My fourth out of classroom photo workshop with Arizona highways took me south, away from the familiar stomping grounds in Northern Arizona.

If you’ve never been to the Sonoran Desert Museum in Tucson you really must treat yourself next time you’re in southern Arizona.  They do a wonderful job of showing off the Sonoran desert and educating you at the same time. This workshop was in November which was perfect timing for me as Flagstafaff, at 7,000 feet in elevation, cools off considerably by then and the southern deserts are still shorts weather!

Long lenses and short lenses were both handy depending on which exhibit we were photographing.

We got up close and personal with some large mammals.

The aviary let us get close to the feathered citizens as well.

Trust me, this guy was behind glass in the reptile exhibit. Tripods were necessary. Luckily they held still.

Our workshop was provided with an opportunity to see several animals in person without the safety of an enclosure. The porcupine was pretty cool and much more interested in his vegetables on the cart than shooting pines at us.

The highlight of the day, for me, was the Free Flight Raptor Show. Here we were treated to birds of prey, in-flight, doing their “thing”. The would soar and swoop from location to location retrieving meat left on branches by the falconers.

The area was packed with people so a long lens was a must.

The birds moved quickly so a fast shutter speed was also a must to stop action.

I also encourage you to look around at the flora of the Sonoran desert. If you were to come and shoot in the spring I have no doubt some of these cactus would be in full bloom.

Zoo’s can be depressing with all the sadness of the caged animals but they can also be a wonderful way to see and photograph animals you’d never see on an ordinary day. When it is safe to do so again, check it out!

Stay safe out there and Happy Shooting!