Capturing The Beauty Of Southern Arizona: A Weeklong Birding Photography Adventure

In this video, I take you along on a week of birding in southern Arizona. We hit all of the birding hotspots as well as some hidden gems. Madera Canyon, Mt. Lemmon, and Sweetwater Wetlands just to name a few. I think I made some great images throughout the week and it was a great trip. Enjoy the video!

[@douglaskaye1395]

Can’t go wrong with Zeiss!!!

[@ScottHammel005]

They are very nice for sure!

[@joncothranphotography9375]

Great stuff! I found a species of bird that I really loved to see as well. The Cedar Waxwing is one of my favorites. That looked like a cool trip. I'm sure that it is awesome to spend that time with your dad. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

[@judygilbert9628]

Lot of good information. I will be in Tuscon area March 25 . Thanks so much!

[@ScottHammel005]

Glad it was helpful!

[@garyives1218]

Camped at Rose Lake on Mt Lemmon and really like a few pics I got of Yellow Eyed Junco visiting me. One right next to my cap on my table, another of one checking out my coiled up bungee cord on a rock in front of my motorcycle. Yeah, like them.

[@ScottHammel005]

It's those yellow eyes that just makes them stand out, they're great!

[@JonnyPink65]

An absolutely amazing adventure. I think I am going to have to drive up there for some photography!!! LOVE the photos and thank you for sharing!!! 💖🤗

[@ScottHammel005]

Thanks so much! The later we get in to Spring, the better it will get down in that part of Arizona. Good luck when you go!

[@JonnyPink65]

@@ScottHammel005 I will use your video as a guide for my video when I go. There are two places here I want to hit. We don't have those hummingbirds here in Sothern California. The one that did come up recently was so special, it even made the news!! Thank you again. 💖🤗

[@tracyreaume6451]

New subbie from Alberta, 🇨🇦. Great video! 😊

[@ScottHammel005]

Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed!

[@LiLi-qz1nc]

Really enjoyed this, on my way to Tucson for migration and your suggestions will be very helpful. Looking forward to more of your videos...LiLi from CT

[@ScottHammel005]

Awesome, glad the video helped! Have a great trip!

[@bruceholmes4006]

Scott, thanks for the video. I have been to many of the places you shared as I lived in Arizona for many years so brought back nice memories. The Cow story around Patagonia lake was great. I actually was around that lake when I was "stuck between two cattle and had to "bushwack" my way out of there. Thought it was better than piss-off cattle with horns. But it gets dense around there so better to use a trail.

[@ScottHammel005]

Yeah I didn't realize the ranches were so close there and shared range!

[@craigpiferphotography]

Great adventure(s).

[@ScottHammel005]

Yeah it was fun! Got to see some good stuff! Damn barn owls though!

[@rogerashley8616]

I went to SE Arizona last July and and being from Tennessee practically every bird I saw was new to me. Ended up with 84 new birds to my photography list including 13 different species of Hummingbirds. It was a great trip. Going back this July because the one bird I wanted the Elegant Trogon evaded me lol plus there are a few others I like to get. Enjoyed your video !

[@ScottHammel005]

Thanks for the comment Roger! Yeah SE AZ brings me a ton of new species as well and I'm not that far away in Colorado. We kept our eye open for the Trogon as well but March was definitely a little early in Spring to have a realistic shot at it. I definitely plan to go back next year later in the Spring migration. Good luck and enjoy it when you go in July!

[@rogerashley8616]

@ScottHammel005 thanks Scott, and good luck to you also !

[@Haastility87]

Another excellent video, Scott! Thank you for sharing. Owls have consistently been my nemesis as well.. I was finally able to find some burrowing owls at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal but the heat distortion made it nearly impossible to photograph :( I keep trying to go out and find some GHOs but that has also proven to be difficult. Very exciting about the ZEISS binoculars, enjoy those!

[@ScottHammel005]

Yeah those burrowing owls are so tough! Thanks for the nice comment, I really appreciate it!

[@daram5257]

You got some great shots and video - thanks for sharing! I’m heading to a few of these spots in a couple of weeks. Also did a trip last year to Costa Rica - did a private birding tour with a local guide who was amazing if you want a referral.

[@ScottHammel005]

Awesome, enjoy your trip! I am already booked through a tour company for Costa Rica (PIB - Partnership for International Birding) so I think I'm good to go there. Thank you though, I appreciate it!

[@ESan-yq1tm]

Mr. Hammel. Excellent video. Thank you. Watching from Puerto Rico.

[@ScottHammel005]

Thank you for the kind words! I need to get down to PR for some photography for sure at some point

[@markzambrowski5319]

Great video, very helpful for our upcoming trip. Where were the burrowing owls in Marana? Near the water treatment plant?

[@ScottHammel005]

Yep, right by there!