Join wildlife photographer Sean Weekly on the shores of Lake Kerkini as we enjoy the myriad of species that reside here during the spring and the abundant photographic opportunities they provide.
Situated in the very north of Greece close to the border with Bulgaria and North Macedonia, the tranquil waters and serene shoreline of Lake Kerkini are a haven for a multitude of bird species throughout the year. However, it is during the spring months that the lake starts to thrive with hundreds of migratory and resident birds descending on its waters and shores turning it into a paradise for wildlife photography once again.
During our spring itinerary, we spend four nights at a comfortable family-run hotel located just a short walk from the shore of Lake Kerkini. This length of stay allows us to maximise our time exploring the lake and photographing the wildlife that lives here and make the most of the varying light conditions. We will be able to use a variety of photographic techniques such as macro, portrait imagery, wide angle, bird in-flight and more. We are accompanied throughout by wildlife photographer Sean Weekly who will be on hand to provide photographic tuition and will also run masterclasses on composition, light, post-processing and Lightroom at the hotel.
Dalmatian pelican, black-crowned night heron, great and pygmy cormorant, Eurasian spoonbill, squacco heron, and European bee-eater are just a few of the photogenic species we could encounter during our time by Lake Kerkini. There is also an intriguing array of mammals, reptiles and amphibians to capture images of including coypu, marsh frog and eye-catching Balkan green lizard.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1:
Arrive Thessaloniki & transfer to Lake Kerkini
We arrive at Thessaloniki where we are met and transferred to our accommodation near the shores of Lake Kerkini. The drive takes approximately three hours and we check-in at our hotel on arrival. Depending on when we reach the hotel, there may be time to make the short walk down to the shoreline of Lake Kerkini and take in this remarkable location and its wildlife for the first time.
Accommodation: Oikoperigitis Hotel, 4-nights
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Days 2-4
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Photographic sessions at Lake Kerkini
Over the course of the next three days, we enjoy a series of photographic sessions to capture images of the numerous bird species and other wildlife that we come across at Lake Kerkini.
Whilst we aim to be as flexible as possible with our itinerary to make the most of the different light conditions and the sightings that we have, we will typically start the day with an early morning boat trip on the lake to photograph the various birds that inhabit this beautiful area. The boat trips will provide us with various photographic opportunities including portraits, wide angle and capturing different birds in flight. We spend the majority of this morning out on the water before returning to the hotel for a late breakfast.
In the heat of the day, we’ll enjoy a two-hour master class with Sean, focusing on various topics including tuition on light, composition, Lightroom and post-production work.
Afternoon excursions will include additional boat trips on the lake, experiencing different light conditions to the morning and the birds returning to roost, as well as visits to a neighbouring area of wetland where it is possible to photograph coypu, a large semiaquatic rodent that whilst not native to the region, does make a very photogenic and intriguing subject for our images.
On one morning we’ll venture to the banks of the River Struma which feeds Lake Kerkini. Here hundreds of migratory European bee-eaters make their nests and with the use of pop-up hides, we will be able to photograph these beautiful birds perching, flying, feeding on the wing and courting with their respective partners including food offerings. We will also visit a reliable site for Balkan green lizard and common lizard which are often seen basking on the hot rocks. Splitting into smaller groups there should be plenty of photographic opportunities here allowing us to use both our macro and telephoto lenses.
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Day 5:
Return to Thessaloniki & departure
It's an early start this morning in time for breakfast before our return transfer to Thessaloniki and we depart on our return flights.
Please note: Please note that the itinerary is flexible and may change due to wildlife sightings, weather and light conditions.
