Our Dalmatian Pelican photography tours take place at Lake Kerkini, a premier location for birdwatchers & photographers. Mountain ranges protect three sides of the lake which provides a mild climate & an abundance of fish for over 300 species of birds, many of whom are migratory birds en route to the South East of Europe or Africa.
We time our trips to coincide with their breeding season which is when these charismatic birds look their best with their bright red pouches & crazy hair-dos.
Our Dalmatian Pelican photography tours are a combination of boat trips on the lake at sunrise with opportunities to photograph the birds in flight as well as thrilling action shots when the birds are vying for fish & shoreline sessions in the afternoon, for classic portraits & more action shots.
Our guests often ask us what the recommended lens would be for a particular trip. In the case of the Pelicans, you need a wide variety of lenses to do them justice. The Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM is a great lens to use on the boat, but the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM would give you greater flexibility. For the shoreline sessions, you should add a wide angle lens such as the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM as the Pelicans can come very close!
Our guide will provide tuition where required & once everyone has gotten some classic images that they are happy with, they will show you abstract techniques such as panning & how to achieve high key images.
Annette Webersinke, the latest member of the NaturesLens guiding team, led this year’s Dalmatian Pelican photography tours & these are just some of the gorgeous images that she captured during the trip. Group One started with winter wonderland conditions as it had been snowing in the days leading up to the start of the tour. However, as the days went on, the temperature continued to drop & then the lake started to freeze over!
Thankfully, our local Greek skipper persuaded the local fishermen to help him break up the ice & to take our guests out in their fishing boats. Some of our guests were lucky enough to have Pelicans land on the boat & were treated to some excellent close-up images.
Our 2019 guests got some great images of the pelicans on the lake with snowy backdrops & we were relieved that they were still able to get out on the lake.
By the time the third group arrived at Lake Kerkini, the ice had started to melt & our usual boat trips on the pontoon resumed. The ever-changing weather conditions meant that each group were presented with different photographic opportunities & I have loved seeing all the different images from each group.
On the final shoreline session on the last day of the tour, Group Three were treated to glorious soft pink evening light. I can’t think of a lovelier way for our Dalmatian Pelican photography tours to end. Thanks to Annette for looking after our guests so well this year.
- NaturesLens wildlife photography holidays are structured around photographic opportunity — every schedule decision is made around light, behaviour, & access.
- Small groups of 4–8 photographers ensure unhurried positions & individual guidance.
- Single occupancy accommodation is included as standard across the majority of our trips.
