Five Great Locations in the U.S. For Bird Photography
Slonina Photo Tours and Workshops takes you to some of the best bird photography locations in the U.S., putting you in the right place at the right time for incredible shots. From Florida’s wildlife-rich waters to the deserts of Arizona and the rugged beauty of Maine and Alaska, we focus on destinations where birds are abundant and allow for close approaches, making it easy to capture frame-filling images.
Snow Geese, Bosque Del Apache, New Mexico
We choose locations with thriving wildlife and stunning backdrops, providing excellent opportunities for bird photography. Whether you’re looking to photograph wading birds in Florida, flocks of snow geese and sandhill cranes at Bosque del Apache, or seabirds along Maine’s coastline, our tours and workshops offer the perfect setting to refine your skills and capture striking images. Here are our top five favorite locations (listed alphabetically) for bird photography.
Bald Eagle, Alaska
1. Alaska – Kenai Fjords & Coastal Wilderness
Alaska’s vast wilderness is home to an incredible array of bird species, but few are as iconic as the bald eagle. We photograph eagles across the country, but nothing compares to Alaska, where they are more abundant and accustomed to people, allowing for much closer approaches. Photographing them from a small private boat is especially rewarding, providing countless frame-filling shots with diverse backgrounds and behaviors.
Along the coast, the Kenai Fjords offer excellent opportunities to capture horned and tufted puffins, parakeet auklets, and black oystercatchers. Black-legged kittiwakes, common murres, and even great gray owls can be found in boreal forests, while Pacific, red-throated, and common loons thrive in Alaska’s waterways. Arctic and common terns nest along the shoreline, and raptors like the peregrine falcon add to the diversity.
Learn more about our Alaska Land & Sea tour
Crested Caracara, Arizona
2. Arizona – Southeastern Arizona
Southeastern Arizona is a hotspot for bird photography, particularly in its riparian areas and desert landscapes. The region is known for a numerous hummingbird species, including the violet-crowned, Rivoli’s, Anna’s, and broad-billed. Madera Canyon offers great opportunities to photograph not only hummingbirds but also songbirds, woodpeckers, and the elusive elegant trogon. The Chiricahua Mountains are ideal for spotting sought-after species like the Montezuma quail and red-faced warbler. Ramsey Canyon, with its rich diversity, is another must-visit for capturing the unique birdlife of the region.
Arizona is also home to an impressive variety of owls, such as the great horned owl nesting in saguaro cacti, along with the tiny elf owl and northern pygmy owl. The open desert is perfect for spotting the crested caracara, often perched on cacti or soaring overhead, and the iconic roadrunner.
The region is home to a variety of woodpeckers, including the acorn woodpecker, Gila woodpecker, ladder-backed woodpecker, and the Arizona woodpecker. During migration months, the state is a top destination for songbirds like tanagers, orioles, warblers, and grosbeaks.
Read our article on birding in southeast Arizona
Sandhill Cranes, Bosque del Apache, New Mexico
3. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico
Each winter, thousands of sandhill cranes and snow geese descend upon Bosque del Apache, creating one of the most spectacular bird photography experiences in the country. The golden light at sunrise and sunset enhances the beauty of these massive flocks as they take off in unison, offering breathtaking photo opportunities. In addition to cranes and geese, the refuge is home to a variety of raptors, including northern harriers, bald eagles, and peregrine falcons. Ducks such as pintails, shovelers, and wigeons can also be found in the wetlands, along with roadrunners and Gambel’s quail darting through the desert scrub. With scenic backdrops ranging from open water to cottonwood-lined marshes, Bosque del Apache provides dynamic and ever-changing photography opportunities throughout the winter season.
Be sure to check back with us for details on our upcoming photo tour of this incredible location.
American Purple Gallinule, Florida
4. Florida
Florida is one of the best destinations for bird photography, offering diverse wetlands, coastal habitats, and a subtropical climate that attracts a wide variety of species. From national wildlife refuges to remote coastal areas, the state provides outstanding opportunities to photograph spoonbills, egrets, herons, pelicans, and wading birds. Shallow waters are home to species like wood storks, ibis, kites, limpkins, and gallinules can also be found. Along the coast, photographers can capture shorebirds such as plovers and skimmers, as well as raptors like ospreys and eagles.
On our photo tours, we explore multiple bird photography hotspots across Florida, including locations on the east and west coasts and in the central part of the state. While well-known spots like the Everglades and Sanibel Island are favorites, many other incredible places offer equally rewarding opportunities to photograph Florida’s birdlife.
Sign up for our Best of Florida photo tour in 2026
Atlantic Puffins, Maine