Trogon Photo Tours

ARIZONA BIRDS AND BATS

May 18-23, 2021

Photo Workshop: Join Ken Archer for 5 great days of photography in Southern Arizona.  During this workshop we will use mutli-flash and photo trap setups to capture stunning images of hummingbirds and bats.  We will also help you capture super action shots of native Arizona bird species from blinds at waterholes and water drips. Ken will give presentations on photographing birds in the wild, using flash for bird photography and raw image processing.  We will have sessions on the hummingbird multi-flash setup where you can photograph up to 4 species of hummingbirds, we will have 2 evening bat and owl photography sessions and many sessions photographing birds from blinds.  We will also do some natural light set up hummingbird photography.  You will need a minimum of a 300mm lens or 200mm lens with teleconverter.  For the hummingbirds and bats you don't need a larger lens than that, for the other birds more focal length is desirable. 

Leader:  Ken Archer.  Ken Archer has been photographing the wildlife of the American West for over 25 years and leading workshops with Trogon Photo Tours for the past 9 years.  

Maximum participants: 5

Cost and logistics:  $2,975 per photographer, $350 single supplement, $800 deposit for September 2020.  Cost of nonphotographer spouse/companion joining is $1,500.  Includes all photo instruction, local transportation, guiding, property use fees, 2 evening bat sessions and lodging.  It does not include meals other than some breakfasts.  Fly to Tucson, AZ or drive to the workshop hotel, the Green Valley Best Western to begin the workshop.    There are 2 bat photography sessions included, you can add more if you wish for an additional fee. 



Itinerary:

May 18th - Arrive to Tucson, AZ.  If you fly in we will arrange your transfer to Green Valley, AZ Best Western.  The workshop starts at 5pm when Ken will give his presentation on photographing birds in the wild with question and answer period. Best Western Green Valley

May 19th and 20th - Morning and afternoon bird photography sessions in the desert blinds at Amado, AZ.  Target species here include Gambel's Quail, Roadrunner, Phainopepla, Orioles, Pyrrhuloxia and many others.  Evening bat photography sessions during which we also have a good chance to photograph Screech Owls.  We will also visit other bird photography blinds in the mountains nearby which attract other species such as Acorn Woodpecker, Scott's Oriole and more.  Best Western Green Valley

May 21st - Morning bird photography at Amado, AZ.  Then check out and transfer to Santa Rita Lodge in Madera Canyon.  Afternoon multi-flash hummingbird photography.  The most common species are Black-chinned and Broad-billed but other species such as Magnificent often show up as well. Santa Rita Lodge    

May 22nd - Full day of multi-flash photography and photography of other birds around the lodge and in the canyon.  Nesting Elegant Trogons live in the sycamores which line the creek behind the lodge and other great birds like Townsend's Warblers and Painted Redstarts are common in the area. In the evenings we will try for Ringtail Cat which lives behind the lodge. 

May 23rd - One last morning of hummingbird photography followed by check out and return to the airport.