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.
Lower Blind
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!
Female Cardinal
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.
Favorite Photos of 2017
Another busy but wonderful year! First year in a long time I didn’t travel to Antarctica, but still hit many amazing places.
For those interested, here are more: Favorite Photos of 2016 Favorite Photos of 2015, Favorites of 2014 Favorite photo of 2013 Favorite photos of 2012 – favorite photos of 2011 – favorite photos of 2010 – favorite photos of 2009 and finally, favorite photos of 2008.
So here are a few of my favorite images from the past year thanks to a tradition started by Jim Goldstein many years ago.
Javelina – two bodies one head?
We have spent a lot of time in Arizona developing the Desert Photo Retreat. I’m looking forward to many more photo opportunities from the area, these are a few including the crazy looking javelina.
Gilded Flicker, Desert Photo Retreat, Arizona.
A Gilded Flicker – maybe my favorite photo of the year.
Rainbow, Desert Photo Retreat, Arizona.
We sure had some cool weather in Arizona last winter.
Spring wildflowers, Desert Photo Retreat, Arizona.
Last spring was wonderful for desert wildflowers.
Pyrrhuloxia, Desert Photo Retreat, Arizona.
One of my favorite desert birds.
Gray fox, Desert Photo Retreat, Arizona.
Definitely one of my favorite desert mammals, and a daily visitor to the Retreat.
Double humpback breech – Southeast Alaska.
Two humpbacks in the air at once! During a spring trip to Glacier Bay National Park.
Holland America ship in front of the Margerie Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.
Another Glacier Bay image – scouting for this year’s photo tour.
Nursing brown bear cubs, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.
I had two of the best bear tours that I have had in many years. So many bears, lots of cubs and even a wolf!
Brown bear, Southeast Alaska.
My bear and whale yacht trips still end up being my favorite trips of the year, and were really productive again in 2017. We had everything from rain and fog, to hot sunshine.
Bald eagle, Southeast Alaska.
Tracy Arm.
Brown bear, Pack Creek, Southeast Alaska.
Star trails, Desert Photo Retreat, Arizona.
Back to the Desert Photo Retreat – so much to photograph here.
Seward Boat Harbor, Alaska.
Have to have an image from the hometown!
Polar bears playing in Alaska.
From a trip I help guide.
Howler monkey in Costa Rica.
A final image from a fun trip to Costa Rica this fall!
Holiday Special!
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.
Javelina Family
Javelina mom with young, Desert Photo Retreat, near Tucson, Arizona.
I suspect years from now our pack of javelina (are they called packs?) will still be talking about December 7, 2017 as it had to be their greatest day ever! First, heavy wind over night knocked down the feeders in all three of our bird locations, so not only were they able to find quail food, but also found lots of expensive high quality food usually reserved for the cardinals, wrens and pyrrhuloxia .
But later that day they discovered the wind had blown open the door on our shipping container and once inside they found where I keep the quail block. Jackpot! I must say, I had my hands full shooing these feisty guys out of the container! Especially the last two who really didn’t want to leave.
Unfortunately it hasn’t been as good of a month for the javelina babies. There were 6 when I first arrived, and they now appear to be down to 3. Last winter they started with two babies and kept them alive all season. I believe they are the sub-adults I’m seeing now.
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