Wings Over Water: Sunrise Shorebirds, Fishing Raptors & Leading Lines at Matanzas Inlet
Leader: Todd Nettelhorst
WEDS 6:00 - 9:30A.M. 
Meeting Location: Matanzas Inlet Beach – East Parking Lot, 8690 A1A S
Ticket Price: $125
Difficulty Level: All Levels
Max No People: 10
Sunrise at Matanzas Inlet is pure magic—soft light, shifting tides, and nonstop opportunities for clean, dramatic wildlife frames. In this immersive in-field workshop, Todd will guide you through the two big wins that separate “good bird shots” from portfolio-worthy coastal images:
1. Behavior + action (shorebirds feeding, taking off, interacting—and raptors hunting), and
2. composition that looks intentional (leading lines, wave patterns, low-tide textures,
reflections, and layered backgrounds).
You’ll work the shoreline as the light builds, learning how to anticipate movement and position yourself for the best angles—whether you’re capturing Least Terns and Royal Terns in flight, or osprey and eagles actively fishing. We’ll also incorporate sunrise landscape techniques that elevate wildlife images using the curve of the shoreline, receding wave lines, and low-tide patterns to create frames with depth, direction, and drama. This session is built for all levels. If you’re newer, you’ll leave with reliable settings and a repeatable approach. If you’re experienced, Todd will help you refine your timing, clean backgrounds, and storytelling frames for a stronger keeper rate
Gear List: 
• Camera: DSLR / Mirrorless / latest smartphone
• Lens: Telephoto 200mm+ (300–600mm ideal for birds/raptors)
• Teleconverter (optional, helpful for reach)
• Filters: CP / ND (optional—CP for glare/reflections, ND for creative motion)
• Cable release / remote (optional—useful for slower shutter creative wave motion)
• Fast memory cards + extra batteries
• Optional: binoculars + field guide (helpful for locating/ID and behavior spotting)