Holly Brown

The Bosque del Apache and White Sands tour was just fun! The snow geese and sandhill cranes were wonderful, there were thousands to see and the sounds were incredible. We had multiple chances to work on our photos of flying birds, so we kept Dan very busy helping with camera settings and composition. We had soft colors at daybreak and sundown, and the backgrounds in the Refuge were beautiful. White Sands was beautiful too, and it was surprisingly easy to hike around on the gypsum sand. Of course Tanya had a few extra surprises for us along the way to keep us educated and entertained, and having Jill along was an extra bonus. We had a great group of NE Explorers, met some wonderful locals, and enjoyed some great green chili burgers! It’s a fun tour and I hope to go again.

Once again Yellowstone in winter worked its magic. Over just a few days we had everything from sun to pelting snow storms, from brooding landscapes to snow-dusted animals. We had great fun with new Explorers coming to the Park for the first time and those making return visits. We kept Dan busy with questions and learning new camera features. We enjoyed all of it, including deep-dive snow angels, warmed with Dan’s best hot chocolate and fueled by Tanya’s famous sandwiches. As always, NE Explorers are the best!

Madagascar was fantastic , there are so many different animal species to see; so many unique and special lemurs, chameleons, trees and flowers. The Madagascar people were beautiful and welcoming. It is a fabulous place to see and one that was on my list for a long time. We had a great group of Explorers and kept Dan busy with camera questions with the changing light conditions in the forests and the fast-flying lemurs. We were able to visit places apart from the mainstream, and Tanya kept us moving smoothly through and between areas of the country that are still developing transportation infrastructure, which just added to the fun of the adventure. Madagascar was just as magical as its name implies!

The Svalbard trip was simply awesome, from the starting tour of Oslo to the incredible bears of the Arctic. We saw beautiful birds, reindeer (the tiny ones just right for Santa’s sleigh), inquisitive walrus, and of course those amazing white bears. We learned about the geology, geography, and history of the arctic and the discovery and exploration of the North Pole. Our expedition ship was stalwart and staffed with a great crew and expedition team. We had the pleasure of renewing friendships with NE Explorers we knew, and met new Explorers and even some “Wolfies.” Oh and the photo ops were constant (literally with that midnight sun!) and like no where else on Earth. Thanks again to Dan & Tanya for putting together another great photography tour!

This truly was an Ultimate Cat Experience. The lodges were awesome with beautiful vistas and private plunge pools to cool off between safaris. We had beautiful animals and birds to photograph and enjoy on every trip out. Leopards, lions, and cheetah fulfilled our Cat Experience. We enjoyed meeting other great NE Explorers, had excellent dinners under the starlit sky, and Tanya managed to add a tasting or two of great South African wine. Dan lead us out for a 3 AM photo shoot of the lunar eclipse, complete with an accompaniment of roaring lions, and was always available to help with composition and optimizing the light. It was another great NE photo tour.

Yellowstone is truly an amazing place anytime of the year, but to be there in winter provides a special glimpse into its many dimensions. With Dan’s eye, and the Bigfoot snow coach for a touch of warmth and comfort, we had a great adventure into winter wonderland. The animals were close and really quite cooperative, and we had many places, including Old Faithful and Norris Geyser Basin, all to ourselves. Dan really does make a mean cup of hot chocolate, and Tanya’s lunches were exceptional. We traded lots of information, and best of all, we had fun!

Romania is more than just a place; it is a vision of transformation. The country is beautiful and resilient; its people independent and incredibly self-sufficient. They openly shared their homes and their dreams; their smiles were instant and welcoming. The cross-section selected by Dan and Tanya was beautiful and educational. Photographic opportunities appeared virtually at every turn, enabling Dan to suggest which lenses to try and help with lighting challenges. Of course Tanya and Jill selected lovely local accommodations, adding to our experience. We greatly enjoyed this trip.

The Pantanal is amazing. The animals and birds are varied and beautiful, and wonderfully close to photograph. There were multiple opportunities to practice speed shots with flying birds, water shots with the otters, capybara, and cayman, and of course the incredible jaguars. This will always be a favorite place in the world for us.