One day in the Pelican Kingdom

A Photography one day excursion in Lake Kerkini

Lake Kerkini is artificial and was created in 1932. It’s part of Serres Prefecture, located at one hour distance (100km) from the second biggest city of Greece, Thessaloniki. Lake Kerkini has been declared National Park according to Ramsar Convention and it is one out of ten wetlands of International Importance of Greece. In our days is one of the best birding sites in Greece, where you can find 300 rare and protected bird species that live and breed here.

I am a Professional Photographer that every year shoot the area of Kerkini, its landscapes and its big population of  the great Dalmatian Pelican!

Follow me to a one day visit and shoot the great Dalmatian Pelican that lives and breeds here and the beautiful landscapes that are located at the foot of the mountain Kerkini (Belles).

Photos from Lake Kerkini, and especially the great Dalmatian Pelican, are every year featured in publications and big photography contests.

On this one day visit we will follow Dalmatian Pelican and capture its unique behavior. With respect to these great waterbirds we will create unique images and learn the value of nature. My Workshop is suitable for every kind of photographers, regarding their skill level.

We will photograph from boat early in the morning. Later we will make an off road

I will guide you to create unique images, providing information about camera settings and shooting tips.

I will show you wildlife photography techniques and will be there to help you at the field.

Workshop Highlights

• Early morning boat trip photographing Dalmatian Pelicans
• Great Opportunities for Portraits, Close Up shots, birdscape shots, Pelican in Flight shots
• Transportation from Thessaloniki to Kerkini and the area of the lake cost 20 euros per person (we will be leaving 5 o’clock in the morning). The route from Thessaloniki to boat is about 1.5 hour long. We need to leave very early to shoot at the first light. If you want you can use your personal vehicle to travel from Thessaloniki and we will pick you up from Lithotopos at exactly 6:00 o’clock in the morning.
• Group is limited to 6 photographers so that everybody can use the time and spots to shoot unique Dalmatian Pelican images.
• Entry level, mid-level & experienced photographers are welcome
• Rental Photo Gear Available (Nikon D500 and Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 & Nikkor 150-600mm)

Date and Price

The Workshop will take place at Lake Kerkini on December 2023 and January, February 2024. Contact me on what is the best day for you. You can take part on my four days workshop in Kerkini, take a look here.

• Duration: 1 day
• Location: Lake Kerkini, North Greece
• Group Size: Strictly up to 6 photographers
• Price: 350 euros (prices include tax), If you are a group of 2 or more people message me for discount
• Deposit: 100 euros
  A non-refundable deposit is required to book your place or you may pay in full at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due 7 days prior to the start of the workshop. If the remaining balance is not paid in full your place will be forfeited. I reserve the right to cancel the trip due to unforeseen circumstances. If the trip is cancelled I will arrange an alternative date or a full refund if you can not make the alternative date. In general, the workshop will not be cancelled due to the weather forecast.

Not included in the price

• Lunch, dinner or other meals
• Drinks and coffee
• What ever is not included in the highlights
• Insurance (I recommend you have health, medical, travel and equipment insurance)
• Personal Expenses

Recommended Photo Gear

• DSLR or mirrorless
• Wide angle lens for landscape shots and wide shots of pelicans
• Telephoto lens, a 70-200mm/70-300mm will be great, a 150-600mm will provide nice long shots, both of them will be perfect
• Macro lens optional for close up of pelicans (eyes, feet, bill)
• Tripod or Monopod

If you dont have something from the above list you can contact me to arrange for you to rend it.

Recommended Clothing

As we will be starting early in the morning you must bring with you very warm clothes, including gloves, scarf, cap and ideally thermal Underwear Set. Of course, you will need warm shoes, ideally water-resistant and a waterproof jacket.

Winder in Greece is usually harsh and temperatures can drop close to 0 Celsius.

I suggest you will be dressed in layers, that is to wear several pieces of clothing on top of one another, so that as the day gets warmer you will be able to adjust your clothes and temperature.