Bird-photo set-ups in SE Arizona?

Hi,

With my planned trips abroad cancelled, I'm looking at where I go in the continental USA in the next few months. My current idea is driving to Arizona for bird & moth photography in late July/early August. It will be a long drive from Illinois but I'm not interested in flying and if I camp, it will be a fairly cheap trip.

I'm very familiar with the top birding spots but would like an update on any places that cater to bird photographers. I've visited Elephant Head Pond many times but not at that time of year. I'll reach out to Dano Grayson. I thought there was a place near Catalina SP but maybe not anymore. If there are B&Bs or hotels that have set-ups then I stay there (I'd happily skip camping!). Not too worried about hummingbird feeders as they are two-a-penny. Before I was into photography, and lived in Tucson, I remember finding small watering holes (esp. South Fork) and leaking pipes (Box canyon) that were magnets for birds. If you know of any please let me know.

And if you know anyone into mothing, again please let me know.

Cheers,

Jim

The place near the Catalinas is only open in Winter. It's called Desert Photo Retreat and it's run by Ron Niebrugge who spends summers in AK and winters in AZ:
https://desert-photo-retreat.com/

There are a couple of places in the Hereford area.  Battiste's Bed, Breakfast and Birds has photo blinds for guests.  Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary, just south of there, has a photo blind available for half or full day use.  Tony Battiste can probably tell you about that and hook you up if desired.  My caution would be at that time of year, birds are in really ratty, worn plumage from their nesting duties.  But I think that will be the case anywhere you go.
Another option over near Portal would be the Cave Creek Ranch.  They don't have photo set ups per se but a good garden and feeders and such.  It's been several years since I was there so do some double checking on that.  

Thanks for the help.

Jim

E.J. Peiker wrote:The place near the Catalinas is only open in Winter.  It's called Desert Photo Retreat and it's run by Ron Niebrugge who spends summers in AK and winters in AZ:
https://desert-photo-retreat.com/

Thanks a lot for the mention E.J.!  Yes, it is only in the winter.