Become a member of the Nature Photographers Network by July 31, 2001 and your name will be entered in a drawing for an all-expense paid* workshop weekend, courtesy of John and Cheryl Herbst! Winner will also receive a NPN Trekker jacket, a NPN Field Cap and 5 rolls of Fuji Provia 100F slide film. Winner will be selected by random drawing of all Nature Photographers Network members on August 1, 2001. NPN staff not eligible for drawing.

*Includes local transportation, food, lodging and workshop fee for one. Winner responsible for air transportation to and from Rapid City, SD.

Western South Dakota is a virtual paradise for the wildlife and nature photographer. It offers up an almost unending variety of landscape and wildlife photographic opportunities. Just outside of the town of Keystone in the southern Black Hills of South Dakota, you can join professional wildlife and nature photographer, John Herbst and explore the amazing number of ecosystems that exist within a few minutes drive.

Within two hours of John and Cheryl’s residence, you will find Devil’s Tower, Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park, Badlands National Park and unending vistas in the Black Hills and surrounding prairies. On any given day, it is possible to photograph bighorn sheep, mountain goats, bison, pronghorn, mule and whitetail deer along with smaller mammals such as red squirrels, prairie dogs and thirteen-lined ground squirrels. For the late evening shooter, northern flying squirrels can be photographed virtually every evening.

For the bird photographer, the possibilities are equally varied with opportunities to photograph sharptail grouse, upland sandpipers, meadowlarks and Merriam’s Turkeys. From John’s deck, you may have the opportunity to shoot red crossbills, evening grosbeaks, black-headed grosbeaks, pine siskins, blue jays, juncos, black-capped chickadees along with least chipmunks and red squirrels.

John designs his workshops for advanced amateur photographers who want ample opportunity to improve their shooting skills and to have the maximum opportunity to photograph as many species of wildlife or as many varied scenics as possible. These workshops are individualized to meet your needs and are not a “one size fits all” experience. They are scheduled on a “one on one” or “two on one” basis for maximum personalized instruction. The average workshop attendee shoots 20 to 30 rolls of film per day during these workshops.

In addition to the ample wildlife and nature photographic opportunities, arrangements can be made for you to learn more about the new and exciting digital photography era that has exploded upon us. Also, for the photographer who wants to market and sell their images, John will share his marketing and photographic business expertise with you.

These workshops begin Friday evenings and end late Sunday afternoons. Saturday and Sunday mornings will find you in the field before sunrise to catch those first golden rays of sunlight as they burst onto the prairie, mountain slopes and the wildlife that reside there. Field lunches are provided, as is all transportation while attending the workshop. Lodging is your responsibility, but John will assist in making arrangements.

So, if you are ready to expand and improve your wildlife and nature photography skills, e-mail John at grizjh@rapidnet.com and schedule your personalized workshop today. Bookings for the prime times in September through November book far in advance so to not be disappointed, make your reservation soon. The charge for these personalized workshops is $750 for one or $1000 for two. A $300 non-refundable deposit will reserve your workshop. For more information on what you can expect to see and photograph, check out John and Cheryl’s website.

We look forward to spending time photographing the wonders of nature with you here in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It is a photographic experience you will not soon forget and you will come away with many new photographic skills that allow you to enjoy those natural wonders even more.