SAX ZIM BOG – BIRDS, MAMMALS, and NORTHERN LIGHTS
Jan. 30th- Feb. 2nd, 2026
3 Spaces Available!
Jan. 30th- Feb. 2nd, 2026
Sax Zim Bog
Head to the woods and meadows of northern Minnesota to enjoy photographing a wide variety of birds that migrate to the vast bog, marsh, woodland and meadow habitats of this region each winter.
The timing correlates with the arrival of migrating birds from northern regions, including a wide variety of finches and owls.
This workshop is ideal for those interested in learning about and photographing the birds of northern Minnesota. Potential species may include great gray owls, hawk owls, snowy owls, barred owls, common redpolls, ruffed grouse, pine grosbeak, boreal chickadees, black-capped chickadees and many more. There are also potential opportunities for mammals, including moose, wolves, pine marten, bobcat and red fox.
The Bog incorporates an interesting mix of nearly 300 square miles of black spruce and tamarac bog, upland aspen and maple forests, floodplain forest, sandy upland pine stands, rivers, lakes, farms, meadows and towns.
The northern lights are also on a strong patten for the next couple of years so we will keep an eye on the forecast for potential evening outings to photograph this unique nighttime activity for photographers.
About Your Leader…..
Dawn Wilson is a professional and award-winning nature photographer specializing in images and stories about wildlife of high latitudes and high altitudes of the Rocky Mountains and Alaska. With more than 600 bylined articles and photo credits, Dawn’s text and photography has appeared in numerous regional and national publications, including Colorado Life, Colorado Outdoors, Wyoming Wildlife, Outdoor Photographer, MotorHome magazine, Nature’s Best Photography, and many others. In addition to her editorial work, Dawn leads multiple workshops each year in North and South America to photograph wildlife, such as brown bears in Alaska and birds of Louisiana. She also leads photo tours in Rocky Mountain National Park. She served two terms as President of the North American Nature Photography Association and has been the co-host of The Nature Photographer Podcast. Learn more at dawnwilsonphotography.com.
5 Participants
$2,300
$300 single supplement
Jan. 30th- Feb. 2nd, 2026
Day 1 (Jan. 30th)
- Dawn will meet the group at the airport (DLH) to pick up luggage and take everyone to our lodging in Duluth.
- We will start the workshop by meeting at noon on Friday to have lunch at Texas Roadhouse near our hotel.
- After lunch, we will head out to Sax-Zim Bog, about a one-hour drive north of Duluth, to look for the owls and songbirds of the area, including great gray owls, hawk owls, boreal owls, boreal chickadees, snowy owls and pine grosbeaks.
- We will return to Duluth for a group dinner at Olive Garden near our hotel.
- Dawn will be on point to watch the forecast and weather for Northern Lights that evening. If conditions are favorable, we will venture out north of the city to a lake.
Day 2 (January 31st)
- This morning will start with a sunrise shoot, if the weather is favorable and if we were not out too late for Northern Lights the prior evening, in Sax-Zim Bog near one of the farms. After sunrise, we will explore the Bog to look for birds and wildlife. Possibilities include bobcats, moose, marten, great gray owls, ruffed grouse, hawk owls, black-backed woodpeckers, and more. We will be out until midday when we will stop for lunch at Wilbert Café in Cotton.
- After lunch, we will head back into the Bog to continue looking for birds. During this afternoon, we will stop at the feeders at the visitor center for an hour or two before heading back out to the roads in search of owls perking up in the late hours of the afternoon.
- After shooting, we will head back to Duluth for dinner at Valentini’s Italian restaurant near our hotel.
- Dawn will be on point to watch the forecast and weather for Northern Lights that evening. If conditions are favorable, we will venture out north of the city to a lake.
Day 3 (February 1st)
- This morning will start with a sunrise shoot, if the weather is favorable and if we were not out too late for Northern Lights the prior evening, in Sax-Zim Bog near one of the farms. After sunrise, we will explore the Bog to look for birds and wildlife. Possibilities include bobcats, moose, marten, great gray owls, ruffed grouse, hawk owls, black-backed woodpeckers, and more. We will be out until midday when we will stop for lunch at Wilbert Café in Cotton.
- After lunch, we will head back into the Bog to continue looking for birds. During this afternoon, we will stop at another set of feeders for an hour or two before heading back out to the roads in search of owls perking up in the late hours of the afternoon.
- After shooting, we will head back to Duluth for dinner at Famous Dave’s BBQ near our hotel.
- Dawn will be on point to watch the forecast and weather for Northern Lights that evening. If conditions are favorable, we will venture out north of the city to a lake.
Day 4 (February 2nd)
- This morning will start with a sunrise shoot, if the weather is favorable and if we were not out too late for Northern Lights the prior evening, along the shore of Lake Superior.
- After the morning shoot, we will stop for lunch at Duluth Grill for a wrap-up discussion about the weekend before heading to the airport (DLH).
Jan. 30th- Feb. 2nd, 2026
All payments are non-refundable unless a tour is cancelled due to under-enrollment, in which case you will receive a full refund of your initial deposit, or you may transfer your deposit to a future tour.
There will be no refunds if you need to cancel your trip for any reason.
In the event we need to cancel a tour due to natural disaster, pandemic, labor strikes, or any other situation that is beyond our control, there will be no refunds.
We strongly recommend purchasing trip insurance as soon as you book your trip, in most cases this will be your only recourse for a refund. Trip insurance that includes medical evacuation is required for all international tours.
- Accomodations
- All ground transportation
- Expert guiding service and photography mentoring
- Fellowship with women wildlife photographers
- Flights in and out of Duluth
- All meals (you will be eating together as a group)
- Trip insurance
Moderate. There is minimal hiking but abundant walking on flat surfaces on roadsides and boardwalks on this trip. Most photo locations on this trip will be roadside and near the vehicle. There is one boardwalk trail we will explore and some walking along the shore of Lake Superior. Elevation gain is minimal, with most of this trip happening from 700 to 1300 feet of elevation. The weather in northern Minnesota in February is cold and snowy, with average highs in the low 30s and average lows in the single digits. Storms pass through the area. Extremely warm winter gear is required — winter parka, hats, gloves, handwarmers, good boots, lined pants, etc.