Wild Nebraska Photography Adventure
Highlights
This experience is designed around creating a meaningful portfolio of images centered on three distinct prairie grassland species—Sandhill Cranes, Greater Prairie-Chickens, and Sharp-tailed Grouse—during a brief and visually rich window of migration and courtship season.
Hands-on photography instruction from two award-winning, professional nature photographers: Alyce Bender, a Tamron Ambassador, and Jennifer Leigh Warner, a Nikon Professional
The itinerary includes 8 blind sessions carefully built into the week to maximize opportunities for behavior, atmosphere, and a diverse body of work across multiple species and settings.
Spend time immersed in the often overlooked yet remarkably rich grassland ecosystems of Nebraska, where spring brings together migration, courtship displays, and the subtle beauty of the Great Plains.
With a maximum of 6 participants, this small-group format creates space for individualized guidance, stronger access to instruction, and a more intentional pace both in the blinds and throughout the tour.
Dates Mar 5 - April 02, 2028 8 Day/7 Nights
Cost 2027: $5625 Deposit: 50% Single Supplement: $1200
Physical Requirements Easy
- Sitting still for 4+ hours without restroom access
- Walk 0.5 miles over uneven ground using headlamp with gear
Max Group Size Maximum 6 participants for a 3:1 ratio with instructors.
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This week-long Nebraska bird photography tour is designed for photographers who want more than a checklist of sightings. Timed for one of the most dynamic windows of the spring season, this Wild Nebraska Photo Adventure focuses on building a compelling portfolio around three distinct prairie species—Sandhill Cranes, Greater Prairie-Chickens, and Sharp-tailed Grouse. Each year, more than one million Sandhill Cranes in Nebraska gather along the Platte River Valley to rest and refuel before continuing north, creating one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on the continent, while nearby grasslands come alive with the courtship displays of prairie grouse.
Join Tamron Ambassador Alyce Bender and Nikon Professional Jennifer Leigh Warner in the heart of the American grasslands for a Nebraska bird photography workshop that combines the grandeur of the crane migration with the intimate drama of lekking birds. With access to blinds positioned with photographers in mind and timed for beautiful morning light and peak activity, this spring bird photography tour in Nebraska is designed to help you create stronger, more thoughtful wildlife images during a brief and remarkable seasonal window.
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Day 1 - Arrival in Omaha & Transfer to Kearney
Please plan to arrive at Eppley Airfield in Omaha, Nebraska, by 2:00 PM. From there, we will begin our drive west to Kearney, positioning ourselves for our first field sessions the following day.
That evening, we will gather for a welcome dinner where you will meet your instructors, get to know the rest of the group, and discuss what to expect during the week ahead. We will also go over key field practices for working from photography blinds, including etiquette, safety, and how to photograph responsibly without disturbing the birds.
Day 2 – Sandhill Crane Blinds & Platte River Photography
Our first full day in the field begins early with a morning session focused on Sandhill Crane photography in Nebraska. We will spend the dawn hours photographing cranes from blinds as they move on and off the Platte River, one of the most remarkable spring migration staging areas in North America.
Later in the day, we will photograph cranes feeding in nearby agricultural fields as they refuel for the next leg of their migration. In the evening, we will return to the river corridor for another crane session, taking advantage of changing light, movement, and the atmosphere that builds as birds gather toward roost.
Day 3 - Greater Prairie-Chicken Lek & Evening Crane Blind
This morning, we shift from river to prairie as we head out before dawn for our first Greater Prairie-Chicken lek photography session. Watching these birds display on the grasslands in the first light of day is one of the most distinctive experiences of spring bird photography in Nebraska.
Midday, we will spend time in the surrounding area photographing additional species that often gather here during migration, including Snow Geese, Sandhill Cranes, and Bald Eagles. In the evening, we return to the crane blinds for another opportunity to photograph birds as they come and go along the Platte River. These will be long but rewarding days, so plan accordingly for either an early or later dinner.
Day 4 - Sandhill Crane Blinds & Field Photography
Today returns our focus to Sandhill Cranes, allowing another full day to work with this extraordinary migration. As on Day 2, we will photograph from blinds in the morning and evening, while also spending time in the fields during the middle of the day to capture feeding behavior, environmental scenes, and whatever additional opportunities the conditions provide.
Repeated sessions with cranes are intentional. They allow us to work with changing light, behavior, weather, and composition so that your portfolio reflects more than a single encounter.
Day 5 - Prairie-Chickens & Transfer to North Central Nebraska
We begin the day with another early morning session focused on Greater Prairie-Chickens, building on what we learned during our first lek experience and giving participants another chance to strengthen both their images and their field approach.
After the morning session, we will begin the drive north into north central Nebraska, where the second half of the tour unfolds. Our destination is a landscape of rolling grasslands near the Niobrara River, where we will settle into accommodations on a 5,000-acre wildlife sanctuary and prepare for the next phase of the Photo Adventure.
Meals included: Dinner
Day 6 - Sharp-tailed Grouse Leks & the Nebraska Grasslands
Before dawn, we head into the prairie to be in position before sunrise for our first Sharp-tailed Grouse photography session. These lek mornings are among the highlights of the tour, with displaying males dancing, posturing, and interacting as the grasslands slowly come to life around us.
We will spend four or more hours in the blinds, with photography time depending on weather and bird activity. Blinds are positioned for photographers, with the morning sun rising behind us for optimal light. In addition to Sharp-tailed Grouse, there is often the chance to photograph Western Meadowlarks, Horned Larks, and occasionally Greater Prairie-Chickens as well.
After the lek session, we return to our accommodations for a hearty brunch and time to warm up. Afternoon sessions are more relaxed and optional, giving us the chance to explore the sanctuary for additional photographic opportunities, whether that means landscapes, macro subjects, birds, or mammals. Dinner is shared as a group, with time for conversation, image review, and preparation for the following morning.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 7 - Another Morning with Sharp-tailed Grouse
Our second full day in north central Nebraska gives us another early morning opportunity with Sharp-tailed Grouse, allowing time to refine our approach and build a stronger, more varied set of images. As with the previous day, we will be in the blinds well before sunrise to be ready when activity begins.
Having multiple sessions with a target species often makes a meaningful difference. Rather than feeling rushed to capture everything in one outing, participants have the opportunity to respond to changing conditions, improve technique, and create a more complete portfolio.
The afternoon remains flexible and optional, with time to continue exploring the sanctuary, rest, review images, or simply take in the character of this underappreciated grassland ecosystem.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 8 - Return to Omaha & Departure
On our final day, we will depart early for the drive back to Omaha. Because this is a longer travel day, please book departing flights no earlier than 4:00 PM from Omaha.
Before saying goodbye, we will make one final stop for a group lunch and a chance to reflect on the week’s experiences, images, and all that we have seen across Nebraska’s rivers and grasslands.
Meals included: Breakfast
Post-Workshop Zoom Image Critique
We will have the group image critique session after the workshop ends date TBD mutually by group.
*Single Supplement does not guarantee private bath on nights 5, 6, & 7 due to type of lodging available.
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Ground Transportation in NE during Tour
In-field Photography Instruction w/Alyce Bender and Jennifer Warner
7 Nights Lodging w/shared baths
Listed Meals
Coffee, Tea, Water
8 Blind Sessions
1 Wildlife Sanctuary History/Ecology Tour
Post-tour Zoom Image Critique Session
All Entrance Fees & Permits
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Transportation to/from your home to Omaha, NE
Any Meals, Snacks, and Beverages not listed
Any pre- or post-tour NE lodging or transportation
Personal Purchases
Guide & Instructor Gratuities
Meet Your Instructors
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Windproof outer shell jacket and rain pants
Layers of very warm clothing as spring mornings in the region can be below freezing and there winds come through the blinds as well.
Waterproof hiking boots. Helps with wind and keeping feet warm.
Warm hat and gloves that you can photograph while wearing.
Wool and/or electric socks as we will not be able to stand or move around during our time in the blind.
If, you get cold easily, consider bringing a personal blanket as well.
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Windproof outer shell jacket and rain pants
Layers of very warm clothing as spring mornings in the region can be below freezing and there winds come through the blinds as well.
Waterproof hiking boots. Helps with wind and keeping feet warm.
Warm hat and gloves that you can photograph while wearing.
Wool and/or electric socks as we will not be able to stand or move around during our time in the blind.
If, you get cold easily, consider bringing a personal blanket as well.