Testimonials

“an excellent guide and personable host from the beginning to the end”

“Gene is that special guide who puts you in front of the birds”

“My experience was excellent.”

“My experience with Gene was nothing short of amazing.”

“He truly cares for these birds.”

“Gene's knowledge of Eastern warblers is now unmatched but by few.”

“Just a few days ago, I returned from a two day individual workshop with Gene, the Warbler Whisperer. Based at a couple locations in the northern half of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, we targeted——well, warblers. The primary species included were Kirtland’s and Golden-winged Warblers. We got both of those in abundance. While we did not find a Blue-winged Warbler, Gene got us on both Brewster’s and Lawrence’s Warblers which was fantastic consolation. There were great photo opportunities for all of these as well as an additional seven warbler species as well as a few non-warbler species.

Gene was an excellent guide and personable host from the beginning to the end of this adventure. His advance communication about expectations, his suggestions for homework to better prepare, and his assistance with logistics were great. And once in the field, he came through with lots of help and advise about finding birds, getting on them, and getting better photographs. All in all, a great trip! I expect to return for additional trips with Gene.”

Tom Blok

“I was very fortunate to be introduced to the Warbler Whisperer this past May, 2019. I contacted Gene Koziara, aka, the Warbler Whisperer, to photograph warblers along the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was the right time of the year and at the correct elevation that the birds are located. Gene is that special guide who puts you in front of the birds for you to get great photographs AND HE DELIVERED!

Gene has super hearing and very accurate eye sight to hear the bird and then spot them in the trees and bushes. In three days with the Warbler Whisperer, I photographed 13 different species of warblers and got many great shots. It was a very productive and effecient three days.

Gene Koziara IS the Warbler Whisperer and a great fun guy with whom to photograph birds.

Thanks Gene.”

Joe Barranco

“If you want to learn about warblers while making photos of them and if you want to see warblers that have evaded you in the past then I would highly recommend doing what I did by participating in a workshop with Gene Koziara.

I discussed using playback to bring birds close with Gene before our trip. I have always been reluctant to use playback because I don’t know enough to use it properly. I read the article from David Sibley on using playback properly and ethically on the Audubon website and Gene followed it to the smallest detail.

My experience was excellent. I left not only with some very good photographs but more importantly with knowledge that will help me make better photographs and deepened my understanding and appreciation of nature.”

Tom Wilson

Tom Wilson Photography; www.Tom-Wilson-Photography.com

“I feel incredibly blessed that I stumbled upon Gene’s work. I immediately researched his website and was thrilled to learn that he teaches workshops. Without hesitation, I contacted him and a few weeks later we went up to the (Georgia) mountains where I witnessed his knowledge and expertise unfold right before my eyes. My experience with Gene was nothing short of amazing. His knowledge of Warblers is incredible. We were able to capture three different species in just a half day and I couldn’t be happier. Besides taking away some great photographs, there were so many other lessons learned about nature, respect, timing, lighting, composition, safety, and so much more. I am a professional “child photographer” so bird photography is brand new to me and I can’t wait to learn more! I have another workshop with Gene next Spring & I encourage you to do so as well if you are on the fence whatsoever.”

Sandra Bianco, Woodstock Georgia

Sandra Bianco Photography; www.sandrabianco.com

Dr. Geno's knowledge and passion for warblers and photographing them is among the best I've seen. His ability to teach warbler photography is truly phenomenal. He can tell the exact time of the seasons based on the onset of the warbler migration. He has an uncanny ability to identify each of the species of warblers from among the dozens of sounds that one hears as a medley of songs in the woods. I am just lucky to have gotten to know him and to be coached by him. He truly cares for these birds. His pursuit of showcasing warblers in their natural habitat without encroaching into their habitat is worth emulating. He's quite unassuming and is a great teacher. Thank you, Doc!

— Venu Challa

Having a shared interest in bird photography with another individual does not always guarantee your compatibility in the field. When I began about ten years ago doing bird photography with Gene Koziara, I knew that I found someone with the type of demeanor and disposition that could put up with my somewhat cantakerous personality! I knew this was going to be a gentleman with whom I could enjoy doing bird photography! Gene is a gem—after all, as a family practice physician for decades, he had to possess the type of personality to deal with all walks of humanity in his medical practice. Thus, no problem in dealing with me! LOL!

In his zeal for learning various birds, warblers really piqued Gene's interest the most over these past several years. I would say with confidence that Gene's knowledge of Eastern warblers is now unmatched but by few.

Over the past 10 years, I have done bird photography with Gene in Michigan, and on the Blue Ridge Parkway, as well as in Georgia. We have also birded Southeast Arizona, Dauphin Island in Alabama, Tennessee, and Manitoba, Canada in our quest to photograph all the warblers of North America. Gene, with much research and time in the field, knows where to locate the birds with his uncanny ability to hear them sing or discern their chip notes. He knows how to position a photography "set-up" with the sun to one's back, use flowering branches for perches (in season) and to ultimately call the birds in to perch where they can best be photographed with a nice, compatible background as well. He has also over the years skillfully mastered the post-processing of his many images for maximum artistic presentation. I have watched his bird images over the years grow from mediocre to magnificent!

With all that said, I would certainly not hesitate to recommend my friend Gene Koziara to any bird photographer, no matter their skill level, to go on one of his Warbler Photography workshops. You will not only enjoy his easy-going personality (and the beautiful birds), but I have no doubt that you will also receive expert guiding. You will learn a great deal about warblers that you never knew before. As a result, you should acquire first-rate bird images of what many call the 'butterflies of birds.”

— David Cree
Peachtree City, Georgia