
Reviews
A few short years ago I started seeing these beautiful photos of hummingbirds especially but many other great subjects and I just had to follow the pictures of Judy Malloch of Nature’s Tapestry. The more of her items I saw the more I wanted to see and went on her website that she shares with her husband Gary and found wonderful photo galleries of trips that they ran in Africa or Central and South America and I just know that Janyce and I had to take a trip with them and see these amazing birds and animals and learn more about how to be better photographers.
In 2017 we saw that Nature’s Tapestry was running a trip to Costa Rica so we signed up and met them there. It was a small trip with just six of us and we moved around many different places in the country where we photographed different types of birds and animals from the mountains to the coastal areas. It was wonderful. Our guide was wonderful providing not just guiding services but also he was a well known photographer who seemed to know everyone we all areas and also where to find the special things like the frogs and lizards that put extra definition to the days and made it very interesting. All of the different places they we stayed were very comfortable with great food and all of the amenities that we desired while still in rural setting where we found many things that you could only find in the more unsettled areas. We had many cultural experiences exploring the towns and villages when possible and meeting the wonderful people of the areas we went through.
We have been on many tours and trips over the years but this trip was very well suited to us and allowed us to see and do what we came to desire and there was no waste of time or resources on any unnecessary things. It was designed for people who are used to traveling and the group was full of great stories and memories that made the time fly. We saw many things that we never would have seen on other excursions that were not so well planned.
We enjoyed the experience so much that when they put out a trip for Ecuador in 2019 we could not wait to sign up. That trip had a larger group but was also executed flawlessly by Gary and Judy. Our friends could not believe the things that we saw and did and I feel we owe it all to them. Every day was a great experience and treasure our memories of it.
I highly recommend them to anyone interested in nature photography and travel in general. They will be in good hands. When this pandemic is finally over I can not wait to see what their next trip will be so that we can join them on the road again.
– Paul Spiessbach and Janyce Petitti
New Jersey
USA
– Dennis P. Burlington
Ontario
Canada
Dear Judy and Gary,
– Keith C. Hadley
Massachusetts
USA
– Jim and Lanette B.
Texas
USA
– Ken L.
Delray Beach, Florida
USA
If you want to have a superb experience, join a tour with the Mallochs and see what a quality tour company can make in your overall experience. I came away with so many photographs that I can truly call my time on tours with Nature’s Tapestry Photo ‘Adventure Tours “trips of a lifetime.
– Kevan S.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
USA
– Patsy H.
DICK HALL PRODUCTIONS, INC.
Bradenton, Florida
USA
The first part of the Namibia trip was to Etosha National Park, one of the largest wildlife parks in all of Africa. We spent six days here from morning to sundown taking pictures primarily of birds and animals. We saw huge herds of plains animals and quite a few predators as well on all days in Etosha. The different lodges we stayed at all had waterholes attached to the perimeter of the camp. Here animals came into drink day and night. Lights illuminate the waterhole at night and all kinds of animals visit to drink. Rhinos and elephants with their reflections in the water are really exciting to see.
The second part of the tour was to the beautiful desert dunes of West Central Namibia call Sossusvlei. Here we saw desert animals and the magical sand dunes that change color with the changing sun’s rays moving over the countryside. A special treat was our excursion to Dead Vlei. Here we saw trees over 900 years old standing in the pan of this beautiful place. The trees are naked and stark and provide excellent photo opportunities.
I was sorry when the tour ended but happy that I made the decision to join Nature’s Tapestry Photo Adventure Tours to Namibia. It was a trip I will remember all my life. I loved every minute of my trip and made friends for life with the other guests on the tour.
– Roni C.
Glen Cove, New York
USA
My first trip was to Costa Rica in 2016. We were escorted in a very nice air-conditioned bus throughout the trip. In addition, we were accompanied by a native Costa Rican guide (an invaluable resource and an excellent photographer himself), a Costa Rican bus driver and about eight other photographer guests on the trip. The number of photographers included on the trip was just right to allow important and valuable interaction between them and the two tour leaders and the guide. The tour leaders, Gary and Judy Lynn Malloch were very knowledgeable about the specific locations to obtain superb photos of the wildlife and the incredible scenery. All three of the tour leaders were always available to offer advice about equipment and technique. At one point, I could not get my tripod head to accept one of my lenses, so Gary and Judy were kind enough to allow me to uses one of their tripods. I later was able to fix my tripod. Gary and Judy were exemplary in placing us at the right places and at the right times to get the best photo results. They did not just drop us off and expect us to fend for ourselves. The leaders also photographed along with all of the guests providing advice about the correct lenses to use and the changing camera settings that were best to utilize.
My second trip was to Namibia, Africa in 2017. Again, the tour was professionally organized and run. The trip was incredible. There were only six people on the trip and again that allowed for excellent interaction and guidance. The lodging in each of the camps we stayed in was excellent along with the food. The weather in Namibia was excellent at the time we were on tour, very dry and not humid. The afternoons were in the mid 70’s and most comfortable. We drove ourselves on this tour in 4-wheel drive trucks and only had two photographers in the truck, one in the front and one in the back. Ample room was available to store our entire camera gear on the seat beside us. This was great as each photographer could shoot out of each side of the truck. The tour incorporated visiting Sossusvlei, including Dead Vlei, a private cheetah reserve, the Skeleton Coast where we saw the flamingos and a monster seal rookery and the trip highlight Etosha National Park. Again the tour leaders were extremely knowledgeable about where to be and when. They provided everyone excellent photographic opportunities every day of the trip. I personally came away with about 6,500 images, which one year later, I am still sorting through.
Overall I highly recommend Nature’s Tapestry Photo Adventure Tours.
– Dennis Z.
Cincinnati, Ohio
USA
I also went to Costa Rica once and twice to the Pantanal with Nature’s Tapestry Photo Adventure Tours. Each trip we were up and out at sunrise and only back in the afternoon at sundown. The wildlife experiences were better than I had anticipated with all of the tours I took. The time was spent with friendly people and a relaxed atmosphere. I highly recommend taking a tour with Judy and Gary. You will never regret it!
– William Spruance
Former President and current Webmaster of the Broward Camera Club
Current Member of the Pines West Camera Club
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
USA