Courses, Events and Resources
Florida Photo Fest
I am offering several classes and workshops at the upcoming Florida Photo Fest in St. Augustine April 23-26. Registration opens February 16. Classes include: Birding Hot Spots Near Florida and Using Photography to Support Conservation. Workshops include: Photographing Sunset on a Coquina Beach, Bird Identification and Photography Birds Near Water at Fort Mose Historic State Park, Bird Identification and Photographing Birds Near Water at the GTM, and Photography 101: A Beginner’s Guide to DSLR and Mirrorless Photography.
St. Augustine Eco Tours River Boat Trips
I partner with St. Augustine Eco Tours for boat excursions on the Matanzas and Tolomato Rivers. Here are a few photos from the February 20 excursion along the Tolomato. I will post here when additional tours are scheduled.
St. Augustine Eco Tours River Boat Trips
Linda Burek has teamed up with Captain Zach from St. Augustine Eco Tours to get participants on the water to photograph life forms for the GTM Through the Lens Challenge. Boats will be limited to 10 passengers to give extra room for camera equipment. All boats leave at 8:00 a.m. from the St. Augustine Municipal Marina. Arrive by 7:45 a.m. Excursions are 90 minutes. Dress for the weather. It is cooler on the water. Bring water and snacks. Protect yourself from the sun. Click on the links below to sign up. If the boat is full, email lindaburekphotography@gmail.com to get on a waitlist.
April 15, 2026 8:00 am – 9:30 am Meet at 7:45 am, boat leaves promptly at 8:00
April 29, 2026 8:00 am – 9:30 am Meet at 7:45 am, boat leaves promptly at 8:00
May 6, 2026 8:00 am – 9:30 am Meet at 7:45 am, boat leaves promptly at 8:00
Also check out my bird guides on identifying local birds and birding hot spots on the book page on this site.
2026 Through the Lens Challenge
How to use iNaturalist: These courses are being offered to support the 2026 GTM Through the Lens Challenge project. They will take place in the auditorium at the GTM Visitor Center at 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 on April 10, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm and April 11, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm. It is not necessary to sign up for either of these courses.
Resources
Wildlife Photography Training and Support
If you are a wildlife photographer, I recommend joining the Journal of Wildlife Photography. Benefits include:
Monthly 90-minute live training sessions with award-winning wildlife photographers
30-minute live Q&A after each training to get personalized advice
Monthly themed photo contest with $500 cash prizes per skill level (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
Quarterly digital magazine packed with deep-dive tutorials, gear tips, photo critiques, and conservation features
Monthly photo critique sessions reviewing 4–5 non-winning contest images — giving members actionable feedback
Skill-based contest entry — fair and rewarding for all experience levels
Access to a full archive of all past trainings, critiques, and magazine issues
Private community space to share photos, ask questions, and receive support
Local Birding
For local birding, I recommend joining the St. Johns Regional Audubon. They offer regular bird walks throughout the area with knowledgeable guides.
Linda Burek Photography 