Caddo Lake Wildlife & Fall Color Workshop
Caddo Lake Wildlife & Fall Color Workshop
Nov 12, 2026 to Nov 15, 2026
4 days
Limited to 10 participants
Other Dates Available
November 15 - 18, 2026
November 19 - 22, 2026
From shore and boat, we will have opportunities to capture the beautiful wildlife & quiet mystery of the second-largest non-oxbow natural lake in the south and one of the largest flooded cypress forests in the US.

Quick Facts

Skill Level i

All Levels

Fitness Level i

Very Easy

Terrain

Flat Walkways

Location

Uncertain TX

Tuition

$1,495

The Experience

Experience the quiet magic of Caddo Lake in autumn, where winding bayous, towering cypress trees, and glowing fall color create endless opportunities for dramatic images. This workshop includes five guided boat outings into the lake, plus a canoe opportunity for those who want an even more intimate view of this remarkable landscape. Along the way, you may photograph bald eagles, herons, egrets, and other wildlife, along with reflections, misty waterways, and beautiful sunrise and sunset light filtering through the trees. With small groups on each boat and an instructor alongside you, there is plenty of opportunity for personalized guidance on photographing birds in motion, working in foggy or low-contrast conditions, composing with reflections, and making the most of the rich color and atmosphere Caddo is known for. We will also visit nearby Jefferson, Texas, a historic town filled with charm, significance, and inviting spots for lunch. On the evening before departure, the group will gather for dinner around a campfire, sharing images, ideas, and good conversation before the workshop concludes at 10:00 a.m. the following morning.
Caddo Lake Wildlife & Fall Color Workshop

What You Will Learn

In the Field

  • Birds in flight
  • Wildlife approach and timing
  • Water-based compositions
  • Reflections and symmetry
  • Fog and contrast exposure
  • Filters for glare control
  • Focal length decisions
  • Intentional camera movement

Beyond the Capture

  • Editing fall colors
  • Editing wildlife images
  • Understanding bird behavior
  • Sunrise and sunset planning
  • Weather and mist forecasting
  • Crop and composition refinement
  • Noise reduction and sharpening
  • Color and tonal control

Through The Lens

Planning Your Trip

Nearest Airport

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) or Shreveport, LA

Lodging Suggestions

Vacation Rentals (Karnack TX), or Camping at Caddo Lake State Park (via Texas State Parks Website)

Transportation

Transportation to and from the workshop is via personal vehicles. During the workshop, where practical & possible, we will group together to reduce parking requirements.

What's Included:

  • Pre-workshop Zoom session
  • Post-workshop Zoom session
  • Water
  • One meal
  • Canoe rentals
  • Boat fees and tips
  • In-field instruction
  • Beyond-the-field instruction
  • Image critiques

What's Not Included:

  • Travel to Caddo Lake area
  • Transportation during workshop
  • Lodging
  • Additional meals
  • Alcohol
  • Travel insurance
  • Health or medical expenses
  • Photography gear

Itinerary

Caddo Lake Wildlife & Fall Color Workshop

Day 1

Short Paragraph or 3-5 item bulleted list. We will need to determine if it is feasible to include this context in the Google Sheet, or if we make placeholders only, and these are replaced manually after the draft page is created (for now, manually entering this itinerary feels like the fastest path forward since we did not include these fields in the original spreadsheet design)

Day 2-3

Alternatively this section could be less structured and be more like a Highlights or What We Will See/Do/Photograph and not tied to specific days.

Day 4-5

I think the section is where you build excitement, kind of like if you are looking at a cruise and you see all the amazing ports of call and what you might experience at each one.

Noteworthy that vertically oriented images are likely to be the best fit for these segments. I chose images randomly, but you will likely want to put more thought into what represents each workshop best while balancing out this text heavy section. 

Even better – keep this relatively light. At most 5 bullets per day, and then provide a link to download a full workshop brochure or itinerary. 

Caddo Lake Wildlife & Fall Color Workshop
Caddo Lake Wildlife & Fall Color Workshop

Day 6-7

Short Paragraph or 3-5 item bulleted list. We will need to determine if it is feasible to include this context in the Google Sheet, or if we make placeholders only, and these are replaced manually after the draft page is created (for now, manually entering this itinerary feels like the fastest path forward since we did not include these fields in the original spreadsheet design)

Day 8+

Alternatively this section could be less structured and be more like a Highlights or What We Will See/Do/Photograph and not tied to specific days.

What Our Students Say...

You Walk Away Learning So Much!

I have attended several photography workshops, including with some National names – this one is a class apart. David and Barry bring their down to earth style to the workshop and you walk away learning so much – while actually taking pictures. This is a hands-on lesson – which makes it really interesting. I would absolutely do a workshop with them again.

Arun K

One of the very best!

I’ve participated in a number of photographic workshops. This was one of the very best!

Michael Griffith

No Matter Your Skill Level, You Won’t Be Disappointed!

Sign up for a workshop! Through the one on one coaching of David and Barry, I came away with more confidence in my ability to get great landscape and astrophotos. No matter your skill level, you won’t be disappointed.

Rhonda H

Taking My Photos To Another Level!

This was a great workshop for me. I learned several things that definitely help take my photos to another level.

Marian K

Benton Downs meets and exceeds my expectations

My priorities for a workshop are always to see new places, especially at my age, learn something new, get feedback on my compositions in camera, get ideas for compositions or small scenes or creative ideas that I may not be seeing, meet new people, be in a small group, and offer all of that for an affordable investment. Benton Downs meets and exceeds my expectations by going above and beyond by adding in a zoom meeting before and after each workshop, by offering editing or critique advice during or after the workshop, and with their friendliness and caring about each participant. Anything else is a bonus. I would highly recommend BDW as one of the top workshop groups in the country. Thanks Barry and David!

Roberta K.

Instruction and Independence!

This was a terrific workshop whether you are a beginner or a more experienced photographer. If I needed help or had a question either David or Barry was right there. If I wanted to wander off and work on my own composition, I could do that. The perfect balance of instruction and independence.

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Available Dates

  • Nov 12, 2026 - 6 spots
  • Nov 15, 2026 - 6 spots
  • Nov 19, 2026 - 8 spots

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