The Arizona Desert Museum

The vast beauty and richness of the desert can be easily seen in one place in Tucson, Arizona. Known as the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum ["Desert Museum"], this gorgeous and convenient site is host to a cornucopia of plants, birds and animals native to the desert. Home to more than 300 animal species and 1200 plants in natural settings, it is a photographer's paradise.

Located in the Tucson Mountain Park just a few miles outside of Tucson, the Desert Museum was founded in 1952. The private, nonprofit organization, dedicated to the conservation of the Sonoran Desert, offers a zoological park, a botanical garden, an art gallery and a geology museum. The Desert Museum is a 15 minute drive from the heart of Tucson and is open every day of the year. Hours are from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. from October through February, and 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. from March through September. The entrance fee is $9 for adults.

While this is in fact a "museum," don't be confused by the name. The facility is out in the open and feels more like a zoo or a park. It includes almost two miles of paved and dirt paths through 21 acres of desert.

WHAT YOU CAN PHOTOGRAPH THERE

The hardest thing about this location is deciding what to photograph. Should you spend your time shooting in the cactus garden or the hummingbird aviary? Do you first go through the pollination garden filled with bees, butterflies and moths, or visit the several exhibits of mammals, including black bears, mountain lions, bighorn sheep, wolves, bob cat, fox and coyote? It will take several visits to take in all of this.

Docents - trained volunteers - wear white shirts and are available throughout the Museum to answer your questions and to give demonstrations. One docent enthusiastically shared his Mexican Boa snake with me, while another held a screech owl and explained the differences between the many species of owls. While there is much to photograph, don't become so enamored with the various subjects that you forget about making your best images. Backgrounds and people will be your biggest challenges. Tripods are allowed everywhere, but signs advise photographers to be mindful of the other visitors. Put your lens right up to the birdcages so that the cages are so out of focus they can't be seen in your final photo. Avoid photographing the animals in dappled or spotty light (where parts of the animal are in shade and other parts in light). Like many zoos, the animals often are sleeping around corners where they are difficult to photograph so talk with trainers, docents and museum staff to see when they feed the animals. This is when they will be most active.

TIPS FOR SHOOTING THERE

You also have to practice your technique. For example, the hummingbirds move fast as lightening, so it's impossible to follow them to shoot. Instead, look where they roost or feed, set up your shot for the best background, and then patiently wait for the hummingbirds to return - they will. While the light is best both morning and afternoon, the animals are more active early in the day. Be careful to avoid the bright background where the mountain lion likes to perch. Note that the Desert Loop Trail, home to the javelina and coyote, is a relatively steep and hot trail.

You'll want a long telephoto lens in the range of 300-400 mm to frame the wildlife. An extension tube or telephoto/macro will allow for close focusing of the hummingbirds. For the full compliment of images, add a wide-angle lens for the few landscape shots and a macro lens for the cactus garden. In addition to the birds and mammals, the Desert Museum has excellent reptile, invertebrates and underwater exhibits, as well as a mineral display. The light in these areas is inadequate for photography, however.

The heat of the desert makes it a difficult visit to the Desert Museum in summer. In October during my visit, the noonday heat was tolerable with a hat and sunglasses, but the temperatures were more comfortable during the early morning and late afternoon. One docent advised that April is the best time to visit for desert flowers, but she tells her friends to visit in March when it's cooler.

DIRECTIONS

For more information, check the website at www.desertmuseum.org, or call 520-883-1380. The address is 2021 N. Kinney Road, Tucson, AZ. To get there, take I-10 to the Speedway Boulevard exit and go west for about 10 miles. Note that Speedway Boulevard turns into Gates Pass Road along the way, and be sure to stop at the two scenic view turnouts there. Turn right at the dead end onto Kinney Road, and drive for three miles. The Desert Museum will be on your left. If you arrive via the Tucson airport, signs will direct you to the Desert Museum by way of Highway 86. I found this to be the longer and less efficient approach, but you see more of the beautiful Tucson Mountain Park this way. Also use this route if you are carrying a trailer, because the Gates Pass Road is steep and winding as it travels over a mountain pass. The Desert Museum provides a tremendous abundance of wonderful photographic and educational opportunities in one place, and is worth many visits.

MISCELLANEOUS

Food: There are four food facilities on the Desert Museum property, ranging from a snack bar to casual fine-dining. No picnicking is allowed inside the property due to the presence of animals, but a small picnic area is available just outside the entrance. Additional large picnic areas are located throughout the Tucson Mountain Park, including the San Juan Carlos picnic area adjacent to the Desert Museum on Kinney Road.

Lodging: Since the Desert Museum is close to downtown Tucson, there are lots of places to rent a hotel room. Convenient hotels include the Four Points Sheraton Hotel (800-843-8052), the Marriott University Park Hotel (520-792-4100), and the Red Roof Inn (520-744-8199). The Gilbert Ray Campground (RV friendly) is located on Kinney Road about two miles southeast from the Desert Museum (take a right turn when leaving the Museum).

Other Necessities: Restrooms, shaded rest areas and water fountains are scattered conveniently throughout the Museum, including on the relatively long, hot Desert Loop Trail. The Museum has two gift shops stocked with a supply of batteries, film and other necessities. Bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen and comfortable, sturdy shoes. Pants will keep the cactus needles at bay, especially if you venture into the desert for that sunset shot. The closest gas station and convenience mart are located four miles southeast (a right turn from the Desert Museum exit) on Kinney Road.

Caution: The sun can be harsh and the air is dry. Drink lots of fluids. Also note that pets are not allowed in the park because of the wildlife, but do not leave them unattended in your car. Wildlife, including snakes, lizards and coyotes, can roam throughout the Museum's grounds.

Other Local Areas of Interest: The Saguaro National Park (http://www.nps.gov/sagu/), another significant member of the Sonora Desert, borders the Tucson Mountain Park. Famous for its giant saguaro cacti that sometime reach heights of 50 feet, the Park offers several hiking trails and scenic drives that provide access to great photo opportunities. The Old Tucson Studio, where many cowboy movies have been shot, is just southwest of the intersection of Gates Pass Road and Kinney Road. On your way to the Desert Museum via Speedway Boulevard, you will pass The Wildlife Museum, full of stuffed animals from around the world. A couple of visitors to the Desert Museum told me that the Colossal Cave located in Vail, Arizona (about an hour drive from Tucson), which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is a must see. www.colossalcave.com

Copyright 2005 Carolyn E. Wright

--- ABOUT THE AUTHOR ---

Carolyn Wright is a professional photographer with an active portrait, event and nature photography business. Shooting for 25 years, her award-winning images have been used in books and corporate marketing materials. Her wildlife photos will be included in the upcoming book, "Captivating Wildlife - Images from the Top Ten Emerging Wildlife Photographers" by Scott Bourne and David Middleton. She also is working with Scott Bourne on "Wolfscapes," a photo book documenting the beauty and strength of wolves. Her wildlife images can be viewed at http://www.vividwildlife.com.. On the faculty of Olympic Mountain School of Photography, Carolyn's passion is enhanced when teaching photography. She enjoys writing and speaking on the subject, as well, and is a regular columnist for PhotoFocus, an online magazine for serious photographers.

---

Entering the World of Digital Video Cameras

Gone are the days when you would need to employ... Read More

Canadas Digital Cameras, Digital Camcorders and Cheap Memory Cards Canada

Digital SLR Camera or Digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera is... Read More

Seven Ways for Saving Your Digital Images Forever!

So, you have taken lots of pictures with your new... Read More

How To Become A Digital Photography Pro

Being a professional digital photographer is a dream many people... Read More

A Guide to Underwater Cameras

There are two types of underwater camera systems: an ""amphibious""... Read More

Freelance Photography: How to Begin Your Career

Photography is a vast world. There are many different types... Read More

Understanding Digital Photography

Most serious photographers and all professionals use a Single Lens... Read More

Digital Camera Reviews and Ratings De-Mystify the Choices

Shopping for a new digital camera can be quite frustrating... Read More

How to Easily Start Up Your Own New Photography Business From Home

With modern technology in the form of SLR digital cameras,... Read More

How to Take Great Photos of Your Child

Children are naturally photogenic. Ive worked in studios and children... Read More

Photography Workshops and Master Classes

Several years ago, I met a fellow photographer - albeit,... Read More

Terms Used The In The Stock Photography Business

So you are a small business person or web designer... Read More

Olympus Digital Cameras - Digging Into The History

One of the oldest companies, Olympus has had a long... Read More

Studio Photography and Digital Backgrounds

The article given here was written for Adobe Photoshop 5,6,7,CS,... Read More

Magic and the Photograph

It was widely reported in the press (15 September 1997)... Read More

Digital Camera Metering

Looking at the most intricate details of the digital camera... Read More

Candid Photography

Candid photography is photography that focuses on spontaneity rather than... Read More

Tips for Better Vacation Photos

Photos are a great way to share your travel experiences... Read More

The Primer on Digital Camera Printers

Once you have clicked photos through your digital camera, then... Read More

Digital Wedding Photography: Myth Vs. Reality

1. Myth: Digital photos are pixilated or fuzzy. Reality: most... Read More

How Many Megapixels Do We Need?

Are you having megapixel envy each time you walk by... Read More

Digital Camera Auto Exposure and Auto Focus

The digital camera being a fantastic and technologically advanced device... Read More

Tips for Purchasing a Digital Camera Lens

Your lens is an essential element to good photographs. It's... Read More

Extreme Digital Photography: Beyond Point-and-shoot

When my old Olympus digital camera got broke while caving... Read More

Digital RAW Workflow for Beginners

Having an efficient work flow is essential for photographers. In... Read More

Hyperfocal Focusing: What Is It And Why Should You Use It?

When should you use hyperfocal focusing? Well, sometimes when shooting... Read More

Inspired Vision

A picture is worth a thousand words, so goes a... Read More

Digital Camera Batteries

Every device needs a driving force to operate, just as... Read More

Light Meter Readings for Film and Digital

Reflected Light Readings for Film and Digital ImagesIn order to... Read More

Digital Camera Interpolation Explained

In a device such as a digital camera it is... Read More

Weddings, From a Photographers Point of View

Your wedding day is without a doubt one of the... Read More

Things You Should Know Before Buying A Digital Camera

In a traditional camera, the lens was king. If the... Read More

Tips for Taking Better Vacation Photos

Photos are a great way to share your travel experiences... Read More