Photo Tours and Workshops

Join professional nature photographer, John Slonina, for a photo tour or photo workshop to some of North America's most beautiful and wild places. We visit several national parks which include Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Great Smoky Mountains, Acadia, Everglades, Mt Rainier, Olympic, Arches, Canyonlands, Big Cypress, Alaska, Katmai and Lake Clark. We lead moose and bear photography workshops, photo classes and photo safari's. We also teach Lightroom and Photoshop.

Our group size is small. All skill levels are welcome from beginner to professional.

Best of Arizona Birds

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Lazuli_Bunting_Arizona_Bird_Photo_Tour_Workshop-8907-web.jpg
Pyrrhuloxia.jpg
Arizona_Birds_Workshop_Western_Tanager.jpg
Vermilion_Flycatcher_Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop-8545.jpg
ElegantTrogon_CaveCreekCanyon.jpg
Roadrunner_Arizona_Bird_Photo_Tour_Workshop-7819.jpg
Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop_Scotts_Oriole.jpg
Phainopepla_Arizona_Bird_Photo_Tour_Workshop-2088.jpg
Magnificent2.jpg
HoneybeeCanyon2_Tucson.jpg
Arizona_Birds_Workshop_violet_crowned_hummingbird.jpg
GreatHornedOwlets_PortalAZ.jpg
CrestedCaraCara_chicks_AZ.jpg
Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop_Hooded_Oriole.jpg
Lizard2.jpg
Summer_Tanager_Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop-0750.jpg
Summer_Tanager_Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop-4875.jpg
Arizona_Birds_Workshop_Black_Headed_Grosbeak.jpg
Pyrrhuloxia_Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop-5622.jpg
javalina.jpg
vermilionFlycatcher_Arizona_PhotoTourWorkshop.jpg
Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop_Townsends_Warbler.jpg
Saguaro_National_Park_Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop_flowering saguaro.jpg
Pygmy_Owl_Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop-9851.jpg
Arizona_Birds_Workshop_Avocets.jpg
Female_Rivoli's.jpg
Hepatic_Tanager_AZ_Photo_Tour_Workshop-JB.jpg
Blue_Throated_Mountain_Gem_AZ_Photo_Tour_Workshop-JB.jpg
Scott's_Oriole_Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop-3557.jpg
acornwoodpecker_Arizona_PhotoTourWorkshop.jpg
Pond_Slider_AZ_Photo_Tour_Workshop-9995.jpg
gilawoodpecker_water.jpg
Phainopepla_Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop-8930.jpg
Elegant_Trogon_Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop-1827-2 (1).jpg
Roadrunner_Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop-1358.jpg
Lizard_backyard_tucson.jpg
Harris_Antelope_Squirrel_AZ_Photo_Tour_Workshop-3092.jpg
broadbilledhummingbird_Arizona_PhotoTourWorkshop.jpg
Cara_Cara_Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop-7678.jpg
Black_Headed_Grosbeak_Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop-6083.jpg
Arizona_Birds_Workshop_Screech_Owl.jpg
Cardinal_Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop-5649.jpg
Yellow_Beasted_Chat_Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop-5275.jpg
Costas_Hummingbird_AZ_Photo_Tour_Workshop-JB2.jpg
Lazuli_Bunting_Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop-4783.jpg
Bullocks_Oriole_Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop-4209.jpg
Gambels_Quail_Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop-7650.jpg
Great_Horned_Owl_Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop-0033.jpg
GambelQuail.jpg
Black_Throated_Sparrow_Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop-3924.jpg
Elf_Owl_Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop-7899.jpg
saguaroroad2.jpg
Arizona_Birds_Workshop_PricklyPear.jpg
Arizona_Birds_Workshop_Lucifer_Hummingbird.jpg
Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop_Hepatic_Tanager.jpg
NorthernCardinal2.jpg
Arizona_Birds_Workshop_Cactus_Wren_Saguaro.jpg
Cactus_Wren_Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop-6660.jpg
redheadduck.jpg
Whiite_Wnged_Dove_Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop-6920.jpg
curvebilled.jpg
Arizona_Birds_Workshop_Ruddy_Duck.jpg
Arizona_Photo_Tour_Workshop_AZWoodpecker.jpg
Arizona_Birds_Workshop_GreentailedTowhee.jpg
Arizona_Birds_Workshop_Avocet.jpg
Arizona_Birds_Elf_Owls.jpg
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Best of Arizona Birds

from $350.00

Join us on a bird and wildlife photo workshop or photo tour to some of the best locations in Southeast Arizona. Southeastern Arizona is renowned for its rich biodiversity and is a popular destination for birders. The region boasts diverse habitats, including mountains, canyons, grasslands, and desert, which provide a home to a wide variety of bird species.

We will be spending seven days photographing birds during the heart of spring migration. This is an excellent time for observing a greater variety of bird species. Our goal is to photograph the many hummingbirds found in this region including Broad-billed, Costa’s, Violet-crowned, Blue-throated Mountain Gem, Lucifer, and Rivoli. Other bird species may include Phainopepla; Pyrrhuloxia; Cactus Wren; Green-tailed, Canyon, Spotted, and Abert’s Towhee’s, Curve-billed and Bendire’s Thrasher; Gambel’s and Montezuma Quail; Summer, Western, and Hepatic Tanagers; Hooded, Scott’s, and Bullock’s Orioles; Greater Roadrunner; Black-headed and Rose-Breasted Grosbeak; Vermilion Flycatcher; Lazuli Bunting; and Bridled and Juniper Titmouse. There are many warblers including Painted Redstart, Red-faced, Lucy’s and Olive. Arizona is home to 12 types of woodpeckers and we may spot several including Acorn, Gila, Arizona, Lewis’s, and Ladder-backed. Other highlights might include Elf Owls, Pygmy Owls, Crested Cara Cara, Great-Horned Owls, and other raptors.

Birders and nature enthusiasts flock to Arizona in hopes of catching a glimpse of the Elegant Trogon. Observing these birds often requires patience and a keen eye, as they can be quite secretive and well-camouflaged in their natural habitat. Nonetheless, the opportunity to see such a magnificent bird in the wild is a remarkable experience for bird lovers. We will take you to several hotspots where we might get the chance to photograph this elusive bird.

We will be visiting several A+ locations, some of the best in the state. Each area is handpicked to provide the best photographic opportunities in a wide variety of habitats. This includes several wetlands and parks in the Tucson area as well as the Huachuca, Chiricahua and Santa Rita mountain ranges. We will also be visiting the homes of several bird experts who have created backyard sanctuaries for hummingbirds and other species. Their set-ups allow for diverse backgrounds and allow you to get fairly close to the action.

Enjoy Arizona during prime birding time and expect to photograph thousands of species! You will also get the chance to photograph other wildlife such as Javalina, coyotes, bobcats, and the many reptiles that call this place home.

Dress appropriately: Arizona's climate can vary, so check the weather forecast before your trip and pack accordingly. Wear comfortable, lightweight clothing suitable for outdoor activities. Consider wearing muted or camouflage colors to blend in with the surroundings and avoid disturbing the birds.

Since we will be shooting a high volume of pictures, please bring a lot of memory cards. We also recommend you bring a portable external hard drive to back up your images. We recommend a 400+ mm lens. The longer the better. Many companies rent lenses if you don’t already own one. Please contact us for suggestions.

When:
April 15- April 21, 2027 (sold out)

April 23-29, 2027 (4 spaces left)

Itinerary:

Day 1: Meet at the hotel at 11 a.m. and check out. The hotel has a free shuttle from the airport. We will start the drive to Portal and discuss the week ahead. Along the way, we will make a stop to look for American Avocet, Black-Necked Stilt, and other birds at a well-known playa.

Day 2: We will spend the day photographing birds in and around the popular birding town of Portal. Visits to local birders’ backyards will provide opportunities for close-up shots of numerous bird species, including various hummingbirds like the Broad-Billed, Blue-throated Mountain Gem, Costa’s, Lucifer, and Rivoli’s. Our itinerary also includes a visit to Cave Creek Canyon to look for the elusive Elegant Trogon.

Day 3: We will begin the day with a sunrise shoot before heading west to explore several canyons. Here, we will look for various hummingbirds, Elf, Pygmy, and Great Horned Owls, along with a variety of other bird species.

Day 4: Our focus will be photographing birds in the surrounding area, particularly the picturesque Ramsey and Ash Canyon. Utilizing bird blinds and backyard setups, we will have the opportunity to observe and photograph bird behavior up close.

Day 5: Another sunrise photo session kicks off the day. After checking out of our hotel, we will return to Tucson, stopping at the well-known Paton Center for Hummingbirds. Here, we may spot various hummingbirds, Gila Woodpeckers, Yellow-breasted Chats, Western and Summer Tanagers, Northern Cardinals, and many other species. En route to Tucson, a stop at Madera Canyon may offer sightings of various hummingbirds, Hepatic Tanagers, Bridled Titmouse, Acorn Woodpeckers, Black-Headed Grosbeak, Yellow-eyed Junco, and more.

Day 6: Sunrise shoot, and we will spend the day exploring the Tucson area, visiting several birding hotspots.

Day 7: We will start the day with a sunrise photoshoot at a local wetland in Tucson, where we may encounter Roadrunners, Bobcats, and various duck species. Then we will return to the hotel for 10 AM before check-out, marking the conclusion of the tour.

Getting There:
Tucson International Airport (TUS)

Skill and Fitness Levels:
Anyone with an interest in photography, from beginner to professional. The participants should have a love of birds and enjoy the company of other people in a small group setting.

This trip will involve some short flat walks. Some of the walks will be up to 2 miles. Participants should be in good health and self-sufficient.

Price Includes:

  • 6 nights double occupancy lodging. If you prefer your own private room (single occupancy). it is an additional $350. Please select the Single Room option on the shopping cart if you want this option.

  • Professional instruction on nature photography and wildlife behavior.

  • Permits, admission and entrance fees.

  • Transportation from hotel to the field locations. There is a free shuttle to and from the hotel. No need to rent a car.

Not Included:

  • Food and drinks. We will eat at local restaurants. Each participant is responsible for their own food tab.

  • Air travel is not included.

We will help you create beautiful images but also teach you skills and techniques you can use to take your photography to the next level. When the tour is over, you will have a solid understanding of nature photography and your camera.

Price:

Cost: $4995 per person

Deposit: $1000 per person (this reserves your spot)
Balance: $3995 (due six months before tour begins)
Single Room Upgrade: $350 (this will give you a private room)

Payment:

Payment can be made by check to Slonina Photography. We also accept credit cards through our online shopping cart.

Cancellation Policy:

Click here to see Testimonials.

Tour Guides:

John Slonina (leader)
Jenny Bowlden (leader, based in Tucson with extensive experience photographing birds in Southeast Arizona)

A professional nature photographer who has been photographing for several decades. During the workshop, you will receive information on photography techniques and the natural world. Understanding the natural world not only increases your appreciation of nature but also helps you become a better nature photographer.

We hope you can join us! If you have any questions, please contact us.

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