Lake Kerkini Greece 2017

A photo workshop at Lake Kerkini can be many things, but with it will never be dull. Not when you have the Dalmatian Pelican as the main target.

The Dalmatian Pelican is a massive bird and is ranked among the largest living bird species. It is one of four living bird species with a wing span over 350cm. I hope you now understand the size of this big bird.

Lake Kerkini is one of the Dalmatian Pelican strongholds in Europe. As many other species this is also declining due to poaching and habitat loss. At Lake Kerkini National Park they have a haven where the fishermen help them during the winter. You will even find breeding platforms in order to encourage them to breed here.

Dalmatian Pelican in high key

The breeding plumage of a Dalmatian Pelican

The Dalmatian Pelican is normally dull looking compared to when in breeding plumage. That is why I go to Lake Kerkini in late January as the birds then are in breeding plumage. They have then gone from silvery-white to a brownish-grey cream color. The bill now has an orange-red lower mandible and pouch against a yellow upper mandible. In winter, the whole bill is a somewhat dull yellow. I think this fella is really nice looking in breeding plumage.

What to expect from a Dalmatian Pelican workshop

A workshop at Lake Kerkini will give you many photo opportunities and lots of pictures. We go out with a boat onto the lake each morning and afternoon, even on the day we leave. This will bring you good opportunities to work with different picture ideas. We also try to work with the birds from the shore as that gives you a lower angle. This will give you different approaches and the need to work with both tele lenses and wide angle lenses. I normally use 24-70mm or 70-200mm in the boat and over 300mm from the shore.

Please enjoy my Photo Album from Greece and if you are interested in next years workshop then contact me.

Photo Album: Lake Kerkini Greece 2017