Tucson this weekend - DPChallenge Forums

06/12/2006 02:01:19 PM · #1

We're flying down to Tucson this weekend for the In-Laws 50th. Any recommendations for summertime shoots in Tucson? I shoot mainly wildlife. I was thinking about going to the Sonora Desert Museum again, but I checked their website and saw that the Raptor Free Flight program is only for the cooler months.

Maybe we can drive up Mt. Lemmon and look for deer, bear, and mountain lions. Any thoughts?

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

06/12/2006 02:30:24 PM · #2

Originally posted by scrum8:

There is always Suguaro National Park next to the desert museum and there may be a few suguaro blossoms still around, but it is getting hot these days. Early morning is best to catch wildlife. Though it is under renovation the mission San Xaxier Del Bac is a classic Tucson photo op and the Tumacacori mission further south is good to. Sabino Canyon on the south slope of the Santa Catalinas may be good for wildlife and nearby Ft. Lowell is a possibility if you like ruins.

Message edited by author 2006-06-12 14:34:58.

oOWonderBreadOo

Canon EOS-5D

06/12/2006 02:31:18 PM · #3

PM this guy he should be a big help for you. :0)

oOWonderBreadOo

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

06/12/2006 02:31:43 PM · #4

oops late again! :0P

06/12/2006 02:33:44 PM · #5

Originally posted by oOWonderBreadOo:

PM this guy he should be a big help for you. :0)

I don't know if I can help. My health has not been all that good. Laura, you know any nurses that might help me? ;)

06/12/2006 02:55:30 PM · #6

Wifey just gave me the agenda. Looks like we are doing the Gaslight Theater friday night, the Sonora Desert Museum saturday morning, and Tanque Verde Ranch sunday afternoon. That gives me friday morning/afternoon, saturday afternoon/evening, and monday for Sabino Canyon, Mt. Lemmon, and some other hiking.

I'm on night shift now, so I'll sleep on the flight down, and then try to adjust to daylight while we're there. Seems like early morning nature hikes ought to work out. Thanks.

06/12/2006 03:17:21 PM · #7

Originally posted by scrum8:

Do all your hiking as early in the day as possible. Mt. Lemmon would be the only possible exception. Though it is a dry heat down here, it is a HOT heat. LOL! And early morning is, by far, your best opportunity to capture wildlife.

For hiking the trail at the top of Sabino Canyon is good. I used to run it and the other trails running on either side of the canyon.

06/20/2006 10:51:27 PM · #8

Originally posted by stdavidson:

Back from Tucson. It was a little toasty (107 degrees on one day), but I took your advice and hit the trails early. Did Bear Canyon, Molina Canyon, Green Mountain Trail, and of course the Sonora Desert Museum.
Thanks.

06/21/2006 09:17:33 AM · #9

bump

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4.0-5.6G ED

06/21/2006 09:56:31 AM · #10

Great photography. Beautiful pictures. Sounds like you got a lot of hiking in for such a short visit. Green Mountain Trail alone is a "C" level hike according the Sierra Club. I haven't been in the Catalinas in a long, long time.

I don't recognize that first lizard. I've never seen it before but it is a really nice one I'd like to photograph sometime. The second one I think is a spiny lizard, clark's variety which is common throughout southern Arizona.

Can't remember what the reddish yellow flower is, it is non-native and used for landscaping but I like taking pictures on it. I'm guessing you did not see much blooming out in the desert. Except for the Suguaros it has been a sad year for desert blossoms, no wildflowers to speak of at all.

I think the bird is a Cactus Wren. If so that is the state bird of Arizona and has the most distintive mournful call of any desert bird. It and coyotes (not the smuggler variety) are what I always like to hear when out and about in the desert. Coyotes, of course, you only hear at night.

AzCKelly

Nikon D70s

06/21/2006 10:35:14 AM · #11

Wonderful pictures there! I wish I had seen this post earlier, there are packs of coyotes out by the base and are easily seen in the morning and javalinas(sp) at the base of the catalinas. With your equipment it would be no problem capturing at a safe distance.

I think the whole town is pretty much tired of the heat and ready for the monsoons to start. I know "I" am.

jenesis

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

06/21/2006 10:44:22 AM · #12

Glad I saw this thread, brings back wonderful memories of Tucson. I can't wait to move back there one day....probably won't be until I'm old and grey though. :(

Lovely photos. :)

06/21/2006 10:58:53 AM · #13

Originally posted by stdavidson:

I think the bird is a Cactus Wren. If so that is the state bird of Arizona and has the most distintive mournful call of any desert bird. It and coyotes (not the smuggler variety) are what I always like to hear when out and about in the desert. Coyotes, of course, you only hear at night.

Yep, it is a Cactus Wren. It had a nest in a cholla plant. It had two chicks in the nest, but I couldn't get a good picture of them without being a nuisance. At one point the wren caught a lizard and I was trying hard to get the shot, but all the other birds kept chasing and trying to steal its breakfast. Thanks.

06/21/2006 11:15:51 AM · #14

Originally posted by AzCKelly:

We've been to Tucson 5-6 times to visit the in-laws but never made it to the Base. The in-laws have coyotes and javelinas in the yard on a regular basis. Probably won't get back to Tucson for 12-18 months, but I'll keep the base in mind. Haven't gotten any group/pack photos of Coyotes yet, just solo.