I leave for Gilbert, AZ on Friday and returning home on April 9th..
Do any of you FM'ers know anything about the "Desert Museum" near Tucson, AZ? I found thier website at www.desertmuseum.org. They are suppose to have many different kinds of hummingbirds and other species on the grounds. Or, do you know of any other interesting places to shoot?
The Sonora Desert Museum is an excellent place to shoot! There is an enclosed aviary and a lot of hummers. They have animals common to that region. The Phoenix zoo and botannical gardens are also worth while. We've enjoyed the drive (and photos) out Hwy 60, through Apache Junction, to the reservoir and back. There is a variety of cactii on the drive, and they are easily accessible to the highway. Some like the Biosphere, NW of Tucson. Sedona is a couple of hours North.
GCasey wrote:
The Sonora Desert Museum is an excellent place to shoot! There is an enclosed aviary and a lot of hummers. They have animals common to that region. The Phoenix zoo and botannical gardens are also worth while. We've enjoyed the drive (and photos) out Hwy 60, through Apache Junction, to the reservoir and back. There is a variety of cactii on the drive, and they are easily accessible to the highway. Some like the Biosphere, NW of Tucson. Sedona is a couple of hours North.
GCasey,
Thank you, I really appreciate your kind reponse. I've been to Sedona, it's beautiful. I will head out to the museum, I thought that it might be a good place to go, and with your response, it will be a trip. Thank you again.
Larry
Was there last week, in fact just posted some shots of the hummers and other things here earlier today. I believe they have Anna's, Costa's and Magnificent in the hummingbird enclosure at present. Two nesting birds. One feeding and one still sitting eggs as of last week. Both nests within a few feet of the trail, but low light, and hard to get folks to let you in for the shot you want. Last time there we got some good Magnificent shots, this time they were all up near the netting, and so it goes. They do allow tripods, but I shot hand held. Move slow, watch where the birds come to. They will return to the same spots. You usually get shots off the feeders and in the brush. The docents are happy to help you find the birds and nests if you strike up a conversation.
As to the ASDM overall, I love the place. Photographically, it's challenging because of all the different environments. This last time I tried some stuff in some of the low light environments... the reptiles, amphibians, fish, and whatever a millipede is.
The raptor free flight is indeed in progress, although we missed it. Did see a handler with a fine owl though.
The regular bird aviary is also a favorite. Many doves, a parrot, some grosbeaks, a flicker, pyrhuluxia (I'm not spelling it right), cardinals, much more.
Many wild cactus wren and gila woodpecker running wild throughout ASDM.
Cat Canyon is not to be missed.
In the area, I also highly recommend the Apache Trail east of PHX, Saguaro NP East near Tucson, and Sabino Canyon in Tucson. Sabino has been a hit with me for birds every time I've gone. Last week there were quail just out back of the visitor center where the tour buses load, and a roadrunner. Always cardinal, pyrhuxlihoiinjvrykjieoien (whatever) , and more. Most birds out on the plain below the canyon.
The raptor free-flight at the Desert Museum is a don't miss as the stars of the show are two to three Harris' hawks...there are two shows...one about 1100 and the other at 1400 or so...check out the times on their webpage. I've looked for Harris' hawks in the wild for 4.5 years and only seen one pair so the show is well worth the time invested. Set up by the stone bridge for the best angles and sun.
Benzzene wrote:
The raptor free-flight at the Desert Museum is a don't miss as the stars of the show are two to three Harris' hawks...there are two shows...one about 1100 and the other at 1400 or so...check out the times on their webpage. I've looked for Harris' hawks in the wild for 4.5 years and only seen one pair so the show is well worth the time invested. Set up by the stone bridge for the best angles and sun.
Nice 1st post, buddy! Have a great trip, Larry.
Twisties wrote:
Was there last week, in fact just posted some shots of the hummers and other things here earlier today. I believe they have Anna's, Costa's and Magnificent in the hummingbird enclosure at present. Two nesting birds. One feeding and one still sitting eggs as of last week. Both nests within a few feet of the trail, but low light, and hard to get folks to let you in for the shot you want. Last time there we got some good Magnificent shots, this time they were all up near the netting, and so it goes. They do allow tripods, but I shot hand held. Move slow, watch where the birds come to. They will return to the same spots. You usually get shots off the feeders and in the brush. The docents are happy to help you find the birds and nests if you strike up a conversation.
As to the ASDM overall, I love the place. Photographically, it's challenging because of all the different environments. This last time I tried some stuff in some of the low light environments... the reptiles, amphibians, fish, and whatever a millipede is.
The raptor free flight is indeed in progress, although we missed it. Did see a handler with a fine owl though.
The regular bird aviary is also a favorite. Many doves, a parrot, some grosbeaks, a flicker, pyrhuluxia (I'm not spelling it right), cardinals, much more.
Many wild cactus wren and gila woodpecker running wild throughout ASDM.
Cat Canyon is not to be missed.
In the area, I also highly recommend the Apache Trail east of PHX, Saguaro NP East near Tucson, and Sabino Canyon in Tucson. Sabino has been a hit with me for birds every time I've gone. Last week there were quail just out back of the visitor center where the tour buses load, and a roadrunner. Always cardinal, pyrhuxlihoiinjvrykjieoien (whatever) , and more. Most birds out on the plain below the canyon.
Benzzene wrote:
The raptor free-flight at the Desert Museum is a don't miss as the stars of the show are two to three Harris' hawks...there are two shows...one about 1100 and the other at 1400 or so...check out the times on their webpage. I've looked for Harris' hawks in the wild for 4.5 years and only seen one pair so the show is well worth the time invested. Set up by the stone bridge for the best angles and sun.
Yo Benzzene,
You and everyone else sure have my heart pounding and ready to go. Thank you so much for your response. I will be going...............
Larry
trenchmonkey wrote:
Nice 1st post, buddy! Have a great trip, Larry.
Yep, I'm hoping for a good trip. I will be seeing my youngest daughter and my two grandchildre..............
Larry
The wildflowers are in bloom right now. I went to Bartlett Lake today and posted some shots over in the Landscape forum. I have a few more that I will be posting here shortly.
Enjoy Gilbert, I was there a couple of weeks ago, great place. Here is a link to a guy that rents out blinds south of Tucson. http://www.phototrap.com/pond.htm
Terence K. wrote:
The wildflowers are in bloom right now. I went to Bartlett Lake today and posted some shots over in the Landscape forum. I have a few more that I will be posting here shortly.
Terence,
Thank you for the flower in bloom info, that's going to be the icying on the cake. Looking forward to the trip. Again, thank you.
Larry
HansB wrote:
Enjoy Gilbert, I was there a couple of weeks ago, great place. Here is a link to a guy that rents out blinds south of Tucson. http://www.phototrap.com/pond.htm
Hans,
Thank you for the website, I shall look into it.
Larry
I was there a few weeks ago as well. The Desert Museum is great, the day we were there happened to be a wild Harris Hawk come in durning the show. If you view images in the link below, the Harris feeding is the wild one.
I was there a few weeks ago as well. The Desert Museum is great, the day we were there happened to be a wild Harris Hawk come in durning the show. If you view images in the link below, the Harris feeding is the wild one.
, and more. Most birds out on the plain below the canyon. 
Have a great trip, Larry. 
