Our 2025 O’Reilly’s Bird Photography Workshop was an unforgettable week of bird encounters, hands-on tuition and spectacular rainforest photography in Lamington National Park. Every year we take a group of passionate photographers into this incredible environment for an immersive five-day experience packed with learning, wildlife encounters and creative growth.
O’Reilly’s is an excellent location for us to hold our annual bird photography workshop, as the birds are so used to humans around the retreat, and the nearby forests. Its position inside Lamington National Park (https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/lamington) provides unparalleled access to wildlife.
Why O’Reilly’s for a Bird Photography Workshop?
Getting decent photos of birds become somewhat easier for those photographers who really know how to use their photography equipment. Anyone who has photographed wildlife long enough will attest to the fact, that it is very difficult to stalk, approach, photograph most wildlife that are truly wild, as they tend to have a natural fear of us. This means that most good images are made with careful planning and execution of plan, rather than walking around in an animal’s natural habitat.
Having habituated birds eliminates one of the most difficult aspects of any wildlife photographer; getting close to your subjects and consistently getting close. This means that we are able to focus (pun intended) on the really important things. Things like setting up camera equipment, lenses, how to use those settings in different scenarios to successfully take images. When you don’t need to worry as much about stalking, or getting close, then you can really use the extra opportunity to refine the techniques. Of course, you should only refine the technique, if you want to take aesthetically pleasing images of birds. We teach all that, how to compose, how to set-up the cameras, the lenses and how to best approach different situations. It’s not hard once you get the hang of it all. But it takes time and practice.
Our 2025 O’Reilly’s Bird Photography Workshop started a couple of nights early, as Netra and I like to get up the retreat ahead of our guests to check out what is happening with the forest and its inhabitants. Naturally, weather patterns make a difference and drier conditions usually mean less activity, whereas rain tends to bring life out of hiding.
For the three months prior to our visit, there had been very little precipitation at the retreat and surrounding areas. This was a worry for us as we knew the fauna might be harder to find.
The guests arrive!
As per usual, we greeted our guests at reception, then as soon as they settled in, we took them out to the main feeding area to photograph the resident birds. Things started a little slow, as the O’Reilly’s crew had been feeding less in recent times, but our guests were impressed! The selection of common species made it easier for them to action tips on positioning themselves to get the best possible angles for shooting, to minimise distractions in the background. The learning started from the moment they arrive. We definitely aim to hit the ground running!
Our early morning walks with birds
On the mornings of the 2025 O’Reilly’s Bird Photography Workshop we began with a gathering in front of reception prior to the bird walk and waited for the migratory resident Regent Bowerbirds to arrive. They are one of the most spectacular looking birds in Australia. The jet black plumage contrasted with the strong yellow makes for an incredibly beautiful, and very difficult to photograph bird. They fly in as soon as they see people, knowing there will be food and can be very, very approachable.
Before retreat guests arrive to start the free morning bird walk, we took off into the forest, away from the crowds. We usually have 12-13 in our group, including Netra and me, so that’s more than enough. By comparison, the morning walks by the guides can have up to 50 guests. Our trek takes us towards the Mountain Gardens and we get to meet many beautiful residents along the way. The standouts are the Eastern Whipbirds and Eastern Yellow Robins. In fact, we believe that the best place in the whole of Australia to get photos of Eastern Whipbirds is at O’Reilly’s, as they are so used to people.
We do see other forest residents, such as Yellow-throated and White-browed Scrubwren, Golden Whistler, Rufous Fantail, Grey Shrikethrush, Green Catbird, Brown Thornbill and our favourites, the Australian Logrunners, which, as I say, have to be kicked out of the way at times. Of course, it’s a figure of speech, as no bird kicking takes place on our workshop!
One bird many people come to O’Reilly’s to try and spot is the Albert’s Lyrebird. This rainforest dweller has a small distribution range, and this location is usually pretty good for finding this elusive creature. In fact, so good, that some of the individuals are rather used to people and will allow a fairly close approach for amazing photographic opportunities. Over three mornings, we did see a very “friendly” female right in front of the reception area, so that was a special treat for our guests who were thrilled to include this addition to their images.
Taken with the OM-1 MkII camera and the ED 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x Pro lens at f/4.5 and 1/20th of a second, hand held.
Our Mornings Continued
Breakfast was served at 7:30am in the main dining area, and our guests enjoyed a wonderful breakfast buffet, with unlimited tea, coffee and juice, besides the scrumptious hot and cold food selections on offer.
Then it was off to the classroom for three hours of learning – with a quick morning tea thrown in as well. Some people wonder why we include this kind of learning in the 2025 O’Reilly’s Bird Photography Workshop as opposed to fully in-field. It is important to us to impart all levels of knowledge, and not to only give broad overviews of the topics at hand. We dig deep into the exposure triangle, composition, framing, rules, high ISO shooting in low light, file management, post processing techniques and more. Each of the three mornings focusses on a different topic, and the classroom style setting means that everyone gets the same information in the same way with the same opportunity to ask questions and clarify points as needed.
The learning schedule
Day 1 was about photography basics, and all the different aesthetic and visual components of capturing an image s well as how to take an image to the next level.
Day 2 was about getting the most from your camera. We delved into the technical aspects of how a camera’s AF works, AI Subject detection modes, custom mode set-ups for different scenarios, high ISO shooting and so on. It was super technical which is why we provided a full workbook for every participant that they could take notes in and refer to once they were home.
Day 3 was about file management, post processing with live demos, especially of images shot with ultra high ISOs in the low light of the O’Reilly’s rainforests.
Our classroom sessions were followed by a delicious lunch, set-up for our guests in the main dining area. We were treated to hot dishes as well as an array of wraps and sandwiches, salads and fruit as well as juice, tea and coffee.
The afternoon sessions
The afternoons were taken up with a private bird experience, run by Awbrie and Nick from the Bird of Prey Show, on different days. While the public show runs daily after midday, a private show offers an excellent opportunity for our guests to get up close to some of our raptors and owls in a way that is just not feasible during the regular show. Awbrie was able to fly some of the raptors for us, which gave guests the opportunity to practice their flight photography. However, being close to these magnificent aerial predators was an incredible experience for us all, something that is impossible to do with wild birds.
After the bird of prey show, we split the group, with Netra taking some of the guests in one direction, and I in the other direction to maximise the opportunities for our folks. It was during one of these split sessions when her group found a southern angle-headed dragon (Lophosaurus spinipes) in the Mountain Garden, and also a dwarf crowned snake (Cacophis krefftii). (Read more about those in our next blog post!)
We usually ended our afternoons of our O’Reilly’s Bird Photography Workshop at the main reception area where some feeding may still take place. Guests enjoy this time to put into practice things they learned earlier in the day. This is the time for our guests to refine their understanding, ask questions, get help with camera settings, or troubleshoot images as well. The birds are constantly around the main reception area, as the bar is directly overhead. The brave ones, hang out on the deck, ready to sneak a hot chip off an unattended plate, so we use this opportunity to get up close and personal. Sometimes they return the favour, perching directly on the camera equipment which makes for difficult shooting indeed!
The evening vibes
At sunset we made our way down to the viewing deck where we hung out, chatted about the day and waited for the breathtaking sunsets that seem to get better with every passing moment! It’s a wonderful way to wrap up each day before we headed back to our rooms to freshen up before dinner.
Dinner is served in the main dining room again and this year it was a sumptuous buffet feast, which we enjoyed more than the previous alternate plates style service. There was something for everyone and all dietary requirements were catered to. O’Reilly’s own their own vinyard, so the bubbles (and other drinks) flowed freely on all the nights we dined together. There is just something about immersing oneself entirely in all things bird and photography related that just fills your cup and that’s what our O’Reilly’s Bird Photography Workshop is all about.
A fond farewell
The say time flies when you’re having fun and despite the many, many amazing moments, the time is simply never enough! Before we knew it we were wrapping up the classes, clinking glasses at our last dinner, and packing our bags for the journey home. With full hearts and fuller memory cards and hard drives for sure!
It was a wonderful time together and we made good connections and friendships with new people. It both humbles and thrills us to be able to coach others to improve their photography and seeing happy faces, hearing happy feedback and seeing the results of their learning and hard work. We can’t wait to do it all again in October 2026.
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