TEXAS WHOOPING CRANES
JAN. 8TH-11TH, 2027
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Witness one of North America’s greatest conservation success stories through your lens. Each winter, the last wild flock of endangered whooping cranes returns to the quiet marshes of the Texas Gulf Coast—a fragile population that has rebounded from fewer than 20 birds in the 1940s to just hundreds today. Standing nearly five feet tall, these striking white birds with crimson crowns are among the most iconic and sought-after wildlife photography subjects in the world.
On this immersive photography experience, you’ll join acclaimed wildlife photographer Jennifer Leigh Warner for rare, close encounters with these extraordinary birds in their wintering grounds at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.
A highlight of the tour is a private charter boat, allowing us to access shallow coastal estuaries where whooping cranes forage for blue crabs. Photograph them at eye level as they move gracefully through golden morning light, their reflections shimmering in calm waters. These intimate, unobstructed perspectives create the kind of images few photographers ever have the opportunity to capture.
We’ll also spend time in a private photography blind, offering the chance for frame-filling portraits and natural behavior—preening, calling, and interacting—without disturbance.
A whooping crane catches a blue crab at the aransas wildlife refuge in Texas during the Whooping Crane Festival. Image copyrighted and owned by Jennifer Leigh Warner www.experiencewildlife.com
Beyond the cranes, the Texas Gulf Coast offers an incredible diversity of winter wildlife. From elegant shorebirds to charismatic mammals, every day presents new photographic opportunities. You may encounter:
- Sandhill Cranes in large, vocal flocks
- Roseate Spoonbills glowing pink in the sunlight
- Brown and White Pelicans gliding low over the water
- Crested Caracaras and American Kestrels perched in open grasslands
- Dolphins surfacing alongside our boat
- White-tailed Deer, Javelina, and even Nine-banded Armadillos
This tour is designed not just for sightings—but for meaningful photographic moments. With expert guidance, small group size, and carefully curated access, you’ll come away with a portfolio that reflects both the beauty of the species and the story behind their survival.
About your leader…
Jennifer Leigh Warner is a fine art conservation wildlife photographer, writer, public speaker and workshop leader, living in Central Texas and specializes in creating meaningful images that conveys a message of hope for the natural world. Jennifer feels strongly that by sharing these images of beautiful animals in their natural environment, she can inspire those around her to preserve the world that we share with all living creatures.
Jennifer is a Certified Texas Master Naturalist, an Ambassador for Nature First and is on the Board of Directors for the North American Nature Photographers Association as well as serves as their chair of the Ethics Committee.
Jennifer works closely with conservation organizations to help support their missions to protect wildlife and the world around us. She believes that photography is a powerful tool to share these stories, educate photo viewers on important topics and inspire change.
Jennifer’s work has been published in Outdoor California Magazine, Gizmodo, the NANPA Expressions Magazine, Outdoor Photographer Magazine, WIRED, The New Yorker, National Geographic Online and Wild Planet Photo Magazine among others.
5 Participants
$3,295 (single room)
A deposit is required to reserve space with final payment due approximately three months prior to departure.
ITINERARY
JAN. 8TH-11TH, 2027
Day 1 – Arrival & Welcome (Jan 8)
Your journey begins as you arrive in Corpus Christi, where you’ll be warmly welcomed and transferred to our charming coastal base in Rockport. After settling in, we’ll gather for a relaxed introductory briefing to review the days ahead, followed by a welcome dinner—your first opportunity to connect with fellow photographers and set the tone for an inspiring few days on the Texas Gulf Coast.
Day 2 – Whooping Cranes by Boat & Blind (Jan 9)
We start the day with a highlight of the tour—a private boat charter into the Aransas Wildlife Refuge, where we’ll photograph endangered whooping cranes in their natural habitat. Watch for them as they forage in the shallow estuaries, often feeding on blue crabs in beautiful morning light.
After a midday break to rest and recharge, we’ll head to a private photography blind, offering intimate, eye-level encounters. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to capture detailed portraits and natural behavior of whooping cranes, along with sandhill cranes and white-tailed deer.
Day 3 – Coastal Birding & Port Aransas (Jan 10)
Today we explore some of the region’s best birding hotspots around Rockport, searching for a variety of coastal species in ever-changing light and habitats.
In the afternoon, we’ll take a short ferry ride to Port Aransas, where new photographic opportunities await. Expect to photograph species such as black-necked stilts, osprey, pelicans, and the striking roseate spoonbill. And for those lucky enough, there’s even a chance of spotting the rare and unexpected—an American flamingo.
Day 4 – Final Light & Departure (Jan 11)
On our final morning, we return to the Aransas Wildlife Refuge for one last opportunity to photograph whooping cranes in the soft coastal light. Keep your eyes open for additional wildlife, including crested caracaras, kestrels, armadillos, javelina, spoonbills, and even American alligators.
After a farewell lunch, we’ll transfer back to Corpus Christi for your afternoon departures—leaving with not only beautiful images, but a deeper connection to one of North America’s most remarkable wildlife success stories.
RESERVE SPACE
INCLUDED
- Three nights accommodations in Rockport, Texas
(Private room for each guest — no single supplement required) - Private boat charter into Aransas National Wildlife Refuge for up-close photography of endangered whooping cranes
- Exclusive access to a private photography blind for intimate, eye-level wildlife encounters
- All ground transportation throughout the tour, including airport transfers from Corpus Christi
- Expert guidance and photography instruction from professional wildlife photographer Jennifer Leigh Warner
- Welcome dinner on the first evening
- Small group experience (maximum of 5 participants) for personalized attention and optimal shooting opportunities
- Pre-trip zoom meeting
EXCLUDED
- Airfare to/from Corpus Christi, Texas
- Meals aside from welcome dinner
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Gratuities
- Park entrance fees ($3/day or free with National Park Pass)
ACTIVITY LEVEL
This tour is designed to be comfortable and accessible for most participants, with a focus on maximizing photography opportunities rather than physical exertion.
- Most photography takes place close to vehicles, on a boat, or from a private blind, with minimal walking required
- Short walks on flat, even terrain (generally less than 1 mile at a time) may be necessary to access certain locations
- Participants should be able to step in and out of a boat and navigate short distances on uneven ground such as sand, grass, or marsh edges
- Periods of standing for extended time (up to 1–2 hours) may be required while photographing
- Early mornings and full days in the field are part of the experience
This tour is suitable for photographers with a reasonable level of mobility and balance. If you have any questions about whether this trip is a good fit for you, we’re happy to discuss your individual needs.