Upcoming Events › Excursions

Get ready to experience an avian adventure with Houston Audubon at Houston Audubon’s Raptor and Education Center in Southeast Houston. We will take a 90 minute tour which includes up-close encounters with the raptors at the center, presentation in the Bayou Barn, and guided hike to Sims Bayou. This is a one-of-a kind opportunity to take some amazing close-up images of rehabilitated owls, ospreys, falcons & hawks who were unable to return to the wild due to their injuries. Bringing along a 50mm lens will be helpful when taking photos of the birds of prey. However a telephoto lens may be helpful as we take a hike to Sims Bayou.

Be prepared for some amazing fast action pictures which means you get to experiment with Shutter Speeds! This will be a great opportunity to test out your action photography skills, with some dynamic pictures of motorcycles tearing up the track. You should definitely expect to use a telephoto lens (above 50mm) to give you the flexibility to zoom closer. You can also bring a circular polarizer filter to cut down on glare in your outdoor photos. We will meet in the parking area near the Dealership onsite. You MUST WEAR A FLORESCENT T-SHIRT or a bright safety vest that can easily be purchased from an Academy or Walmart. If you are not wearing one of these two things you will not gain access to the track. Instead you will have to stand on the side-lines. If an event is taking place we will not be allowed inside the track area. You will also be asked to sign an accident liability waiver before you can gain access to the track. Since this is an outdoor event there is always a chance of bad weather. If we are rained out, this excursion will be rescheduled. Please arrive 20 minutes early so we can all talk about our camera settings and sign the necessary release forms beforehand.

We are headed to Brazos Bend to take pictures of the Birds and Alligators. This is perfect timing for nesting birds and active alligators. Make sure to bring your long telephoto lenses with you on this trip so you can stand at a distance to photography your subjects. A macro can also be helpful for any small detailed subjects you come across. You can also bring a monopod which will help you stabilize yourself when you zoom in really far or get really close to the subject. Another suggestion would be to bring along your Circular Polarizer. Depending on the conditions you may use the Polarizer to remove water reflections or reduce washed out skies. We will meet at Brazos Bend in the parking area near the restroom facility at Elm Lake. Please arrive 20 minutes early so we can all talk about our camera settings beforehand. Since this is an outdoor event there is always a chance of bad weather. If we are rained out, this excursion will be rescheduled. Please arrive 20 minutes early so we can all talk about our camera settings and sign the necessary reslease forms beforehand.

Let's tour the Haak Winery/Vineyard! This will give you a chance to see the beautiful craft of wine making from the vines to the barrels. Take your time exploring the vineyard grounds. You will discover a variety of photo opportunities including landscapes, intricate nature, dark indoor cellars, etc. You will also have the choice to take part in a wine tasting. You must be at least 21 years old to attend this Excursion. If you plan on tasting wine be sure to make arrangements for safe transportation. Additional Fees (Not Included): If you wish to take part in the wine tasting the cost is $10 per person. You are welcome to bring a non-participating guest with you to this excursion. Please arrive 10 minutes early so we can all talk about our camera settings beforehand. Since this is an outdoor event there is always a chance of bad weather. If we are rained out, this excursion will be rescheduled.

This Excursion begins at the famous Sabine St. Bridge where we will have a gorgeous view of downtown Houston at sunset. Here we will encounter the challenges of photography at sunset at the light contstantly changes into dark. Once the sun is below the horizon, we will begin a stroll through the beautiful sidewalks along buffalo bayou. Photographying the nicely lit waterway, bridge ways of I-45 above us and the Aquarium Farris wheel. You will benefit from bringing a Wide angle lens (below 50mm), a tripod to help stabilize the camera for slow shutter speeds, and a remote if you own one. Parking at Sabine St. Bridge is limited so you should plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early to find parking and so we can all talk about our camera settings beforehand. Please arrive 20 minutes early to discuss camera settings. Since this is an outdoor event there is always a chance of bad weather. If we are rained out, this excursion will be rescheduled.

The Houston Cistern is one of Houston's hidden gems that should be on your bucket list. Let's explore this retired waterway with our camera. Located near the Sabine Street Bridge, the cistern is a retire reservior that has been opened to the public. This beautiful structure is an impressive 1.5 footballs fiels in size. Get ready to use your tripod to take pictures of this dimly lit relic using slow shutter speeds. We will have 30 minutes to walk the entire length of the Cistern. Be sure to arrive 30 minutes early so we can talk about camera settings a nd be fully prepared. The tour lasts only 30 minutes, so we are limited on the amount of time we are allotted to take our pictures.

The National Museum of Funeral History was founded in 1992 to collect and preserve the history of the the funeral industry, including how it began and how it has evolved over time. This museum features a broad spectrum of funeral-related topics ranging from the ancient embalming rituals of Egypt to remembering celebrities and public figures and a collection of vintage hearses. This will be a fascinating opportunity to photograph some interesting relics that go hand-in-hand with the spirit of Halloween. A lens that allows to create a small depth of field will be a nice choice to allow you to get creative with your depth of field. A wide angle lens can also be useful when taking photos indoors where you are restricted on space. Please arrive 20 minutes early to discuss camera settings.