Sandra Lee Photography presents … NORTH DAKOTA – A Photographic Workshop
“Wildlife of Theodore Roosevelt National Park”
June 16 – 17, 2022
The wildlife of Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Workshop leader – Sandy Zelasko
INTRODUCTION
Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP) is a landscape rich in history. In addition to striking scenery, significant landmarks and a variety of wildlife, it maintains a healthy population of wild horses. Approximately 150 individual horses form bands and harems who freely roam the Southern Unit of the park. Rugged, undisturbed landscapes are found in the seldom visited Northern Unit. Locations such as Cannonball Concretions, Painted Canyon and Caprock Coulee are places we will photograph. Wildlife such as bison, elk, mule deer, coyote, prairie dogs, badgers and golden eagles roam the countryside. The focus of this workshop will be on the horses, wildlife and landscapes introducing you to both south and north units.
Our base camp will be in Medora, ND, the same place Teddy Roosevelt spent his youthful years. Overcome with the raw beauty of this place, he built his retreat and ranching operation developing his love for the natural world. Today Medora is a small tourist town at the entrance to TRNP with lodging, eateries, entertainment and fuel.
If TRNP is on your radar, this is the workshop for you! Two full days of photographic opportunities with Sandy Zelasko in the field. She will share photography tips for outstanding capture and help answer your photo questions.
Thank you for considering Sandra Lee Photography for your Theodore Roosevelt National Park adventure. We know there are many photography workshops to choose from. You will find our small class size leaves time for enhanced personal attention and photographic discussion. Please visit InvestInNature.org for information on our other photo workshops.
TRIP ITINERARY
Wildlife of Theodore Roosevelt National Park Photography Workshop in TRNP begins Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 4:30 AM and ends Friday, June 17, 2022 at Sunset. Photographers of all levels are encouraged to participate. A low student to instructor ratio affords individual attention and flexibility.
Please plan to arrive and check into your hotel in Medora, North Dakota, Wednesday, June 15th in time for a participant introductions, safety, logistics of the schedule, your goals for the workshop, and a discussion about what to expect during our first morning together.
Plan your trip to include at least three overnight stays in Medora, ND beginning June 15, 2022 checking out Saturday, June 18th unless you are extending your stay beyond the scope of this workshop. You are responsible for transportation to and from Medora, ND and throughout the park each day. You can reserve and pick up a rental car at the airport in Bismarck, ND if you are flying in for the workshop. Bismarck (BIS) is the nearest airport to Medora and is approximately 135 miles or a two-hour drive west on Interstate 94.
Medora, ND has a convenience store, fuel (unleaded & diesel), lodging, eateries and of course the famous Medora Musical (more about that later in the RESOURCES section below). For lodging, RV hookups and camping information visit https://medora.com/stay/. There are no lodging discount rates for this workshop at this time.
Your instructor has an exciting workshop planned for you. Note that this itinerary will be flexible in response to weather, lighting, location of animals, client safety and/or desires of the group. Midday is set aside for lunch, personal errands, rest, image review or you can continue photographing. Your instructor will be available and welcomes your questions during workshop hours but will need time to review upcoming activities during the midday hours.
A typical day will go something like this: Meet before sunrise (this time of year that will be approximately 4:30 AM depending on where we will start the day), to photograph sunrise, scenery and wildlife in the area. Depending on what we find, we may stay in a location a significant length of time before moving on to the next scheduled spot. We will break for lunch then resume photographing in the late afternoon until twilight (approximately 9:00 PM). There is no night photography scheduled for this workshop but you may wish to include this opportunity in a dark sky region.
Plan your breakfasts to go and have snacks, water and lunches available in the event we stay longer at a location than anticipated. Your host will have water and snacks for you while in the field but suggests planning carefully by purchasing food for lunch on days we will not have access to a store or a restaurant. Please let us know if you have food allergies or a medical condition that might conflict with our snack choice. We will do our best to accommodate your needs. Bring a refillable water bottle.
Places high on our list to photograph are:
Maltese Cross Cabin
Wind Canyon
Cannon Ball Concretions
Wild horses
Caprock Coulee
Scoria Point
Oxbow Overlook
Buck Hill prairie
The town of Medora
Other wildlife we find!
DISCLAIMER: This workshop is designed for the nature photographer. We will spend time in areas with the best photographic possibilities. Conditions in the field will vary. There will be a small amount of hiking on boardwalks, over rocky area but mostly on level, well-worn paths. We will photograph breathtaking landscapes and wildlife such as wild horses, prairie dog, pronghorn antelope, bison, mule deer, birds, flora and more. We will concentrate on getting the best possible images while adhering to responsible wildlife guidelines set forth by the National Park Service. June is a perfect month to see newborn animals and we will be extra careful not to disturb our subjects.
DETAILS
PRICE: $495 per person, two days – Open to 8 participants (Minimum of 4 participants necessary at the quoted price. Note: In the event, there less than 4 participants, a small group supplement of $100 may be added to the price above for each person.)
Start date/time: Thursday, June 16, 2022, 4:30 AM End date/time: Friday, June 17, 2022, Sunset
Deposit: Full price is due now. Make your payment out to Sandra Lee Photography and either mail to 15864 Severino Lane, Valley Center, CA 92082 or call 760-749-2174 to process your credit card. Visa, MasterCard, check and money order are all acceptable forms of payment.
What is included:
- Trip leader/instructor, Sandy Zelasko, who will work to get you in the right place at the right time for stunning imagery.
- Multiple field sessions, personal photographic instruction and image reviews as schedule permits.
- 25+ years of instructional experience, insured, licensed, CPR/AED/First Aid certified and a National Park permit holder.
- Snacks and water during the workshop. (Please bring a reusable water bottle.)
- An enthusiastic, passionate and experienced nature photographer pro at your side!
Not included:
- Lodging, airfare to/from Medora, ND, transportation throughout the workshop and meals. Participants are urged to ride-share to shooting locations.
- Theodore Roosevelt NP entry fees. Please bring your America the Beautiful or senior pass that will cover your entry fee. Vehicle $20, valid for 7 days, Individual $10 pp 16 and older, valid for 7 days. If you ride-share, one pass will cover four passengers in one vehicle. (National Park fee may change.)
- Trip insurance. You are encouraged to purchase trip insurance in case of an unforeseen emergency which requires you to cancel.
Cancellation policy:
- Cancellations 75 days prior to workshop, full refund, less $50 processing fee.
- Cancellations made between 74-46 days prior to workshop, forfeit deposit.
- Cancellations made 45 days from the start of the workshop are non-refundable.
RESOURCES
To help plan your trip, visit the Theodore Roosevelt National Park website at https://www.nps.gov/thro/index.htm. Workshop dates were selected so that participants may have an opportunity to explore additional attractions in and around the South Dakota and North Dakota area. Below are a few helpful links for planning your trip.
Lodging suggestions:
- Visit https://medora.com/stay/ for a list of lodging options.
Additional attractions in the North Dakota region:
- Medora Musical - https://medora.com/medoramusical/
NOTE: The Medora Musical, live performance, show begins at 7:30PM (seating at 6:45PM).
If you are interested in seeing the musical please reserve your tickets in advance at the link above
or by calling 1-800-MEDORA1. This musical is highly acclaimed and will be a fun touch adding even more
memories to your trip!
- North Dakota State Parks - http://www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/parksmenu.html
Suggested packing:
- Bring a laptop with photo editing software. (A more extensive packing list will be sent upon registration.)
- Suggested packing and equipment list will be available upon receiving your deposit.
These pages contain lots of information. If you have questions, please feel free to call. Sandy can be reached at 760-749-2174. Thank you!
Sandy Zelasko, DBA Sandra Lee Photography is an authorized permittee with the National Park Service and maintains a CUA Permit in Badlands National Park for the purpose of field guided photography instruction.
Thanks for looking. Hope to see you on a photo workshop adventure soon!