Photo Safaris Trip Reports

One of the best ways to learn more about our Photo Tours is by reading our leaders' reports from trips they've recently led. You can also see trip photos—taken both by leaders and clients who have traveled with us—on our Instagram page (jvophotosafaris).

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We're here to answer your questions about any of the trips that interest you, so don't hesitate to Contact Us!
Faroe Islands 2023 Trip Report

One day in the 9th century, a courageous band of Vikings drifted into a collection of rugged islands with verdant, sweeping slopes and angular peaks truncated by thousand-foot cliffs, as if cut by the deft swing of a giant... Read More

By Todd W. Pierce on Nov 22, 2023

Spitsbergen Svalbard Ultimate Pack Ice Voyage 2023 Trip Report

It was the “trip of a lifetime!” That is rare for me to write since I have been on many “trips of a lifetime” over our 43 years offering photography tours. But this trip was exceptional—even f... Read More

By Joe Van Os on Aug 04, 2023

Puffins on the Fly, Iceland 2023 Trip Report

This was my very first time visiting Iceland and I was looking forward to learning the ropes from my local Iceland pro co-leader Daniel Bergmann. I had seen so many nice images of the scenic aspect of the Island country. B... Read More

By Mark Thomas on Jul 28, 2023

Olympic National Park 2023 Trip Report

Olympic National Park in one word—Diversity! I am not sure there is another park in the lower forty-eight states that encompasses such a variety of landscape photography possibilities. From snowcapped... Read More

By Melissa Scott on Jul 28, 2023

Arctic Birds and Musk Oxen of Nome, Alaska 2023 Trip Report

Winter was reluctant to give up its hold and allow spring the right to take command of the tundra this year. When winter finally gave in, spring happened in just a manner of two days. Our group was fortunate to be there as... Read More

By Eric Rock on Jul 26, 2023

Namibia 2023 Trip Report

Namibia is one of the most rugged countries in the world. Full of rocky outcroppings and sand, Namibia is a very dry country. It receives just over 10 inches of rain per year (on average, across the country). The Namib des... Read More

By Mike Byrne on Jul 11, 2023

Patagonia in Autumn 2023 Trip Report

Our Patagonia trip began in Buenos Aires where we met up with our group of hearty photographers on our first day in Argentina. After restin... Read More

By Jeff Vanuga on Jun 15, 2023

Florida Birds 2023 Trip Report

It’s common knowledge among nature photographers that Florida is one of the absolute best places for bird photography. From December through June, bird activity throughout the state is incredible. February and March ... Read More

By Mark Thomas on Jun 15, 2023

Brown Bears of Silver Salmon Creek 2022 Trip Report

I led two Brown Bears of Silver Salmon Creek Trips in 2022. The first one was July 5-11 and the second one was August 17-23. The two trips were only six weeks apart but, at this location early July trips are normally quite... Read More

By Gary Alt on Jun 06, 2023

Costa Rica Birds 2023 Trip Report

Having just returned from Costa Rica and now going through my thousands of images, I’m always surprised when I come across something I had completely forgotten we photographed. It’s like reaching into the pocke... Read More

By Mark Thomas on May 17, 2023

Ultimate Tigers, India 2023 Trip Report

Regal is this cat with stripes. A few years ago, Joe Van Os introduced me to the alluring and diverse sub-continent of India when he assigned me to the Ultimate Tigers photo safaris. With Bengal tigers being the focus of t... Read More

By Eric Rock on May 02, 2023

Death Valley in Spring 2023 Trip Report

Death Valley has a reputation for extremes. It is the lowest place, the driest place, and the hottest place in North America. Yet, it is but a “stone’s throw” from our highest mountain in ... Read More

By Melissa Scott on Apr 13, 2023

Humpbacks, Eagles and Alaska’s Herring Spawn 2023 Trip Report

Humpback whales have bad breath! I can definitively report that—after numerous “bubble-net” feeding groups of humpbacks surfaced close to our boat while we were down-wind of their moist fishy breath. And ... Read More

By Joe Van Os on Apr 12, 2023

Bald Eagles, Sea Otters & Wildlife of Kachemak Bay 2023 Trip Report

Bald eagles have made a remarkable recovery from the days in the mid-1900’s when they bordered on the threat of extinction throughout much of their range. Now, sightings of this familiar symbol of America are much mo... Read More

By Joe Van Os on Apr 07, 2023

Japan’s Winter Wildlife 2023 Trip Report

Most of the time it’s easy to understand how the Joseph Van Os photo tours get their tour names. And this trip being christened “Japan’s Winter Wildlife” is no different. What the title can’t ... Read More

By Eric Rock on Mar 27, 2023

Snowy Owls of the Canadian Prairies 2023 Trip Report


Much of the vast Canadian prairies have been “tamed” by agriculture. And starting in the 1950’s, the province of Alberta underwent a massive oil boom from which the petroleum industry further help... Read More

By Joe Van Os on Mar 27, 2023

Whales, Dolphins, and Deserts of Mexico’s Baja 2023 Trip Report

This year’s Mexican whale photo safaris provided many amazing photographs as well as an important life lesson. It’s a common belief that emotions such as happiness and grief, curiosity and boredom, and fear and... Read More

By Wayne Lynch on Mar 14, 2023

Yellowstone in Winter 2023 Trip Report

On the western fringes of the Yellowstone Plateau lies one of five gateway communities to Yellowstone National Park—West Yellowstone, Montana. In winter, snow averages range from 3.5–5 feet. That combined with ... Read More

By Jeff Vanuga on Mar 14, 2023

Dalmatian Pelicans and Meteora Monasteries 2023 Trip Report

We began the tour with dinner at our first hotel, the Golden Star in Thessaloniki. This proved to be the ideal starting point, a sea front aspect close to the airport and a short distance from the cultural heart of Thessal... Read More

By James Rogerson on Feb 14, 2023

Jaguars & Wildlife of Brazil's Pantanal 2022 Trip Report Part One

Editor’s note: Mark Thomas clearly loves the Pantanal, its jaguars and wealth of other wildlife. I think he would live there if he could! This is a long trip report that we are breaking into two parts. It tru... Read More

By Mark Thomas on Feb 03, 2023

Jaguars/Pantanal 2022 Trip Report Part Two

Being the third largest cat on the planet and by far the largest cat in the Americas, jaguars are always the main attraction on our Cuiaba River boat trips. And they do not disappoint! In 2022 there were more cubs than eve... Read More

By Mark Thomas on Feb 03, 2023

Death Valley 2022 Trip Report

In the big dry desert country of western North America, there is no better place for landscape photographers to explore the unshielded boney crust of the earth and no place in the US that offers a better combination of ali... Read More

By Eric Rock on Jan 16, 2023

Wild Madagascar 2022 Trip Report

It has been three years since my last Madagascar tour. COVID struck this island nation harshly, with three separate 6-month lockdowns. In addition, five cyclones hit Madagascar earlier this year. Life on the island hasn&rs... Read More

By Mike Byrne on Jan 13, 2023

Costa Rica Green Season 2022 Trip Report

Just slightly smaller than the state of West Virginia, Costa Rica falls into the category of being a small country. So, why is there such a huge variety of wildlife here? What quickly becomes apparent once on the ground, i... Read More

By Mark Thomas on Jan 12, 2023

Colorado Fall Colors 2022 Trip Report

Contrary to popular belief, the leaves of deciduous trees like aspens do not actively switch color in the autumn, but rather reveal underlying pigments that already exist. During the spring and summer, trees produce an abu... Read More

By Todd W. Pierce on Dec 22, 2022