PURELY PELICANS
PHOTOGRAPHING & FILMING THE ICONIC DALMATIAN PELICANS OF LAKE KERKINI IN NORTHERN GREECE.
Join National Geographic photographer & filmmaker, George S Blonsky for your next photographic odyssey… to capture the most amazing images of the most glamorous of birds.. the Dalmatian Pelicans… the first and original photographic tours and workshops to Lake Kerkini and other amazing locations throughout Greece….
Welcome to Lake Kerkini in Greece and to its resident population of Dalmatian Pelicans – Pelecanus Crispus.
Lake Kerkini is a man-made lake in the North of Greece near the Bulgarian border. Since its creation in 1932 to combat the effects of malaria which were prevalent at the time due to the marshes that existed in its place, the lake has become an exceptionally important wetland. In the winter it is a focal point for migrating birds traveling south from the arctic and in the summer it is a focal point for birds migrating northwards from Africa.
As such, it has a very rich and varied avifauna depending on the season one visits.
It is happily also home to many resident species, probably the most iconic of which is the beautiful but endangered Dalmatian Pelican. In fact Lake Kerkini is the first new breeding ground for these wonderful birds in over 150 years.
I am very proud of the fact that I was the first to organise wildlife photography workshops in Greece and the first to organise workshops specifically to photograph the Dalmatian Pelicans of Lake Kerkini, and I look forward to welcoming you here.
Whats Included..
all guiding, advice and assistance from our Photographic Tour Leader
all accommodations for the duration of your stay on a non-sharing basis with NO single supplement
breakfasts & refreshments whilst out shooting
transportation : both to and from Thessaloniki airport as well as all “in-trip” transportation;
6 organised excursions by boat :
extra trips also available for a supplementary fee of €400/boat trip
What’s not included..
flights/visas
Insurance (recommended you have full health, medical, travel and equipment insurance);
activities not listed in the itinerary
evening meals
personal expenses – gratuities/tips, sundries, snacks etc..
all drinks: alcohol and special order drinks like cappuccinos,lattes etc..
Our 5 day Purely Pelican trips to the lake are usually in January/February timed to coincide with their breeding season… at this time of year the pelican’s bill pouches turn bright red and their feathers whiten making them look magnificent in the winter light and stunning to photograph.
We undertake photography both from the shoreline and by boat, with the objective of capturing as many situations and behaviours as we can.. from individual portraits, group portraits and ‘in flight’ images both as they glide just inches from the surface of the water and also as they spiral up into the sky on thermals.
The lake itself is situated between two mountain ranges and at this time of the year their 2000+ metre peaks are usually snow-capped making for a beautiful backdrop to the images we are there to create.
SAMPLE ITINERARY:
Day 1: arrivals & transfers from Thessaloniki Airport to Hotel;
Day2: AM: pre-dawn rise for 3 hour shoot from the boat out on the lake;
Day2: PM: 2 hour shoot from the shoreline;
Day3: AM: pre-dawn rise for 2 hour shoot from the shoreline;
Day3: PM: 2 hour shoot from the boat out on the lake;
Day4: AM: pre-dawn rise for 3 hour shoot from the boat out on the lake;
Day4: PM: 2 hour shoot from the shoreline;
Day 5: departures & transfers from Hotel to Thessaloniki Airport;
BOOK NOW FOR 2026…
JANUARY 12th – 16th 2026 - €1750
FULLY BOOKED
purely pelicans
5 day
Wildlife Photography Workshop
Photographing the beautiful Dalmatian Pelicans of Lake Kerkini.
MAX : 5 PAX (FULLY BOOKED)
NOTE: dates may be subject to change according to airline flight schedules
FEBRUARY 9th – 13th 2026 - €1750
3 places available
purely pelicans
5 day
Wildlife Photography Workshop
Photographing the beautiful Dalmatian Pelicans of Lake Kerkini.
MAX : 5 PAX (3 PLACES AVAILABLE)
NOTE: dates may be subject to change according to airline flight schedules
single boat TRIPS : €400
If you are visiting the area and would like a single guided trip on the lake to photograph or film the pelicans use the link below to book.
Please note the fee is for the boat hire & my guidance and is NOT a per person charge - there is a maximum capacity of 6 people that you can fill the boat with.
Dates are subject to availability which I will confirm after booking or you can email me first to check the dates before you book.
MAX : 6 PAX