Category Archive

Bobcat last night at the Desert Photo Retreat, near Tucson, Arizona.

Although we see our local pair on gray fox make the rounds and check out the bird feeders every evening – I have been generally surprised at the lack of other wildlife at night.  I hoped, and suspected this had to do in large part with my game camera that now actually has javelina teeth holes in one of the sensors.

So last night I put out two brand new game cameras.  Wow, there is a lot that goes on out here at night!  The camera at the water hole captured the gray fox pair at 4 different times during the night.  Plus, this bobcat who made himself at home.  A great-horned owl stopped in for a bath.  Plus, skunks, javelina even a small mouse.

I pointed the second camera at some hummingbird feeders and it showed a steady stream of bats coming in for a quick drink!

I will soon begin setting up remote triggers and flashes to capture more professional images of this activity – excited about all the possibilities!

Gray fox at play.

Looks like when I’m away the fox will play!  I made a quick trip to Alaska and back to check on our house.  While I was gone, I left a game camera at the waterhole.  It was fun to see the activity up there.  A single adult fox shows up regularly, but it isn’t very often I see both adults at the same time.  This same night both adults came down to camp and sat on a rock not far from Janine and the campfire – sorry I missed that moment!

A Phainopepla.

Phainopepla are regulars at the Desert Photo Retreat, but can be difficult to photograph since they don’t go to feeders.  I was able to photograph this guy yesterday as he has gotten very comfortable with my presence.

The finished lower blind.

I completed construction of the second blind last week, and now with blinds positioned for morning and evening we are ready for prime time!  In fact, we had guests here the past two nights and have about 15 nights already booked for this season.  The most recent guests said staying here “was magical”.

I have worked hard over the last two seasons building blinds, fixing waterlines – the list is long and not interesting, but now I’m excited to be shifting gears and getting back to photography and workshops at the Desert Photo Retreat!

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Curve Billed Thrasher

A curve-billed thrasher from the new morning blind.

Female cardinal, near Tucson.

Heavy rain last night sure has provided beautiful, rich colors this morning.  We received 1.25 inches of rain last night which is crazy considering Tucson didn’t receive any.

This is one of the first photos from my new blind which I just completed yesterday.  More photos to follow, but this gives folks a great morning option to go with my existing blind.  Plus, a little different habitat.

Desert Photo Retreat.

Last night’s sunset at the Desert Photo Retreat! Also had a new visitor last night – racoon.

Recent sunset. To give you an idea of what the property is like – not only am I standing on the property, but so are these beautiful saguaros, and our evening blind is just beyond the saguaros.  It is a beautiful location.

Looking for a last minute Christmas gift for the photographer in your life?  Maybe that might be you!  We have a great special from now until December 22.

Book an overnight stay in 2018 at Desert Photo Retreat and pay only $200 for one photographer, or $250 for two!  This gives you exclusive use of both photography blinds for the afternoon / evening and the following morning.  You won’t be sharing with any other photographers.  Plus, feel free to photograph the beautiful night sky!  And, you will have full access to our cute little Airstream.  As a guest said to us yesterday, staying in this Airstream is “way better then any hotel”.  Pay now for a 2018 reservation.