March 30: Scoters & Seals

White-winged Scoter photo courtesy of Frode Jacobsen. Harbor and Gray Seals photo courtesy of Rita Modesti.

Our DBW guides and the Captain and Crew of the Thelma Dale V are very excited about March birding and seal watching with you and our friends at the Dogfish INN and Dogfish Head! Please join us on Saturday, March 30 for an early afternoon photography workshop with Troy Bynum at the Dogfish INN, and a late afternoon “Scoters & Seals” boat trip on the Delaware Bay. Details below.

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

Photo Workshop with Troy Bynum
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Cost: $30/person (lunch on your own)
Instructor: Troy Bynum
Meeting Location: the cottage at the Dogfish INN, located at 105 Savannah Rd, Lewes, DE 19958

Please note: The Dogfish INN parking lot is for guests only, but there is a public parking lot conveniently located across the street. If you have registered for the 3:30 pm “Scoters & Seals” boat tour, we recommend parking at The Wheelhouse restaurant at 12:45 pm and walking over the bridge to the Dogfish INN for the 1:00 pm workshop. The Wheelhouse is located at 107 Anglers Rd, Lewes, DE 19958. GPS Coordinates: 38.776829, -75.137510

Join Troy Bynum of TB Wildlife Photography for this introductory workshop and unlock the secrets of digital photography! This hands-on course delves into the essentials of Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO, empowering participants with a solid foundation. Explore Exposure Compensation, Auto-Focus, Metering, and more, while mastering important terminology and troubleshooting techniques. Perfect for beginners and seasoned photographers alike, this workshop cultivates the skills needed to capture images with your unique artistic flair. By the end, you’ll confidently use manual settings to photograph wildlife and diverse subjects, applicable across various camera types – DSLR, mirrorless, bridge, and superzoom. Click here to read more.

BOAT TRIP

Scoters & Seals (LEWES BOAT TOUR)
Date: Saturday, March 30
Time: 3:30 – 6:00 pm
Cost: $72/person (includes tip for crew of Thelma Dale V)
Guides: Chris Bennett, Anthony Gonzon, Russ Kovach, Troy Bynum & Jim Rapp
Meeting Location: Fisherman’s Wharf 107 Anglers Rd, Lewes, DE 19958. GPS Coordinates: 38.776829, -75.137510

Join us for a 2.5-hour cruise of the waters around the mouth of the Delaware Bay aboard the Thelma Dale V. The boat features a heated cabin, benches along the lower deck rail, and a top deck for open-air viewing. We will visit the two stone breakwaters and the ice breakers in search of common and rare waterfowl and seabirds including gulls, cormorants, gannets, loons, scoters, eiders and with luck a White-winged Scoter or Razorbill. We also have a good chance of seeing Harbor and Gray Seals that regularly haul out on the rocks. Restrooms are available on board, and coolers are welcome!

We are coordinating the boat trip with low tide, which will offer better views of the seals hauled out on the lower breakwater rocks. Low tide for the Lewes Breakwater Harbor on March 30 is 6:30 pm and sunset is 7:10 pm.

Harbor and Gray Seal photos courtesy of Sherry Abbott.

Some common sense approaches to make your birding trips more enjoyable:

  • Wear appropriate clothing and shoes for early spring weather near the ocean!
  • Carry sunscreen, sunglasses and/or a hat to protect yourself from the sun. You can still get sunburn in the winter.
  • Bring rain gear as all events are rain or shine.
  • Try to arrive at least 30 minutes before the trip departs.
  • If you are prone to seasickness, you may want to consider Dramamine or Bonine (both are sold over-the-counter), or whatever natural preventative you prefer. Please don’t wait until you’re on the boat to take your medication. Follow the instructions to make sure you have a great experience birding on the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean.
  • Most trips are not appropriate for young children. Please use your discretion when registering.
  • Be courteous to your fellow birders. Speak quietly and turn off cell phones during trips.

Please note:

  • Due to the late scheduling of these experiences, no cancellations are accepted after payment is received. For a further explanation of our refund policy, please click here.
  • Trips will go in the rain or fog, unless torrential downpours prevent us from viewing wildlife.
  • If the trip is canceled due to dangerous conditions (typically storms or strong, gusting winds), we will notify you via email. Please note that the email will be sent to all participants BCC, so you may need to check your email spam folder. A full refund will be provided within 15 days.
  • If the boat trip is canceled, the photography workshop will be canceled too.