G E O F F S C O T T – S I M P S O N | Naturalist • Photographer • Storyteller • Workshop Leader

Iberian Lynx Photo Adventures 2016

A unique opportunity for serious wildlife photographers to point their lenses at the world’s rarest and most endangered feline.

Andújar, Sierra de Morena, Spain

The Sierra de Morena is one of two of Spain’s last refuges for the elusive and highly endangered lynx, whose population has around 120 adults (2015) The Iberian Lynx is under enormous threat from extinction from a variety of reasons including, forest fires, depleted rabbit populations and invention by man. The Sierra de Morena is also refuge for the extremely rare Iberian Wolf & Black Vulture

4×4 vehicles our Photo Adventure is conducted on an
Exclusive Private Estate with Special Permits granted from the Spanish Authorities (including photography from purpose built hides)

(4 days, 3 nights) Cost – £695.00 Deposit – £295.00

Secure payment via PayPal or International Bank Transfer

Based on shared double room / Single room supplement an additional £40.00

Dates

Adventure 1 – Arrive on Friday 18 March 2016 – Depart on Monday 21 March 2016
Adventure 2 – Arrive on Tuesday 22 March 2016 – Depart on Friday 25 March 2016
Adventure 3 – Arrive on Friday 8 April 2016 – Depart on Monday 11 April 2016
Adventure 4 – Arrive on Tuesday 12 April 2016 – Depart on Friday 15 April 2016
Adventure 5 – Arrive on Friday 23 September 2016 – Depart on Monday 26 September 2016
Adventure 6 – Arrive on Tuesday 27 September 2016 – Depart Friday on 29 September 2016
Adventure 7 – Arrive on Friday 7 October 2016 – Depart on Monday 10 October 2016
Adventure 8 – Arrive on Tuesday 11 October 2016 – Depart on Friday 14 October 2016

(Bespoke dates and combination photo adventures available upon request)
Limited to 8 places per tour – 2 photographers per 4×4 vehicle plus expert guide.

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Geoff to collect all participants from Málaga Airport we intend to leave the airport no later than 14.00 so please book an early morning flight. We arrive at 17:00 at our traditional Spanish lodging, rooms distribution (double) and with dinner at 21:00 we have plenty of time to unpack, become acquainted with each other and sit back and admire the stunning views.

Day 2 & 3 – Very early in the morning after breakfast we will set off to a private estate in search of the Iberian lynx. We will spend the entire day in different hides in order to secure images of our target specie.

Day 4 – At dawn we will set off for another trip to photograph Iberian Lynx until lunch time when we will return our lodging. After lunch we will return to Málaga Airport – the journey should take approximately 2hours, 30 minutes. It is recommended that you book a flight back sometime after 19.00 or alternatively pre-book a local hotel of which there are dozens in close proximity to Málaga Airport and fly early Tuesday morning.

Includes Full board lodging (breakfast, picnic lunch and evening meal) ; Expert Local Guides; 2 x Photographers per 4×4 vehicle; Insurance; Specially Granted Permit to enter Private Estate/s. Use of specially designed hides that comply with the local law regarding the photography of endangered species; Expert tuition when and where required from Geoff & José.

Includes Transfer to and from Málaga Airport by Geoff

Meals The food served during the duration of this workshop will be cooked with locally sourced products.

Any allergy or intolerance to food / insect or similar must be communicated before the commencement of the workshop (see section in booking form). Appropriate food will be provided as an alternative including vegetarian and/or vegan.

Excludes Flights to Málaga (Spain) & Any drinks outside of the meals.

Iberian Lynx Conservation (Its About Giving Back)

5% of profits is donated to organisations in Spain & Portugal dedicated to preserving the Iberian Lynx through conservation and captive breeding propagation.

Your Guide

Geoff Scott-Simpson BSc (Hons) – Naturalist, Professional Photographer & Resident of Spain

Winner of the unique and much coveted International Year of Biodiversity 2010

British Wildlife Photography Awards

Internationally Represented by Getty Images & CORBIS

http://www.geoffscottsimpson.com

Your Host

José Luis Ojeda – Conservationist, Photographer & Leading Iberian Lynx Expert

Making a Booking

If you have additional questions or would like further information, Geoff will be happy to answer them over the phone on 0034 604 192 514 (Calls cost less than 6p per minute after 7pm)

For a Booking Form please:

Email geoffscottsimpson@gmail.com
Skype geoffscottsimpson or click on the PayPal make payment button

http://www.geoffscottsimpson.photoshelter.com/visionwildphotoadventures

A Fabulous Photo Club / Society / Friends Offer

Make a confirmed booking (Deposits paid) for 8 participants and we will pay for the organiser or a nominated person to attend FREE OF CHARGE and we will also include a FLIGHT VALUE of £200.

Gear Recommendations

Digital Camera
300mm to 500mm lenses are best when working from a fixed location so a beanbag when working from a 4×4 vehicle is essential a sturdy tripod is also a recommended requirement.

Clothing Recommendations

Pleasantly warm temperatures during the day though the evening can get chilled so we recommend a light fleece or similar warm garment.
Other subjects to photograph from our hides, though not part of this workshop include:
Black & Griffon Vulture, Spanish Imperial Eagle. The Golden Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle and Goshawk hides will be available soon.

Recent Guest Testimonials

Geoff is by far the best tutor Curt and I have ever encountered and we have been with all the big names and companies here in the States. We cannot recommend Geoff highly enough, his attention to detail, demeanour and ability to convey both technical and aesthetic aspects of photography are a credit to his profession. The hospitality extended towards Curt and I from the master himself and his adorable wife Fee are befitting of there status as professionals. I would recommend anyone wanting inspiration to join Geoff he has a gift of teaching, he is inspirational and is a special photographer indeed.

Candice & Curt Mayer – Connecticut, USA

On behalf of myself, my wife and friends, this correspondence is to formally thank you for your very significant contribution to our trip to Andalucía, Spain in July 2015. The diversity of the wildlife, the warm welcome provided by you, your professional input and guidance, ensured we that all returned with some remarkable images and fond memories of our first trip to Spain. Your approach was refreshing and valued by all and contributed to the rapid rate at which everyone improved their camera skills, this became evident as the tour progressed. I would have no hesitation in using you to lead future photo tours to this remarkably beautiful region of Europe. As you correctly informed us it’s virgin territory just waiting to be discovered.

Gustaf Kornbakk – Enskede, Sweden

I found Geoff to be exceptionally encouraging and his format is very effective. His critique in the field takes away the angst of waiting. He is one very modest and talented guy and a photographer who has nothing to hide and an extremely large amount to share.

Carl Wilson – Thirsk, Yorkshire, England

I have been to the Peak District on many occasions hoping to capture the majestic Red Deer. However, until recently I had little understanding of what I was actually trying to get. What I came away with from Geoff’s workshop was an understanding of the behaviour of the animals, along with a clearer idea of type of image I could best expect in differing light at different times of the day. A very instructive and enjoyable day and one I hope to repeat in the none to distant future.

Dave Griffiths – Chairman of Wilmslow Guild Photographic Society, Cheshire, England

The photo opportunities were fantastic and something I will remember you for the rest of my life. I will never forget the promise of seeing hundreds of raptors in the sky, boy did we see some raptors that day. You are a truly amazing naturalist, photographer and superb tutor.

Aagtie van der Schaff – Eijsden-Margaten, Netherlands

I would like to thank the hundreds of well-wishers following my recent horrific accident and subsequent serious injuries. A dislocated patella and snapped quadriceps tendon is not exactly a good situation to fine oneself in when working alone at 1900m in the remote mountains of the Sierra de las Nieves, España. Then there’s the 47-hour crawl back to the car over rocky terrain and scrub dressed only in daytime clothing and with night temperatures as low as 3c a few physical to say the least and psychological hurdles had to be overcome along the way, all designed no doubt to test my resolve and determination to survive. And before anyone asks I was out-of-range for a mobile signal. Then there was the little matter of an 18km drive to the emergency department at Ronda hospital; a 2-hour operation and three of the most painful epidural injections in the base of my spine you could possibly imagine. All in the days work of a professional photographer, NOT!

The operation was successful and I should be fully recovered in as little as 10 or 12-months, no doubt the fact the I am raw vegan and in good shape should ensure the best possible recovery in order that I can not only go back to my beloved mountains but play tennis again.

A heartfelt thank you to each and everyone of you it means so much to me as the slow road to full recovery ahead begins with an intensive rehabilitation programme. Looking at the positive benefits of time away from photography, well there’s now time to edit and process the thousands of RAW files on my hard drives, marketing and produce a new audio-visual presentation or two for my 2017 British & American lecturer tour. There’s always a silver-lining.

Sincere regards,

Geoff