Location: Arizona, USA
Southwest Snake Photography Expedition
The Chiricahua Mountains and surrounding desert in Southern Arizona, are home to an incredible diversity of snakes and other endemic herpifauna. Join us on an adventure through the American outback to find and photograph snakes and other reptiles in their natural habitat.
Whether you are fascinated or phobic towards this important group of animals, you will come away from this trip with a greater understanding and respect for the role that snakes play in the natural world.
This trip is specifically designed for photographers that want to hone their snake photography skills and bring home worldclass images of southwestern snakes in their natural environment.
The trip is being led by professional wildlife photographer Todd Pusser. An experienced snake handler, Todd’s understanding of composition and his ability to safely manipulate the animals, means that he can set up dynamic shots and then explain how to shoot them to perfection.
THE ENCOUNTER
Photographing snakes and other reptiles, amphibians and endemic mammals in the American Southwest.
2022
DATE
Late August TBA 3 SPOTS AVAILABLE
PRICE (USD)
$1,995 per person single or double occupancy
LEADER
Todd Pusser
2023
DATE
August – Exact dates will be set in January 2021 6 SPOTS AVAILABLE
PRICE (USD)
$1,995 per person single or double occupancy
LEADER
Todd Pusser
DETAILS
ACCOMMODATION
Rustic lodge near Portal Arizona.
FITNESS LEVEL
Guests should be physically fit. There will be some strenuous hiking up unpaved mountain trails and on loose talus slopes.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Group transfer from Tucson Airport
- Five nights of snake spotting along back roads in the Chiricahua Desert (upto 6 hours per night)
- 4 morning drives / hikes looking for reptiles and endemic mammals in the Chiricahua Mountains
- 5 nights accommodation in a rustic lodge near Portal, Arizona
- Arizona Fish and Game Handling Permits for each guest
- Photography coaching
NOT INCLUDED
- Flights
- Meals
- Required clothing
- Tips
ITINERARY
| Day 1 | Midday pick-up at Tucson Airport. After a quick stop in Tucson to acquire Fish and Game Handling Permits for each guest so that you can legally handle most species that we will see, we will drive you to the lodge in Portal, Arizona. After prepping cameras and a quick supper, we will head out for our first night of back road herping! |
| Days 2-5
|
At daybreak, (if any colubrids were collected during the previous night’s road cruising), you will have a chance to photograph them in the orange glow of the rising sun. Then after breakfast, we will return the snakes to their original location and then head into the Chiricahua Mountains for a morning hike to look for endemic reptiles and mammals. On the way back we’ll stop for lunch in a restaurant in Portal, and then relax at the lodge. During the afternoon siesta, if you’re too excited to relax, you could walk the grounds in search of more endemic herps and other wildlife. Once it cools off, we will head out for an early supper and then begin another night of road cruising to photograph more of Arizona and New Mexico’s desert dwelling snakes. |
| Day 6 | After an early breakfast we will transport you back to Tucson, arriving at the airport around noon. |
Ready to sign up or have a question about this trip?
Contact Big Fish about this Expedition
Big Fish Expeditions
Big Fish Expeditions Founder Andy Murch has spent the last two decades chasing big animals all over the world. Few people have Andy’s knowledge and organizational skills necessary to put together a professional expedition. Have a look through some of the comments from our guests: testimonials.
Guest Feedback
ANOTHER GREAT ADVENTURE WITH BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
Just returned from my second trip with BFE and it went off perfectly. The true adventure of these trips always present challenging logistics but they pulled it off flawlessly. I would highly recommend BFE to anyone looking to get “off the grid” and experience a wildlife trip of a lifetime. I am looking forward to my next adventure with them. Thanks again!!
Scott O.
Detroit, Michigan
AMAZING TRIPS
Amazing trips, just finish my 7th with Big Fish Expeditions, many more to come! 
Sene M.
Canada
GO. YOU WILL NEVER REGRET IT!
I have been on 3 Big Fish Expeditions trips by now and have more trips to look forward to in the near future. First of all I share a big passion for sharks, whale and other big marine life and Big Fish Expedition is all about that. As an amateur photographer is great to be among equals and even better to get new tips and ideas from professionals.
Andy is very helpful showing new tricks and talk about UW photography in between dives. Sure the destinations offers world class diving but it’s also about the people and the relation to people and Andy surely gives everyone the feeling of being very welcome and try to give everyone a lifetime experience.
Another good thing is that Andy is maybe the only pro shooters who offers trips to very reasonable prices. I won’t go into details about all the good dives I’ve done with Big Fish but instead say GO, you will never regret it!
Br, Rasmus Raahauge
Denmark
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING TIME WITH BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
Andy is one of the best in the business. I would highly, highly recommend anyone interested in an animal focused trip to go with big fish expeditions.
The quality of experience and knowledge of the trip leader really sets them apart. Expect to get your fill of animals no matter what the trip is. Andy is also great at finding other animals to incorporate within the trips.
If you’re looking for a shark trip or big animal experience, this is your place. Period.
Enjoy!
Jesse B.
Ontario, Canada
ABOUT BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
5 stars!
I’ve been on three trips with Big Fish Expeditions. Each one was well organized and jam packed with unique wildlife encounters. I am booked for another trip next year and for many more to come. Highly recommended!!
BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
I have been on a couple of Big Fish Photography Expeditions trips now. They are always well organized, and exceed my expectations! Andy puts together unique and action-packed trips. I’m looking forward to my next dive experience with him.
Trisha S.
Vancouver, BC
