BugShot Firefly

We will spend 5 days on Norton Creek with access to private property that has some of the best bioluminescent displays. We not only get to experience the synchronous firefly (Photinus carolinus) but we will also get to see blue ghost fireflies (Phausis reticulata), winter fireflies (Ellychnia corrusca), and larviform females. In total you can see 6-10 species of fireflies in June. Additionally, Glow worms, or phengodid beetle larvae and the glowing fungus gnats sometimes called Dismalites or Foxfire (Orfelia fultoni). This place is truly a magical location for bioluminescent insects!

Your registration for this workshop also includes a donation to Discover Life in America who has help organize and give us access to the private property.

Here is a link to google maps you can use for directions. We will send more info for directions as we get closer.

If you are interested in staying near the Fish House, where the workshop is located, Treehouse Grove is just up the road and several BugShot goers really loved staying there.

Getting There
Participants will arrive Wednesday the 12th of June 2024 and we will have a welcome introduction at 1:15pm at the fish house. We will get settled and have some introductory talks on fireflies and prepare for the first night of photographing the fireflies. The workshop will end Sunday morning (have to vacate the Fish House by 11a).

• Workshop is limited to 12 participants.

• Workshop is from Wednesday June 12th to Sunday June 16th.

• Workshop is based off of Norton Creek on private property to maximize your photographic experience.

Instructors: Alex Wild and John Abbott. (Please note: changes in instructors may be necessary depending on workshop enrollment or other reasons).

Topics include:
• Macro & microphotography equipment
• Night Photography
• Composition
• Firefly (and other insect) Natural History
• Working with live insects
• Time Lapse creation
• How to post process your night images

Equipment Recommendations Specific to Photographing Fireflies

Head lamp with red light

Tripod

Intervalometer (even if your camera has one built in, you may want to get an external one for ease of use in the field)

Fast lenses (f1.2-2.8), 35 mm, 50 mm and 85 mm focal lengths work well for scenic shots. Here are some specific lenses made for different cameras that you could consider:

– Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens

– Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens

– Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens

You may want to bring an ultrawide around 15mm or for some scenics.

Rain cover for equipment in the field.

Computer with LR and Photoshop, card reader. We will be learning how to process images, so this will be useful.

Equipment Recommendations for General Macro
At a minimum you will need to bring a camera and lenses capable of close-in photographs, as well as an off-camera flash. We recommend an SLR camera with a 1:1 or greater macro lens. Alternately, a set of extension tubes, bellows, or a reverse-mounted lens kit can provide suitable magnification. Point-and-shoot camera with a Raynox filter and flash mount are also acceptable. Please contact me if you have any questions about equipment. kendra@abbottnature.com

Clothing & Supplies
• Weather will be hot and humid with chances of rain. I would recommend breathable long pants and long sleeve shirt if you are going to be in the field.
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Water Bottle

If you have any questions you can contact kendra@abbottnature.com

Registration fee :
Workshop and meals, $1600
Housing not included, but we have 4 rooms (each with a bed and a bathroom) at the Fish House you can rent for $600 for the 5 days (can be added at checkout).

The fee for the workshop includes:
• Daily one-on-one and group instructions from Alex and John.
• Daily instruction on night and firefly/bioluminescent photography
• All meals from Wednesday dinner to Sunday Lunch

The fee for the workshop does NOT include:
Transportation to the fish house, alcohol, drinks and snacks outside of meals, souvenirs.

Cancellation policy is as follows:
– 90 days prior: 100% refund minus $300 cancellation fee
– 60 days prior: 50% refund minus $300 cancellation fee
– no refunds 30 days before workshop