Sandhill Cranes Expedition with Hill Henry

📅 January 21, 2026
(Weather Alternate Date: January 22)
📍 Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge – Birchwood, TN
We will meet at the viewing area at 9:00. We’ll leave for lunch and head back to the viewing area at 1:30. We’ll leave will stay until sunset around 5:30.

Wildlife photography demands patience, precision, and the ability to react to the unexpected. Join Hill Henry for an immersive, full-day expedition designed to sharpen your technical skills and deepen your understanding of wildlife behavior — all while photographing one of East Tennessee’s most breathtaking natural events.

Each winter, thousands of Greater Sandhill Cranes gather at Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge during their migration through the Tennessee River Valley. Their calls echo across the water, and the sky fills with wings — creating extraordinary opportunities to photograph birds in flight, one of the most challenging and rewarding subjects in wildlife photography.

During this hands-on workshop, Hill will guide you through the techniques, mindset, and creative approaches needed to capture compelling wildlife images in dynamic conditions.

What You’ll Learn

• Essential wildlife photography techniques: Exposure, autofocus modes, shutter control, and composition in fast-moving environments

• Gear selection and preparation: The equipment that makes the biggest difference in the field

• Understanding wildlife behavior: Anticipating movement for perfectly timed shots

• Creative photography approaches: Silhouettes, motion blur, panning, and atmospheric lighting

Workshop Schedule

Morning Session:
Photograph cranes in flight, refine in-field technique, and practice capturing movement with clarity and intention.

Midday Break:
Lunch in historic Dayton, TN with group discussion and Q&A.

Afternoon Session:
Creative wildlife photography techniques including panning, slow shutter work, and capturing dramatic silhouettes as the light shifts toward sunset.

Note: Because of East Tennessee’s unpredictable winter weather, the alternate date of January 22 may be used if conditions require a shift.

About the Instructor – Hill Henry

Hill Henry is a certified professional photographer and wildlife biologist specializing in documentary and fine art wildlife photography. With years of experience in the field, he has developed a unique approach that blends scientific understanding with artistic expression. Hill travels extensively across the U.S. and abroad, documenting both iconic and often overlooked species while capturing the relationship between wildlife, habitat, and ecological systems.

Hill’s instruction provides both technical knowledge and creative insight, making this workshop valuable for photographers of all levels who wish to deepen their wildlife photography skills.

View Hill’s work on Instagram.