Golden Hour on Elkhorn Slough: A December Wildlife Photography Experience
Golden Hour on Elkhorn Slough: A December Wildlife Photography Experience
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Sunday, December 6, 2026, 3:00–4:30pm
Join us for an afternoon of wildlife photography on Elkhorn Slough, one of California’s most biologically rich coastal estuaries. On the day of the year’s earliest sunset, we’ll head onto the water to photograph sea otters, harbor seals, and seasonal birdlife as the afternoon light lowers across the marsh.
This immersive experience brings together photography, nature, and expert guidance. It is designed for photographers who want to observe wildlife more closely, become more comfortable photographing from a boat, and work creatively with the changing light of a late coastal afternoon. It’s also an opportunity to step away from the December rush and spend time watching, learning, and making photographs with others who share your curiosity.
A Three-Part Experience
Session 1
Pre-Trip Preparation, via Zoom
Tuesday, December 1st at 6:00pm (duration is roughly 1 hour)
We’ll begin with a preparation session covering what to expect on the boat, recommended camera settings, lens choices, and strategies for photographing wildlife as daylight fades. We’ll also discuss techniques for anticipating animal behavior, working from a moving platform, and balancing shutter speed, aperture, and ISO when photographing active subjects in lower light.
Session 2
December Golden Hour Cruise
Sunday, December 6th, 3:00–4:30pm
We’ll meet in Moss Landing for a private 1.5-hour cruise through Elkhorn Slough aboard a quiet, electric-powered catamaran.
With sunset at approximately 4:50pm, our cruise places us on the water during the afternoon’s transition toward golden hour, returning to shore shortly before the sun sets. Depending on coastal conditions, we may encounter warm, directional sunlight, soft overcast light, or changing combinations of the two. Each offers possibilities for wildlife portraits, reflections, backlighting, and wider photographs that place animals within the surrounding landscape.
December brings a seasonal gathering of birds to the Slough. Wintering shorebirds and waterfowl join its resident wildlife, with opportunities to encounter sandpipers, marbled godwits, black-bellied plovers, and other birds feeding and resting throughout the estuary. Sea otters, harbor seals, pelicans, herons, and egrets are also among the animals we may see.
An otter pausing to groom, a seal lifting its head, or a flock turning above the channel can become an opportunity to practice timing and observation. We’ll work on recognizing those moments while also looking beyond close-up portraits: the shape of a bird against the water, a reflection beneath an egret, or the relationship between an animal and the marsh around it.
Every outing unfolds differently. We’ll respond to the wildlife and conditions we find, with guidance to help you make thoughtful photographic decisions along the way.
Session 3
Post-Trip Image Review, via Zoom
Sunday, December 13th at 10:00am (duration is roughly 1 hour)
We’ll come together again for a group image review to share photographs, celebrate moments that stood out, and discuss what we learned from the afternoon. This is an opportunity to receive supportive feedback, see how other photographers responded to the same conditions, and reflect on both the technical and experiential sides of the excursion.
Why We’re Excited
Small Group Experience
We have privately chartered a 32-passenger boat for just 12 photographers. That means more room to move, greater flexibility, and clearer views when wildlife appears on either side of the vessel.
Low Afternoon Light
Our cruise takes place as the sun lowers toward the horizon, offering opportunities to explore directional light, reflections, and the changing appearance of wildlife and water. Coastal weather will shape the light we find, giving us opportunities to practice adapting our approach.
Winter Birds and Seasonal Character
December brings wintering shorebirds and waterfowl to the estuary alongside its resident wildlife. For returning participants, it’s a chance to discover how a familiar place changes with the season.
Expert Guidance
Experienced photography instructors and California naturalists will help you identify wildlife, anticipate behavior, adjust to changing light, and make thoughtful decisions in the moment.
Eco-Friendly and Ethical
As certified Wildlife Stewards with Sea Otter Savvy, and aboard a quiet electric vessel, we prioritize respectful wildlife viewing and minimal disturbance to the animals and habitat.
Protected Waters
Our excursion takes place within the sheltered waters of Elkhorn Slough rather than on the open ocean. The catamaran provides a stable platform for photography, though wind, weather, and boat movement can still affect conditions.
Know Before You Go
Location: Moss Landing, California, approximately a two-hour drive from the Berkeley area. Allow additional time for traffic.
Transportation: Transportation to and from Moss Landing is not provided. Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to the departure location.
Excursion Date: Sunday, December 6, 2026
Cruise Time: 3:00–4:30pm
What to Bring: Camera, a fully charged battery, extra memory cards, binoculars, and warm, layered clothing. A wind-resistant outer layer is recommended, along with protection for your camera if conditions are damp. December afternoons can feel especially cold on the water as daylight fades. We’ll discuss lens choices and other preparation during the pre-trip Zoom.
Make a Day of It: With an afternoon departure, there’s time to enjoy lunch in Moss Landing or explore the surrounding coast before meeting the group. Plan any additional stops with enough time to reach the departure location comfortably.
Cancellations for a refund must be received at least seven days before the pre-trip Zoom session—on or before November 24, 2026.
Description
Description
Sunday, December 6, 2026, 3:00–4:30pm
Join us for an afternoon of wildlife photography on Elkhorn Slough, one of California’s most biologically rich coastal estuaries. On the day of the year’s earliest sunset, we’ll head onto the water to photograph sea otters, harbor seals, and seasonal birdlife as the afternoon light lowers across the marsh.
This immersive experience brings together photography, nature, and expert guidance. It is designed for photographers who want to observe wildlife more closely, become more comfortable photographing from a boat, and work creatively with the changing light of a late coastal afternoon. It’s also an opportunity to step away from the December rush and spend time watching, learning, and making photographs with others who share your curiosity.
A Three-Part Experience
Session 1
Pre-Trip Preparation, via Zoom
Tuesday, December 1st at 6:00pm (duration is roughly 1 hour)
We’ll begin with a preparation session covering what to expect on the boat, recommended camera settings, lens choices, and strategies for photographing wildlife as daylight fades. We’ll also discuss techniques for anticipating animal behavior, working from a moving platform, and balancing shutter speed, aperture, and ISO when photographing active subjects in lower light.
Session 2
December Golden Hour Cruise
Sunday, December 6th, 3:00–4:30pm
We’ll meet in Moss Landing for a private 1.5-hour cruise through Elkhorn Slough aboard a quiet, electric-powered catamaran.
With sunset at approximately 4:50pm, our cruise places us on the water during the afternoon’s transition toward golden hour, returning to shore shortly before the sun sets. Depending on coastal conditions, we may encounter warm, directional sunlight, soft overcast light, or changing combinations of the two. Each offers possibilities for wildlife portraits, reflections, backlighting, and wider photographs that place animals within the surrounding landscape.
December brings a seasonal gathering of birds to the Slough. Wintering shorebirds and waterfowl join its resident wildlife, with opportunities to encounter sandpipers, marbled godwits, black-bellied plovers, and other birds feeding and resting throughout the estuary. Sea otters, harbor seals, pelicans, herons, and egrets are also among the animals we may see.
An otter pausing to groom, a seal lifting its head, or a flock turning above the channel can become an opportunity to practice timing and observation. We’ll work on recognizing those moments while also looking beyond close-up portraits: the shape of a bird against the water, a reflection beneath an egret, or the relationship between an animal and the marsh around it.
Every outing unfolds differently. We’ll respond to the wildlife and conditions we find, with guidance to help you make thoughtful photographic decisions along the way.
Session 3
Post-Trip Image Review, via Zoom
Sunday, December 13th at 10:00am (duration is roughly 1 hour)
We’ll come together again for a group image review to share photographs, celebrate moments that stood out, and discuss what we learned from the afternoon. This is an opportunity to receive supportive feedback, see how other photographers responded to the same conditions, and reflect on both the technical and experiential sides of the excursion.
Why We’re Excited
Small Group Experience
We have privately chartered a 32-passenger boat for just 12 photographers. That means more room to move, greater flexibility, and clearer views when wildlife appears on either side of the vessel.
Low Afternoon Light
Our cruise takes place as the sun lowers toward the horizon, offering opportunities to explore directional light, reflections, and the changing appearance of wildlife and water. Coastal weather will shape the light we find, giving us opportunities to practice adapting our approach.
Winter Birds and Seasonal Character
December brings wintering shorebirds and waterfowl to the estuary alongside its resident wildlife. For returning participants, it’s a chance to discover how a familiar place changes with the season.
Expert Guidance
Experienced photography instructors and California naturalists will help you identify wildlife, anticipate behavior, adjust to changing light, and make thoughtful decisions in the moment.
Eco-Friendly and Ethical
As certified Wildlife Stewards with Sea Otter Savvy, and aboard a quiet electric vessel, we prioritize respectful wildlife viewing and minimal disturbance to the animals and habitat.
Protected Waters
Our excursion takes place within the sheltered waters of Elkhorn Slough rather than on the open ocean. The catamaran provides a stable platform for photography, though wind, weather, and boat movement can still affect conditions.
Know Before You Go
Location: Moss Landing, California, approximately a two-hour drive from the Berkeley area. Allow additional time for traffic.
Transportation: Transportation to and from Moss Landing is not provided. Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to the departure location.
Excursion Date: Sunday, December 6, 2026
Cruise Time: 3:00–4:30pm
What to Bring: Camera, a fully charged battery, extra memory cards, binoculars, and warm, layered clothing. A wind-resistant outer layer is recommended, along with protection for your camera if conditions are damp. December afternoons can feel especially cold on the water as daylight fades. We’ll discuss lens choices and other preparation during the pre-trip Zoom.
Make a Day of It: With an afternoon departure, there’s time to enjoy lunch in Moss Landing or explore the surrounding coast before meeting the group. Plan any additional stops with enough time to reach the departure location comfortably.
Cancellations for a refund must be received at least seven days before the pre-trip Zoom session—on or before November 24, 2026.
