October 2-9, 2011
(7 days, 6 nights)

Bob Rozinski and Wendy Shattil lead this 6-day voyage aboard the M/V Pacific Catalyst, a 76-foot classic wooden boat built in 1932 as the floating laboratory for the University of Washington. The ultimate "classroom," Catalyst carries 12 passengers in superb comfort and is equipped with a full complement of sea kayaks and a motorized inflatable to enable explorations both near and far. The use of sea kayaks allows us a more intimate, seal's-eye view of the marine world - the perfect platform for aspiring conservation photographers.

Our photography workshop will consist of six days exploring the San Juan Islands and the region of Samish and Padilla Bays off the coast of Washington state. Seabirds and shorebirds winter here, attracted by food-rich tidal rips between the islands and by the highly-productive waters of the estuaries that dot the coast. We should have excellent looks at murrelets, common murres, pigeon guillemots, harlequin ducks, scoters, cormorants, and many other species. We'll look for river otters and photograph harbor seals and Steller sea lions as we float by. Night will find us in a cozy anchorage amongst the islands, sharing our observations and photos while we savor a fine dinner and a glass of wine.

Price: $2550
Group Size: Maximum of 12
Trip Rating: Light to moderate activity

Price includes: 5 nights/6 days aboard the M/V Pacific Catalyst, 2 nights lodging ashore in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island (September 30 and October 6), all meals onboard, staterooms with private or shared facilities, the use of a motorized inflatable and kayaks, two group dinners in Friday Harbor, boat/hotel transfers, the services of our three photographer/naturalist leaders and the Catalyst's four-person crew, gratuities to the Catalyst's crew, all instruction and instructional materials, and a copy of the photo book.

The price quoted is per person based on double occupancy; a single supplement is required of participants preferring non-shared accommodations. This workshop begins and ends in Friday Harbor, Washington.

Need more information? Contact Wendy & Bob at wendy@dancingpelican.com or visit http://www.pacificcatalyst.com to learn more about the Pacific Catalyst. To register for this trip, contact Audrey Benedict, Cloud Ridge Naturalists email: cloudridgeadb@earthlink.net or website, http://www.cloudridge.org/