Want To Photograph Eagles In 2026? These Are Our Recommendations

For many wildlife photographers, eagles sit at the very top of the wishlist. These charismatic raptors combine power, poise & presence, rewarding patient photographers with images that feel timeless. If your goal is to build a truly eagle-centric portfolio in the coming year, 2026 offers several superb opportunities with NaturesLens. Below you will find our ranked recommendations drawn only from our 2026 schedule, with clear reasons to choose each trip, what to expect from the trip or tour, & how the experiences differ.

As requested by many of our guests, we have put a firm spotlight on our number one pick for 2026 – Birds of Extremadura in Spain – which we believe offers the strongest mix of dependable eagle encounters, variety, light quality & photographic comfort.

Our Number One Choice For Several Types of Eagle in 2026 – Birds Of Extremadura, Spain

Dates: 23rd – 31st May 2026  |  Guide: Ian Roberts  |  From: £3499 single occupancy

Join the Birds of Extremadura Photography Holiday during May 2026

Extremadura is a flagship destination for European raptors & it earns the top spot in 2026 without hesitation. Late May in Spain delivers long, bright days, warm conditions, reliable activity at the hides & vibrant backdrops that lift every frame. For eagle-focused photographers, the big draw is the potential to photograph multiple species across a single trip. Typical highlights include Spanish Imperial Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle & Golden Eagle, supported by a cast of Griffon & Black Vultures, kites, bee-eaters, hoopoes, rollers & more. The breadth of species means there is always something to work with, even if an eagle session pauses between passes.

Our hide network in Extremadura is tried & trusted. You will work from comfortable, purpose-built hides positioned for clean perches, workable distances & natural, uncluttered backgrounds. This allows you to concentrate on timing, behaviour & light. In May the sun’s arc supports soft morning & evening sessions with a golden quality that flatters plumage detail & wing texture, while mid-day is often used for species that perform well in stronger light or for rest & review. The logistics are streamlined, transfers are short, & accommodation is chosen for comfort & proximity to key sites, so you spend more time shooting & less time on the road.

Another factor that pushes Extremadura to number one is portfolio efficiency. You can focus tightly on eagles for a day, then switch to colour-rich species such as European Bee-eater & Roller for variety, before returning to raptors the next morning. This cadence is excellent for maintaining momentum & morale, especially if you are targeting specific behaviours such as take-offs, landings, mantling, prey-handling or mid-air interactions. The net effect is a balanced, full gallery by the end of the week.

• Why choose Extremadura first: multiple eagle species, dependable hide work, efficient logistics, rich supporting cast, excellent May light.
• Best for: photographers building a wide eagle portfolio with strong variety in a single European trip.

Winter Eagles Of The Hortobágy, Hungary

Dates: 26th – 31st January 2026  |  Guide: Dan Trim  |  From: £2249 single occupancy

Photograph the Winter Eagles of the Hortobágy with NaturesLens

If your vision of eagle photography is frosty breath, snow-rimmed ground & hard winter light, the Hortobágy delivers classic White-tailed Eagle encounters. The steppe habitat concentrates birds in late January, creating bold behaviour at managed feeding sites. Our approach is fully hide-based so you are sheltered, stable & ready for fast action when eagles sweep in & posture over carrion. Think dynamic sequences of approach flights, braking wing positions, talons forward & eye contact into the lens.

January sessions frequently offer subdued palettes that suit monochrome conversions & high-key winter treatments. When snow falls, the scenes become graphic & minimal, ideal for fine-art prints. Between eagle passes, supporting species such as Common Buzzard, corvids & occasional Goshawk keep shutters clicking. This is a tightly focused, five-night trip that prioritises impactful White-tailed Eagle frames over breadth of species.

• Why choose Hortobágy: concentrated White-tailed Eagle action, winter atmosphere, strong hide ergonomics.
• Best for: photographers wanting dramatic winter eagle portraits & in-flight sequences across a short schedule.

Eagles & Other Birdlife Of Northern Spain

Dates: 31st May – 7th June 2026  |  Guide: Ian Roberts  |  From: £1899 single occupancy

Explore the Eagles & other Birdlife of Northern Spain wildlife photography holiday

This itinerary swaps the dehesa of Extremadura for the rugged ridges & valleys of Northern Spain, where a resident pair of Golden Eagles headline the show. The setting is spectacular, with mountainous terrain that gifts context to wider environmental images. Expect hide sessions tuned to the pair’s movements, with opportunities for perched studies, take-offs from stony ledges & soaring frames that show scale against the landscape.

While Golden Eagles are the focus, the region also rewards patience with vultures & kites, plus a selection of passerines that drop into woodland or feeder hides. Light in early June is generous without being harsh for most of the day at altitude, so you can often extend shooting windows. If your creative brief includes eagle imagery that breathes the wider sense of place, Northern Spain brings that cinematic feel.

• Why choose Northern Spain: dedicated Golden Eagle encounters with mountain drama, complementary raptors & varied habitats.
• Best for: photographers who love eagles with a sense of scale & broader landscape context.

Sea Otters & Bald Eagles Of Alaska – Full for 2026 – 2029 dates are already available

Dates: 10th – 18th March 2026  |  Guide: David Miles  |  Status: Full

Although the Sea Otters & Bald Eagles of Alaska photography holiday for 2026 is full, 2029 dates are availablea

Homer is a world-class stage for Bald Eagles. In March, eagles concentrate along the coast, offering dramatic interactions over the water, classic portraits on driftwood & commanding flight shots against snow-capped mountains. A signature element here is boat-based photography with experienced skippers who position for low-angle, eye-level images. The resulting perspective is immersive & powerful, ideal for portfolios that need bold, close sequences of Bald Eagles in action.

While the 2026 departure is fully booked, it remains a touchstone for future planning. The addition of Sea Otters builds variety into the gallery & offers softer, behavioural storytelling. If Bald Eagles are your absolute priority, join the wait list for any late availability, consider future years or balance your 2026 schedule with Spain or Hungary to secure eagle content now.

• Why consider Homer for future seasons: unrivalled Bald Eagle density, boat perspectives, mountain backdrops, action-rich sessions.

Amazing Winter Wildlife Of Japan – Full for 2026 – 2027 dates are already available

Dates: 7th – 21st February 2026  |  Guides: David Miles & Ian Roberts  |  Status: Full

Although the 2026 version of the Amazing Winter Wildlife of Japan photography holiday is full, the 2027 are already available

Japan‘s winter is famed for Steller’s Sea Eagle & White-tailed Eagle encounters along Hokkaido‘s coasts. Drift ice, sea mist & steely skies combine to create a palette that feels almost monochrome, letting the eagles’ shape & behaviour take centre stage. This tour also includes Japanese icons such as Red-crowned Crane & Snow Monkey, so it is the broadest wildlife itinerary on this page. For eagle devotees the draw is the massed gatherings, clean sea horizons & the chance to execute crisp in-flight frames with low clutter.

With 2026 already full, many photographers secure places for later seasons. If your 2026 plan centres on eagles, we recommend pairing Spain or Hungary now, then targeting Japan the following winter to round out the global set.

• Why plan Japan for later: two eagle species in one trip, drift-ice scenes, refined logistics across multiple regions.

Hungarian Winter Wildlife At Bence Máté’s Farm – Full for 2026

Dates: 24th – 31st January 2026  |  Guide: Pui Hang Miles  |  Status: Full

Although the 2026 Hungarian Winter Wildlife photography trip is full, we do have dates available for 2027

This acclaimed hide complex is engineered for photography. While the trip is not eagle-exclusive, winter visits can produce White-tailed Eagle opportunities alongside woodpeckers, hawfinches, buzzards & other characterful subjects. The sophisticated hides allow for ultra-close, unobtrusive work, supporting high-detail portraits & intimate behaviour studies. It is a superb all-rounder that complements a pure eagle trip such as the Hortobágy week.

• Why consider if space opens: innovative hides, broad winter diversity, frequent raptor moments including eagles.

How To Choose The Right Eagle Trip In 2026

Match Species Goals To Destinations

• Multiple eagle species in one European trip: Extremadura.
• Golden Eagle with mountain settings: Northern Spain.
• White-tailed Eagle in winter action: Hortobágy.
• Bald Eagle spectacles from boats: Alaska (full for 2026 but available for 2029).
• Steller’s Sea Eagle plus White-tailed Eagle: Japan (full for 2026 but already taking bookings for 2027).

Think About Light, Backgrounds & Perches

Late spring in Spain brings warm tones, clean perches & leafy backdrops that flatter detailed portraits & landing sequences. Winter in Hungary adds graphic snowy scenes, vapoury breath & muted tones ideal for fine-art treatments. Boat sessions in Alaska produce low, eye-level perspectives with mountain horizons. Japan delivers sea-ice & open-water backdrops that emphasise wing shape & flight lines. Map these aesthetics to your portfolio needs before you book.

Hide Comfort & Shooting Rhythm

Hide ergonomics matter when you are holding position for hours. Our Spanish & Hungarian hides are purpose-designed for lens support, sight lines & comfort, with practical entry protocols to minimise disturbance. Boat sessions in Alaska involve short repositioning runs between action flurries, introducing a pleasant rhythm of burst shooting & quick reviews. Japan blends roadside, shoreline & boat sessions, so packing flexibility & layered clothing is key.

Lens & Kit Planning

Across these trips, a 400-600 mm range is a sweet spot for tight portraits, with a 70-200 mm or 100-400 mm for wider behaviour & environmental frames. In hides, a fast prime or zoom is useful when light dips at dawn or dusk. For boats, stabilisation helps, & a second body avoids lens swaps during short behaviour windows. Pack plenty of batteries, fast cards & rain covers for winter itineraries. Tripods & gimbals remain valuable in hides, whereas on boats a monopod or hand-holding is often more agile.

Ethics & Fieldcraft

All NaturesLens eagle photography trips are run with strict ethical practices. We prioritise licensed hides, experienced local partners & protocols that safeguard the welfare of the birds. This means planned entries, capped group sizes & patient, non-intrusive behaviour in the field. The goal is to leave nothing but footprints while bringing home memorable images.

Recommended Combinations For A Bigger 2026 Eagle Portfolio

• Extremadura + Northern Spain: combine multi-species variety with Golden Eagle grandeur in different Spanish habitats.
• Extremadura + Hortobágy: pair spring colours & diverse eagles with winter White-tailed Eagle action for seasonal contrast.
• Extremadura + a future Japan or Alaska slot: lock in 2026 production, then expand globally the following winter.

If you are weighing which trips align with future targets such as cranes, owls or European carnivores, talk to us via email or by phone. We can map a two-year plan that keeps your portfolio progressing with intent.

Logistics, Group Sizes & Guidance

NaturesLens keeps groups small for meaningful time with your guide, smart hide rotation & a supportive, collaborative atmosphere. Transport, accommodation & on-the-ground timings are all handled for you, so you can focus on composition, light & behaviour. Whether you are refining advanced techniques or building confidence with your first raptor trip, our leaders share fieldcraft, camera settings & post-shoot review pointers openly.

Want to talk it through? Explore our wider range of wildlife photography holidays, browse by destination, or head straight to the eagle tours above to secure your 2026 plans.

Quick Reference: Our Available Eagle Photography Holidays

• Birds of Extremadura — Spain  |  23rd – 31st May 2026  |  Details & booking for 2026
• Winter Eagles of the Hortobágy — Hungary  |  26th – 31st January 2026  |  Details & booking for 2026
• Eagles & other Birdlife of Northern Spain  |  31st May – 7th June 2026  |  Details & booking for 2026
• Sea Otters & Bald Eagles of Alaska  |  10th – 18th March 2029  |  2026 Full  |  Trip page for 2029
• Amazing Winter Wildlife of Japan  |  7th – 21st February 2027  |  2026 Full  |  Trip page for 2027
• Hungarian Winter Wildlife — Bence Máté’s Farm  |  24th – 31st January 2027  |  2026 Full  |  Trip page for 2027

Final Recommendation

If you plan to photograph eagles in 2026, start with Birds of Extremadura. It offers the most balanced mix of eagle diversity, dependable hide time, favourable late-spring light & excellent supporting species. Then layer in Hortobágy for winter White-tailed Eagle drama or Northern Spain for Golden Eagles in mountainous scenery. If Alaska or Japan are on your longer-term radar, consider the wait lists or secure places for subsequent seasons. However you build it, 2026 can be the year your eagle portfolio takes flight.

Ready to plan? Explore all our eagle photography holidays or speak to our team for personalised guidance.