Additional Information

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• What Past Participants Have Said
• Lodging
• Fee for non-photographer spouse/guest
• Itinerary for the 2006 Workshop
• Extra Days
• Meals
• Transportation
• Optional E-6 film processing
• About the location
• Recommended camera equipment
• Flash equipment for hummingbirds
• Film recommendations
• A message from the trip leader

What Past Participants Have Said      (return to top)

"Your Hummingbird Workshop is one of the best I have attended. The personal help with camera equipment and special setups was outstanding! Your trips are fun and worthwhile learning experiences."

—Kay Hendrickson, California

"The trips are fun and you learn so much. Ralph is good at explaining and teaching the fundamentals of photography."

—Jo Helen Matheson, Texas (two–time participant)

Lodging      (return to top)
Trip fee includes six nights of lodging at the Santa Rita Lodge. Lodging is single occupancy in comfortable private rooms with king size or two double beds, kitchenette, private bath, television, private porch, bird feeders for each room and picture windows with an intimate view of the canyon’s wildlife.

Upgrade to a more spacious cabin for $100 when available.

Fee for non-photographer spouse/guest   (return to top)
$550 – must be reserved in advance.

Itinerary for the 2006 Workshops      (return to top)

• Day 1 (July 2)
  Afternoon arrival, move into lodging, evening orientation.
• Days 2–6
  Five full days of photography and hands–on instruction on the grounds of the Lodge. Optional field trip to area hummingbird hotspots.
• Day 7 (July 8)
  Check out of lodging in morning and depart for home.

Extra Days      (return to top)
Participants wishing to extend their Workshop stay for additional instruction and photography may do so by prior arrangement for a fee of $425 per day, which should be reserved in advance.

Meals      (return to top)
Your workshop fee includes dinner (picnic style after we finish shooting) for each of the five photo days. Most participants purchase supplies for breakfasts and snacks (we will assist you with this upon arrival and during the week), and we usually travel as a group to area restaurants for lunch, or you can elect to relax at the Lodge. Our meals are scheduled around the best photography times.

Transportation      (return to top)
We provide ground transportation during the Workshop, including trips into town for dinner and groceries and an optional field trip. We will pick you up and drop you off at the Tucson airport, which is less than an hour’s drive from the Lodge.

For your convenience and flexibility, you can bring your own vehicle or rent at the airport. The stores and restaurants of Green Valley are a 20 minute drive, and Tucson is 20-40 minutes beyond that. Parking is available at the Lodge.

Optional film processing      (return to top)
Overnight E-6 processing from a pro lab is available for a fee. We can usually drop off your film at lunchtime and pick it up the next afternoon. Most participants find this invaluable for gauging their progress and testing equipment.

About the location      (return to top)
Southeast Arizona is considered by many to be the best place in the United States to see and photograph hummingbirds. Four great biogeographical regions or biomes converge here—the Rocky Mountains, the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico, and the Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts. This diversity makes the area world-famous for its birds. For hummingbird photographers, several species that rarely venture north of the Mexican border are common here.

The Santa Rita Lodge is located in Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains, less than an hour south of Tucson. The Santa Ritas are one of Arizona’s "sky island" ranges, so-called because they are surrounded on all sides by desert and their cool and moist canyons form a natural oasis for wildlife. Fifteen species of hummingbirds (view list) have been sighted here. The abundance and variety of hummingbirds and other bird species at the Lodge is incredible and have made it famous with birders the world over.

The Lodge is at an elevation of five thousand feet and is cooler and shadier than the desert two thousand feet below. Five cabins and ten private rooms, all with large picture window views of the canyon, put you in close contact with nature in a wonderful setting.

We will set up to photograph hummingbirds on the grounds of the Lodge, right outside our rooms in the shade of the canyon’s beautiful Live Oaks. Broad–billed, Black–chinned, Magnificent, and Blue-throated Hummingbirds all nest here, and other species often visit the feeders. Be prepared for a superlative bird photography and learning experience.

Recommended camera equipment      (return to top)
35 mm SLR or medium format camera capable of firing an electronic flash, plus a tripod (mostly for the convenience of leaving your camera in place for periods of time at your setup). Lenses in to 200-400 mm range are useful for hummingbirds.

Zooms in this range are ideal for quickly adjusting the frame for species of different sizes. Hummingbirds are small; close focusing lenses and/or extension tubes are helpful.

Digital SLRs allow you to preview the effects of different flash arrangements and give you immediate confirmation that everything is working. Even if you want images on film, digital is great as a setup tool.

For photographing other birds around the Lodge, longer telephotos (400-600 mm + extenders) are useful.

We will provide detailed recommendations for participants. For more information, see our Hummingbird Photography Online Guide.

Flash equipment for hummingbirds      (return to top)
You will learn hands–on how to photograph hummingbirds, using high–speed flash at "outdoor studio" setups that we will create during the Workshop. These involve feeders, flowers, and background materials that we provide.

We will use multiple electronic flashes. You can get by with three, but four or five are better. I sometimes use six when lighting a large background. These flashes can be standard hot shoes flashes mounted on compact lightstands. We provide detailed equipment recommendations to participants.

We encourage you to bring your own flash equipment. Participants find it helpful to work with their own equipment, so they will be familiar using it after the Workshop. You will learn to set your flashes manually, so you don’t need expensive dedicated TTL units. I recommend owning one or two full-featured TTL flashes from your camera manufacturer (which give you maximum flexibility for all your flash photography). You can save money on extra flashes for hummingbirds by buying simple non–TTL flashes with manual power adjustment (e.g. the Vivitar 283 plus Vari–Power Adapter for $94 from B&H Photo).

I use Bogen (Manfrotto) light stands. I have been using the 7½' Lightweight Pro stands (2 lbs., collapses to under 27") in black (#3372 - $58). You can save a few dollars buying the silver model (#3097 - $50) but silver is more distracting. (Note: B&H sometimes lists the black version under "#3097 Black".)

Bogen now sells "Stacker" stands, which collapse smaller (25") and in a shape that allows easy stacking of several for travel (although they weigh slightly more). In this style I recommend the Stacker 7' Black (#3320B - $72) or the silver version (#3320 - $67); both weigh 2.4 lbs.

You need a means to mount the flash on the stand and tilt it. Compact ballheads work well, e.g., the Stroboframe Shoe Mount ballhead (#320-060 - $20, 1 oz.). It is also helpful to have one or more Bogen Mini-Clamps (#2940 - $15) and Articulated Arms (#2935 - $33). (Note: you don't need Magic Arms—they are too heavy for our uses.)

Contact us for more advice. You can also read more about equipment options at our Hummingbird Photography Online Guide.

We can also supply some flashes and equipment by prior arrangement. Contact us for details.

Film recommendations      (return to top)
I recommend ISO 100 or 50 slide film (e.g., Kodak E100VS, Fuji Velvia, Provia). Because the electronic flash freezes the motion of the hummingbirds, high speed film is not needed. Participants typically shoot 5-20 rolls per day.

Digital cameras are welcome, and are valuable for previewing the flash lighting when setting up, even if you shoot most of your "keepers" on film.

A message from the trip leader      (return to top)
"I am an enthusiastic and patient instructor and trip leader. I have been traveling to the Santa Rita Lodge for several years, and it is still my favorite location for hummingbird photography. I offer these trips because I enjoy teaching and I love the natural world. I will gladly share my knowledge and love of nature and photography with you, and help you get the most from your experience.

"My photographs are published in such magazines as Birder’s World, Birdwatcher’s Digest, Nature and Wildlife, Outdoor Traveler, and WildBird. My hummingbird photos appear in numerous calendars including Sierra Club and Audubon, and advertisements and books. I am a full time nature photographer and trip leader.

"Past participants have been very enthusiastic about their experiences. Our small group size allows you plenty of time for your questions. I work hard to make your trip memorable and productive. I hope you’ll consider joining us!

"Feel free to call, write, or E–mail if you have any questions. References from past participants are available upon request."

—Ralph Paonessa

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