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Eyes of the Amazon: Harpy Eagle Expedition (DRAFT)
Date: August 30 - September 7, 2026
$0
Join OM System Ambassador Lee Hoy and Brazilian photographer and biologist Ramon Cavalcanti as we photograph in the deep forests of Mato Grosso, a silent shadow glides above the canopy — the Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja), guardian of the Amazon skies. This exclusive workshop offers a rare opportunity to photograph a juvenile harpy and its parents from a nearby observation tower, positioned just steps away from their active nest.
Over four immersive days, guided by biologists and photographers, you’ll witness the raw beauty of the rainforest and capture powerful moments few have ever seen — the elegance of flight, the bond of parent and chick, the pulse of the wild itself. This is not just a workshop. It’s a meeting with the soul of the forest — and the chance to frame one of nature’s most majestic beings through your own lens.
During this expedition, we will search for the true rulers of the Amazonian sky — the great raptors that embody the power and mystery of the forest. At the top of this hierarchy is the Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja), the legendary predator of the canopy and one of the most impressive birds of prey on Earth. Alongside her, the Crested Eagle (Spizaetus ornatus) and the Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle (Morphnus guianensis) — the so-called False Harpy — reveal a different side of the rainforest’s majesty: silent, precise, and utterly mesmerizing in flight.
But the forest’s skies hold many other treasures. Colorful macaws, toucans, tanagers, woodpeckers, and an extraordinary diversity of smaller raptors share this vast mosaic of life. Each encounter becomes an opportunity to capture the movement, contrast, and character that define the Amazon’s avian world. This is not just a birding trip — it’s a journey into the living theater of the rainforest, where every wingbeat tells a story of survival, adaptation, and wild beauty.
What's Included
What's Included
- Pre-workshop Zoom session for prep and Q&A
- Accommodations for 8 nights (base price for double occupancy)
- Transportation and driver to and from Macapa International Airport, during the workshop within Brazil
- Lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 9
- In-field instruction focusing on OM System macro photography
- In-field post processing training for macro photography
- Post-workshop Zoom image critique
Mastering Macro Photography with OM System
Lee and Ramon have created a workshop to help you master macro photography!
- Learn the foundational elements of macro photography with macro and telephoto lenses.
- Program a custom mode(s) on your OM System camera for macro.
- Learn how to maximize your autofocus for macro photography.
- Learn how to use manual exposure mode for macro photography.
- Learn how to use TTL and manual flash exposure settings.
- Learn how to use supplemental lighting for macro photography.
- Learn how to use a wide angle lens for creative macro images.
- Learn how to photograph reptiles, amphibians, and insects during the day and night.
- Learn how to compose your macro images for maximum visual impact.
This workshop will primarily teach you macro photography with macro and telephoto lenses, flash, supplemental lighting, and natural light.
Workshop Itinerary
Day One
Day One
Arrival Day
- Participants Should Fly Overnight to Sau Paulo Or Brasilia and then catch an afternoon flight to Ilheus. We recommend a minimum of three hours between flights in Sau Paulo or Brasilia.
- Travel to Trilha do Pequi Preto for opening dinner and spend the night.
Day Two
Day Two
Trilha do Pequi Preto | Lagoa e Riacho
Afternoon to Night (15:30–22:30):
- Start with a late-afternoon trail at the headquarters of PESC,
- bordering a lagoon and a small stream.
- Level: Easy
- Habitat: Floodplain forest and aquatic margin zones.
- Likely observations: Lachesis muta (Surucucu-pico-de-jaca), Bothrops jararaca, and diverse amphibians active at dusk.
Dinner (21:00): At the lodge or field-style if activity remains high.
- Overnight: PESC headquarters.
Day Three
Day Three
Estrada da Tibina | Lago de Floresta (Setor Sul do PESC)
Afternoon to Night (15:30–23:00):
- Trail along an old forest road leading to a forest lake in the southern sector of PESC.
- Level: Easy technical
- Habitat: Terra firma forest near aquatic systems.
- Likely observations: Lachesis muta, aquatic turtles, forest cockroaches, and amphibians vocalizing along the lake
- margins.
Dinner (21:30): Picnic-style or after return, depending on activity.
Overnight: PESC southern sector field base.
Day Four
Day Four
Jardim dos Beija-Flores | Serra Central do PESC (Pingo de Ouro Day)
Morning (07:00–11:00):
- Early hike in montane forest to search for Atelopus sp. “pingo de ouro”, active during daylight hours.
- Level: Moderate technical
- Habitat: Serra and rocky stream systems in the central region of PESC.
- Likely observations: Atelopus sp. (yellow morph), Bothrops bilineatus smaragdinus, and diurnal reptiles.
Lunch (12:00): In the field or at headquarters.
Estrada da Tibina | Lago de Floresta (Setor Sul do PESC)
Afternoon to Night (15:30–23:00):
- Trail along an old forest road leading to a forest lake in the southern sector of PESC.
- Level: Easy technical
- Habitat: Terra firme forest near aquatic systems.
- Likely observations: Lachesis muta, aquatic turtles, forest cockroaches, and amphibians vocalizing along the lake margins.
Dinner (21:30): Picnic-style or after return, depending on activity.
Overnight: PESC southern sector field base
Day Five
Day Five
Trilha do Mangue Branco | APA Itacaré–Serra Grande
Afternoon to Night (16:00–22:00):
- Trail through mangrove–forest transition zones connecting the APA Itacaré–Serra Grande region.
- Level: Easy
- Habitat: Coastal forest ecotone with swampy patches.
- Likely observations: Snakes, amphibians, spiders, and occasional mammals.
Dinner (21:00): Riverside restaurant or lodge.
Overnight: Itacaré region.
Day Six, Seven & Eight
Day Six, Seven & Eight
Trilha do Pequi Preto | Lagoa e Riacho
Afternoon to Night (15:30–22:30):
- Start with a late-afternoon trail at the headquarters of PESC, bordering a lagoon and a small stream.
- Level: Easy
- Habitat: Floodplain forest and aquatic margin zones.
- Likely observations: Lachesis muta (Surucucu-pico-dejaca), Bothrops jararaca, and diverse amphibians active at dusk.
Dinner (21:00): At the lodge or field-style if activity remains high.
Overnight: PESC headquarters.
Day Nine
Day Nine
Morning Macro, Travel to Ilheus for Afternoon Flights Home
- Breakfast
- Morning Macro Photography on Grounds
- Finish Packing
- Departure to Ilhéus for afternoon flights home
- Flights should be no earlier than 3:00 PM departure
Workshop Highlights
Learn from an OM System Ambassador & Local Photographer
Lee has served as an OM System Ambassador since April 2019! Ramon is a professional biologist and photographer who has explored many areas of Brazil!
Learn How to Maximize Your Camera Settings for Macro Photography
Program a custom mode or modes for macro so that you quickly access the important settings for Autofocus, exposure, using flash, computational features like focus stacking or focus bracketing, and so much more!
Pre and Post Workshop Zoom Meetings to Facilitate the Learning Process
This workshop includes a group pre-workshop zoom meeting to help you prepare for the trip by discussing clothing, camera gear, accessories, travel suggestions, and more. It also includes a post workshop group zoom meeting for an image critique discussion for those who opt to share images for critique. Both sessions will be recorded and provided for repeated viewing.
Workshop is Located in an Area Where other Photographers Don't Go!
The state of Bahia offers some of the last remaining Atlantic rainforest habitat in Brazil! The macro photographer will discover some very rare and rarely photographed species!
Dates
The dates for the workshop are January 13 - 21, 2027.
Group Size
Minimum Number of Participants is 5, Maximum is 8.
Pricing
The price of the workshop is $6,249.00 with a $540.00 single supplement. The total is paid in full upon registration.*See sections above and below for what is included and not included.
Base Lodging
We will stay in basic lodging in towns near our destinations.
Meals
All meals from lunch on the first day, until breakfast on the final day is included.
Transportation
Participants will be greeted at the lhéus (IOS – Jorge Amado Airport) and transportation from the airport, during the workshop and the return trip to the airport.
Nearest Airport
Participants will need to fly into lhéus (IOS – Jorge Amado Airport). See below for note on airline travel.
Accommodation
Accommodations are basic but clean, air conditioned, and located conveniently to our photography locations.
Transportation
We will have our own driver and vehicle to transport us from the airport, to accommodations, and photography locations.
Pre-Workshop Zoom Meeting
The pre-workshop Zoom Meeting will be Wednesday, October 1st at 7:00 PM CST/8:00 PM EST. Participants will receive an email with the link within one week of the date of the meeting.
Air Transportation
There are daily flights from other key airports to the Jorge Amado Airport (IOS) in Ilheus. There are no direct international flights to Ilheus from the United States. Salvador–Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International Airport (SSA) offers the most daily fligths which take about 1 hour. Flights from São Paulo/Guarulhos–Governor André Franco Montoro International Airport (GRU) take about 2 hours and 15 minutes. And Belo Horizonte/Confins–Tancredo Neves International Airport (CNF) airport takes approximately 2 hours. Whichever airport in Brazil you choose to connect from, I personally prefer at least 3 hours between connections. Dealing with customs, language differences, and the like can add a lot of time to your transfer. GRU aiport is huge and takes a while to move through! When leaving, I prefer at least 2 (absolute minimum) between flights for a stress free experience. I still prefer three hours whether arriving or departing between flights in Brazil.
Participants should arrive in Ilheus by 2:00 pm for plenty of time to drive to our first destination. It will take about 45 minutes to an hour. Departing flights should NOT be booked prior to 3:00 p.m. to give us time for breakfast, morning shoot, packing, lunch, travel, and easy drop offs.
Cancellation Policy
Beginning December 1, 2025, I no longer offer cancellations on my workshops. If the photo workshop is full and someone from the waiting list can take your spot, your tuition is fully refundable minus a 15% cancellation fee.
We are not responsible for cancellations due to medical or other reasons. Should cancellation be required due to severe weather, an alternate date will be scheduled at no additional charges.
No fees will be refunded if you withdraw after the photo workshop begins.
We are not responsible for any fees associated with non-refundable air travel, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. For insurance quotes and estimates visit www.travelex.com.
Post Workshop Image Critique
The post workshop image critique will be held via Zoom on February 10, 2027. Participants will receive an email with the meeting link following the workshop.
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