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Clinics and Workshops for 2010
 2010 Special Weeks at the Ranch
We are excited with our 2010 offerings, which allow our guests to take a ranch vacation and participate in a clinic or workshop. We receive our cattle around the middle of May and until they are shipped, the horseback riding focuses on cattle management. During these weeks horseback riding as well as the other ranch activities are available and ranch schedules will be flexible so there is no missing out! This also provides a perfect opportunity for vacationing with friends or spouse when interests differ.
Birding Workshop (adults only) with Dee Bolton ….week of June 6th
Yoga & Horseback Riding Week (adults only) ……..Dates Pending but probably June
Fly Fishing Clinic with Cliff Watts …..week of July 11th
Photography & Personal Vision Workshop (adults only) with Karen Schulman ….. week of August 22nd
These activities are offered during the specified weeks at regular guest rates. Information will be posted as soon as it is available and “website ready” so check back periodically or get in touch with us.
Northern Colorado Rockies Birding Workshops 2010
(Northwest Colorado and South-central Wyoming)
 Spring Dates:
Minimum stay with workshop:
Thursday afternoon, June 10th –Sunday, June 13th
Full week stay with workshop:
Sunday, June 6th - Sunday, 13th
Late Summer Dates:
TBA (subject to Dee’s availability)
Workshop Leader: Dee Bolton
We welcome Dee back for another season observing native and migratory birds. For nearly ten years, Dee has been a Naturalist for Yampatika, the Steamboat Springs nature and culture center that provides educational tours and programs for all ages. Her tours have included the annual “Paddling with the Birds” event and the Annual Spring Audubon Birdathon count. Dee keeps a bird and wildlife count for the Green Creek Ranch in Pleasant Valley and prepares an annual report for its Yampa Valley Land Trust conservation easement. Dee has been affiliated with the Yampa Valley Birding Club, a group of local avid birders that hone their skills on a regular basis throughout the year and participate in conservation activities for the United States Forest Service and the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, since its inception.
In addition to regional bird-watching excursions, Dee has pursued her passion across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, the Bahamas, Dominica, New Zealand, Spain, Portugal, Panama, Guatemala and the British Isles.
 “I’m no novice and did OK on my own but the birding really got good when Dee Bolton….lead our small group….her knowledge of birds and the biology of the area made those two days outstanding”.
Dick Nicholas (Focus Ranch 2007)
Workshop Overview:
The workshop will appeal to anyone interested in observing birds in the diverse natural habitats found at Focus Ranch and the adjacent Medicine Bow National Forest including riparian, forest, marshland, river, meadows, and sage-covered uplands, all of which combine to attract a rich array of migratory as well as native seasonal birds. Since 1963, more than 45 species of birds have been observed on the Ranch and over 78 sub-species, many of which Dee recorded for the first time in 2007. In spring, activity is intense and noisy: bright plumages coincide with mating rituals. By late summer, babies have fledged and adults are sporting their flight feathers. During fall migration, birds are storing energy for their journeys with youngsters in tow. Regardless of the season, Focus Ranch is never without feathered friends.
Workshop Objectives:
- Using a field guide and binoculars
- Identifying species by specific characteristics
- Learning basic bird parts
- Discovering preferred habitats
- Attending to bird calls
- Studying bird behaviors
 Workshop Details: The majority of the workshop will be conducted outside either near the house or from various observation points that require hiking. Transportation by vehicle to some areas might be an option. Varying the difficulty of hiking trails selected will accommodate all ability levels. Hikes will be early morning, late afternoon, and possibly mid-day and/or after dinner, depending on the group’s interest. Also, depending on the group’s interest, there may be an off-ranch field trip.
“Bird watching with Dee was extremely educational and interesting. …With her knowledge and instruction we learned how to use binoculars to view the fine detail markings to determine the type of bird, gender, etc…The experience definitely heightened my awareness…”
(K. Weinland)
Cost:
Regular guest rates apply:
For week stay including workshop, $2378 (single); $1962.00 (per person, dbl. occupancy);
Minimum Stay including workshop: arrival Thursday afternoon and departure Sunday after breakfast- $1019 (single); $841 (per person, dbl. occupancy)
Rates include: tax, gratuity, meals, lodging, workshop and all activities available on the ranch.
Maximum Number: 12
What to Bring: Binoculars and field guides (if you have them), day pack, hat, sunscreen, good walking shoes for both wet and dry weather, clothes for wet and dry weather, notepad. The Audubon website has some good information that might assist you: www.audubon.org
For more information or reservations, call or email Focus Ranch, Terry or Maureen Reidy: (970) 583-2410 or roundup@focusranch.com. |
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Fly Fishing Clinic with Cliff Watts
Week of July 11th-18th, 2010
 (Regular weekly rates apply and all ranch activities available)
Cliff will be offering his fly fishing clinic again in 2010. Whether you are new to fly fishing or just needing some tips, this clinic is designed to teach the fundamentals of fly fishing while providing practical experience. It is geared for those who want a thorough introduction to the sport. Topics to be covered include: fly casting techniques; gear; knot tying; trout behavior; water entomology and flies; river anatomy; fishing strategies, catch and release and trout fishing techniques.
- Half Day Classes with the other half of the day for fishing or other ranch activities
- Classes limited to 6 people
- 5 half days of instruction
- 5 half days of fishing at Focus Ranch in the Little Snake River
- (1 full day trip to nearby waters if that fits)
 Half Day Class Schedule:
- Day1 - Fly Casting Techniques
- Day2 - More on Casting, Gear, and Knots
- Day3 - Trout Behavior, Water Entomology and Flys
- Day4 - River Anatomy and Fishing Strategies
- Day5 – Trout Fishing Techniques
The flow of the scheduled programs will depend somewhat on participant’s knowledge and skill level ---- as well as the local hatches, best fishing time of the day and everyone's self-control. Practicing can only be done so much, and then you just have to go fishing. It’s a great excuse to drop out of any class!
Where and when we fish will be weather and water dependent.
Participants will be emailed a list of equipment that they need to bring to the ranch including rod, reel, waders, flies and other gear.
 Cliff Watts began fly fishing as a teenager, in north Georgia, and now in his 50’s, continues with the sport in Colorado and Wyoming. Trips to Russia, Argentina and Brazil have added to his resume along with his yearly outings to British Columbia. He has been coming to Focus for over 35 years and in that time, we have watched him teach kids and adults.
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 Photography & Personal Vision
Ranch Workshop & Retreat
With Karen Gordon Schulman
August 22nd to August 28th, 2010
IN the least it is ironic that this workshop is being offered by Focus Adventures at Focus Ranch. Karen Gordon Schulman, photographic artist, writer and teacher is the owner of Focus Adventures, a nationally recognized photo tour and workshop business based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Focus Adventures offers regional photo workshops as well as international photo tours. Karen often wondered about Focus Ranch as she occasionally redirected phone calls over the years. In 2006, Karen was introduced to us (Maureen and Terry Reidy) and the ranch. She offered her first “Fall in Focus” Photography Workshop in September, 2006 and it was a hit. It didn’t take long to realize that Focus Ranch provided the perfect setting for another of Karen’s quality Focus Adventures programs and we began planning for her return before she drove away. Things don’t always work out the way we plan and there had to be a delay in Karen’s return but she was very much worth the wait. We can now offer Karen’s second Focus Ranch workshop.
 “…as Karen’s assistant, she and I have led workshops together in four countries and many different locations but this was outstanding! Your ranch is beautiful…staff are warm and wonderful and the food and lodging are top-notch.”
J. Potekhen, Silverthorne, CO
Focus Ranch: The ranch head quarters is nestled in the Upper Little Snake River Valley and is surrounded by the peaks of the Sierra Madre Mountain range, providing spectacular sunrises and sunsets. The Little Snake River lazily flows, breaking the stillness of the ranch.
 This is a beautiful time at the ranch with early signs of the transformation from summer to fall. Landscapes are embellished with the flowers of late summer-Indian Paint Brush, asters, wild geraniums, lupine- to name a few. The daytime temperatures have moderated and at 7000 ft., the mornings and evenings are cool. Wildlife and livestock are adjusting to the seasonal changes, offering opportunities for scenic horseback riding. The ranch has an abundance of hiking trails, ranging from easy to challenging….the same holds true for mountain biking. With the river improvements made in 2008, fishing holes will supply sport for fly fishermen (catch& release). Birds are beginning to migrate and so once again, we will see our feathered friends from the north. All in all, it is a great time to be at the ranch, either as a participant in the workshop or as a companion in tow, merely wanting the ranch experience.
 A typical day at the ranch usually starts with a hearty breakfast-forewarned by the wake- up bell but instead, coffee/tea will get you going so as not to miss out on the early morning light and ranch life. After breakfast, guests will have options. The activities of riding, fishing, hiking, sightseeing, relaxing will be coordinated with the photography events. Lunch is the next scheduled meal and after this, everyone can choose again, an activity for the afternoon. Karen will determine the time to reconvene for the afternoon session. The schedule of the day is all about maximizing the time for photo opportunities and quality of light. After dinner, activities are flexible. This may be a time for discussion, reviewing work or time to just enjoy each other’s company and the ranch. Karen and the group will make this call!
Insights Into Digital Photography With Personal Vision
What You Learn: During this workshop, Karen covers both the technical and aesthetic sides of digital photography and will guide you in developing and expanding your own unique photographic vision. During field exercises, Karen will provide opportunities to broaden your creative spirit and challenge you to try new techniques with your camera.
 Who Should Attend: Karen works with all skill levels, from more casual to advanced photographers hoping to expand their vision. Participants need to be comfortable with the basic operation of their digital cameras and at the minimum have an understanding of the relationship between ISO, aperture and shutter speed, as we will be working mostly on expanding personal vision. Digital cameras and a laptop computer with editing software (that you are familiar with) are REQUIRED for this workshop. If you are interested but unsure if this program is for you, please contact Karen at karen@focusadventures.com or by phone at 970-879-2244.
“I am of course, learning more and more about my camera but, on top of just learning about the mechanics of the camera I am enjoying learning to see the “art” that I can do with my camera.”
Diane, Lake Oswego, OR
More about Karen, who emphasizes photography as a tool for self-discovery through all of her programs as well as her art:
“What the camera does best is reveal and reflect our worlds, which leads directly to the discovery of parts of ourselves,” says Schulman. "Photography offers us the opportunity to balance our thinking with feeling, our intellect with intuition, as we respond to the world through our images. It is a way of expressing ourselves artistically but with technical competence. The more we learn to ‘see’ with our mind, heart and spirit, the more of an adventure life becomes."
Additional Accomplishments:
Karen's stock and fine art photography appears in numerous publications. Her fine art photography is regularly exhibited through the Steamboat Springs Arts Council and other locations. SuperStock, Index Stock Imagery/Photolibrary and Vivozoom represent her stock photography. She is a twenty year- member of the
American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP), a member of Women in Photography International, The Texas Photographic Society and The North American Nature Photography Association.
Karen is the co-author of Steamboat Visions, the first ever photographic book dedicated to northwest Colorado.
Details:
Cost: $1,962.00 per person (tax and tip included)
The cost is all inclusive: lodging, food, workshop and ranch activities.
Arrival is Sunday afternoon and departure is Saturday after breakfast.
Maximum number of participants: 10
Transportation: There will be a $50 per trip charge for transportation to and from Steamboat Springs airport or town.
Deposit: $ 500.00 per person to confirm reservation. Cancellation 60 days prior to the workshop will allow for a full refund minus $50.00 for administrative costs. Cancellation after that time may result in forfeiture of the deposit unless we can fill the space.
For additional information about a stay at the ranch, contact Focus Ranch, Maureen or Terry Reidy. Phone: 970-583-2410 or roundup@focusranch.com
For additional information regarding the workshop, please visit: www.focusadventures.com . Karen Schulman can be reached by email at karen@focusadventures.com or by phone at 970-879-2244 |
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If you have questions or need additional information, give us a call or email roundup@focusranch.com
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