SOUTHERN ARIZONA PHOTO TOUR

Saguaro sunset

April 19-24, 2020


**See itinerary below.

Why Take This Photo Tour With Us?

*We grew up in Southern Arizona and know the area well.
*Variety of both landscape and wildlife opportunities.
*Lodging is close to the photography.
*You don’t have to know your way around because we do all the driving.

We’ll spend five sun-filled days exploring the Sonoran Desert around Tucson. There are so many possibilities here that most photographers don’t quite know where to start. Between growing up in Tucson and making photo trips here every year for decades, we know where the special places are.

This time of year is our favorite time to visit Southern Arizona. While the wildflowers traditionally bloom in March, the bloom is very fickle; making for great photography only once a decade at most. We prefer to come to the desert later to catch the cactus blossoms--not nearly as dependent on rainfall as the wildflowers. Cactus plants in every shape and size, tiny hedgehogs to gigantic saguaros, will be decked out with flowers in every color of the rainbow.
Petroglyphs At Sunset
Saguaros
Plus, by late April many desert birds are nesting and their nests can be easy to find. Many are in eye-high cactus, and the birds are used to people, making it easy to photograph their comings and goings without disturbing them.

With even a little bit of luck, there will still be running water in some of the desert streams, and we'll spend some time working small waterfalls and reflections. We’ll also spend a full day at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. This zoo has some very photogenic exhibits including mountain lions, ocelot, bobcats, bighorn sheep, Mexican wolf, black bear and prairie dogs. The javelina and coyote exhibits are also workable possibilities. There is also a walk-in aviary filled with desert species (some nesting) and a separate walk-in hummingbird aviary (these birds may be nesting also). It’s also a great place to photograph a number of wild species such as lizards and wild nesting birds.
Cactus Wren At Nest
Spiny Lizard
The strangeness of the plants alone would be enough to occupy a photographer for years. Add desert waterfalls, some of the most vibrant sunsets on the planet, an incredible variety of bird life, as well as lots of reptiles just waking from a long winter’s sleep, and this trip promises to add some exceptional new subjects to your files.
Gilded Flicker
Sabino Canyon Reflection
ITINERARY:
Day 1: Travel to hotel, photograph in p.m.
Day 2-5: Photograph various various places in Sonoran Desert, including Saguaro National Park, Sabino Canyon and AZ-Sonora Desert Museum.
Day 6: Photograph San Xavier Mission in morning light.


+ Breakfast, dinner, lodging, critique and instruction as needed included.

$2,395

Deposit: $500

Airport: Tucson, Arizona (TUS)


Tour Cost Includes: Transportation, breakfast, dinner, snacks, water, lodging, entry fees, critique and instruction as needed.