00 AM on April 8th to begin our journey.

Please note: if you do not arrive in time for the group departure, you’ll need to arrange your own transportation to meet us at our first accommodation.

How much does it cost?

Early Bird: $7,999 CAD (~$5,750 USD) — available until December 5, 2025
Regular Price: $8,499 CAD (~$6,220 USD)

Only 5 spots are available.

A $1,500 CAD (~$1075 USD) non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot, with the remaining balance due 90 days before the workshop.

What is your cancellation policy?

Because I run small, high-demand workshops, we follow a firm policy:

  • All deposits are non-refundable

  • Full payment is due 90 days before the workshop

  • Cancellations more than 90 days out = refund (minus deposit)

  • Cancellations inside 90 days = no refund

Are the birds baited?

If you’re joining us from North America, you might be surprised to learn that hide photography and baiting are common conservation tools in Europe. At first, I was skeptical too, but after seeing it firsthand, I realized how different the context is here.

In Spain, almost all land is privately owned. That means photographers can’t simply wander onto public land to photograph wildlife the way we can in Canada or the U.S. To make ethical wildlife access possible, companies like Photo Logistics partner with local farmers to set up professional photo hides on their property.

Here’s how it works:

  • Farmers receive income from hosting hides, giving them a financial reason to protect birds and their habitats instead of clearing or developing the land.

  • Vultures will be fed as part of supplementary feeding. This uses natural agricultural byproducts, such as farm-raised rabbits, which closely mimic what scavengers already eat in the wild. The feeding is designed to have minimal impact, the birds and mammals we work with do not rely on this food source and continue to hunt and forage naturally.

  • Photo Logistics reinvests in conservation, even purchasing land to protect endangered species such as the Black Wheatear.

So while “baiting” can sound controversial, in this context it’s part of a broader conservation model that benefits both wildlife and local communities. It’s a chance for photographers to experience incredible wildlife moments while contributing directly to habitat protection.

Can the birds see you?

No, the birds can’t see us inside the hide. Each hide uses one-way glass, which means we can see the birds clearly, but they can’t see us. It’s the same kind of glass you’ve seen in movies when police are interviewing a suspect, fully visible from our side, completely hidden from theirs.

Because it’s darker inside the hide, you’ll lose about one stop of light, so be ready to adjust your settings accordingly. When shooting through the glass, keep your lens as close to it as possible, that eliminates reflections and ensures your photos stay sharp and clear.

Ready To Join The Adventure?

Press the button and send me an email if you have any questions or want to sign up.