30 Aug How to Find an Elegant Trogon | Aug 2016

Elegant Trogon

Elegant Trogon, Male

First, if you want to find an Elegant Trogon, you’ll have to go where they live.

You probably knew that.

In the United States, one such location is Madera Canyon (in southeast Arizona).

Then, there are two approaches.

For example, the first one (which everybody recommends) is: Wake before sunrise, drive up the canyon to the end of the road, hike about a half mile up the mountain on the Carrie Nation Trail to the bench, then look to the right at a large Cottonwood Tree.

I tried this four times. And I was able to find the bird once, resulting in the above photo. Even though it’s a bad photo, at least you can see enough field marks to tell that I really did find the bird.

Pause for a brief celebration.

Elegant Trogon, Male

Now, the second approach is different.

In this case, you let the bird find you.

I was staying at the Chuparosa Bed & Breakfast in August 2015. While on their patio, I heard the distinctive call of an Elegant Trogon, looked up, and saw the bird.

It was so close I was unable to fit the entire bird in the photo frame.

So the above photo is sort of a portrait view.

And there’s a point here.

In photography, we talk about “Taking” a photo.

While that may be true in a studio, it’s different with wildlife.

Actually, some of your best photos find you. In that case, you receive the photo. So each special photo is a gift.

And that’s why when I receive a photo like this one, I pause to say, “Thank you.”

Much success,

Steve Kaye

PS: I added this photo to Birds Up Close

Find more photo tips at:

Wet Warblers

How to Be Lucky

The House Finch Project

Help Birds Tip

Join an Audubon Chapter

Why #1: Audubon works to protect birds.

Why #2: You will support their work, learn more about birds, and meet extraordinary people.

How: Start with this page on the Audubon Web Site. Then enter your state, find a local chapter, and sign up.

For info, dues are about $30 for most chapters. And if you join more than one, dues can be as low as $20 for each additional chapter.

Right now I’m a member of four Audubon chapters.

Birding Resources

If you visit Madera Canyon in Arizona, consider the Chuparosa Bed & Breakfast. The hosts are gracious, the rooms are comfortable, and their patio has wonderful photo opportunities.

Before you leave, check the Tucson Audubon web site. This chapter has published an outstanding book: Finding birds in Southeast Arizona. It appears in the bottom left corner on their we site.

Did You Know?

The most effective way to help birds is to buy land.

Here are three organizations that excel at doing this.

1) American Bird Conservancy

2) The Nature Conservancy

3) The Trust for Public Land

Please visit their web sites to learn about the work they do.

Here’s an excellent book: The American Bird Conservancy Guide to Bird Conservation

You can help – Please share this blog with others.

Inspiring Respect for Nature, one bird at a time.

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