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 Sunset Storm at Sierra Vista AirportSunset Storm at Sierra Vista Airport
©RGallucci Photography
www.rgallucci.com
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Shoot Date: August 15, 2020
Canon EOS 5D Mark III | EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM | f/8.0 | 1.3 sec | ISO 100
 A revelation at Juniper FlatsA revelation at Juniper Flats
©RGallucci Photography
www.rgallucci.com
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Shoot Date: July 15, 2020
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV | EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM | f/16 | ¹⁄₁₀₀ sec | ISO 100
 Bisbee NightBisbee, a small town at the edge of the border, is the eclectic melting pot of Cochise County. A once thriving mining town, it renewed itself as an artists community when the ore petered out. In a place where once the avarice of man hunted for material wealth people now search for the inspiration to create beauty. Bisbee is a place where one can spend a joyous and relaxing day wandering the winding streets, stopping on occasion to look inside the historic buildings no turned into galleries and cafes. Or, you can create an ad-hoc scavnger hunt to see who can find the most of the uniquely iconic Bisbee Art Cars.
I like Bisbee during the day. I love Bisbee during the late night. It is then, when most of the town has turned in, and the lights are low, that Bisbee appears as a shimmering crystal nestled amidst the Mule Mountains. The night is the perfect time to drive up to one of the many overlooks surrounding the city to gaze at the endless nighttime sky. The town takes on a different essence when viewed under the path of angels. It becomes younger and more vibrant when seen against the ancient clock of stars.
Bisbee, a town both old and new is much like my soul. They have both enjoyed a storied past that led to a renewing rejuvenation. It is a humble honor to be gifted with the blessing to share a view of this Southern Arizona High Desert town.
I remain His scribe.
Image inquiries gratefully appreciated.
Bisbee Night
©RGallucci Photography
Shoot Date: March 6, 2019
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
7.8 sec at f/2.8 0 EV
Lens: 15mm @ 15 mm
ISO: 6400
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Private Instruction - a custom-tailored experience to fulfill your photography goals. Sometimes scheduling or individual needs may prevent participation in our workshops and clinics. To accommodate your personal learning style and schedule, we offer individually customized itineraries based on your requirements. Designed for one to four people, these workshops are the perfect way to ensure you receive personalized learning.
Your personalized itinerary can include General Photography, Milky Way and Night Sky Photography, Landscape, Moonscape, Storm Chasing and Post Processing in any combination. Email me for availability.
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Max 3 participants
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 The Last GateThe Last Gate
© 2019 RGallucci Photography
About a mile west of the San Pedro River is a primitive road that no cars may travel. The large gate at its origin has three locks to keep them out. But, right next to it is a smaller passageway that is unlocked so people may pass through.
It was on this path, with giant cottonwoods lining the eastern horizon and open fields leading to the Huachuca's on the west, where I found myself this gloaming. It was here that I found a lone gate, whose wire fencing enclosed nothing in particular. It was a gateway to nowhere that on this evening transformed itself into a portal to a mystic view of this southern Arizona high desert paradise. It was a doorway of affirmation to the magnificent beauty of a creation I am honored to witness and share.
I am blessed to be His scribe.
The Last Gate
©RGallucci Photography
www.rgallucci.com
Shoot Date: February 19, 2020
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
¹⁄₁₃ sec at f/16 Bias:‒ 2 EV
ISO: ISO 100
Lens:EF16-35mm f/4L IS USM @ 16 mm
 MadnessMadness! Sheer, overwhelming, massive, madness! That's the first thing that went through my mind when I saw this shot. To put it into perspective look at the lights from the town on the lower right side of the image. Imagine that the mountains that this strike is hitting at over 6,000 feet high. This bolt is over twice the hight of them. It is madness. And, I love it!
Shoot Date: August 6, 2018
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Aperture priority 30.0 sec at f/5.0 0 EV
Lens: EF16-35mm f/4L IS USM @ 16 mm
ISO: 100
 Paradise DefinedTo experience paradise one must find that place where the heart joins the land in perfect harmony. For me, that place is the High Desert of southern Arizona. It is here that serenity rises with mornings first flickering light and endures throughout all waking moments. Each day brings a new adventure. Each morning delivers a renewed hope.
Morning here is different. There is no morning dew in the high desert. That gorgeous film of moisture gains no footing in the arid desert heat. But we do have its equal. As if God decided it was too grand a vision to deny, during the early morning sunrise shimmering brilliance is born of the suns rays flashing in phosphorescent flashes from the branches of the high desert fauna.
It was amongst this lustrous spectacle that a white stallion stood, serene and majestic, while he surveyed his domain. Surrounded by an aura of golden light he staked his claim as the master of this moment. Here, where generations of his forefathers roamed free, he was at one with the land.
This was the quintessential western landscape, iconic and moving. This was the paradise that I had sought my entire life. In answer to the prayers of a man once lost in the fractured rush of the industrial madness of overpopulated cities, I had arrived home. To capture and relate the beauty of this world is my tribute of thanks to Gods great gift to me. To witness and scribe His glory is my mission. I could not be more blessed.
Paradise Defined
©RGallucci Photography
Shoot Date: November 10, 2018
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Aperture priority ¹⁄₁₀₀₀ sec at f/11 ‒ 2 EV
Lens: EF16-35mm f/4L IS USM @ 16 mm
ISO: 400
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 Ferruginous Pygmy OwlIn general, Owls are an elusive species to find and photograph in the wild. Most are either nocturnal or crepuscular, making locating them during the day a challenge. This is all the more true with the pygmy and small owls. Most of the members of this clan measure around six inches in height, making finding them in a tree even more difficult. I well remember my first experience with a Northern Saw-whet Owl. It was perched a foot directly over my head yet still invisible to me.
But that was not the case yesterday when we went on a wild adventure into the high southern desert to find the rare (in the USA) Ferruginous Pygmy Owl. Mostly seen in south Texas, the chance to see this life bird in Arizona was too tempting to resist. We traveled three hours from the southernmost part of Arizona to the Black Hills west of Tuscon only to find ourselves at a junction to a primitive road. Residents of Arizona are very familiar with primitive roads. They come in many states of primitive from well-groomed dirt highways to rocky thoroughfares that require slow and careful navigation. But for the road ahead of us on the next leg of this journey the term primitive would be an upgrade. We were concerned about continuing.
Stopping to survey the terrain and rest a moment we received a good omen. Ahead of us, perched on the dead scrag of a tall tree, was two Crested Caracara. With our spirits buoyed by this sighting we plunged ahead. After five miles of slow off-camber driving along the rocky, well-rutted route we arrived at the location where another birder had reported the owl. We had planned to spend hours in search but had only gone about 20 minutes when from the bowels of a stand of trees we heard the unmistakable faint hoots of the owl. With three sets of eyes present, we set upon the task of narrowing our search perimeter. A short while later we spotted the bird.
At a diminutive 6 inches tall the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl is only defeated for the title of the smallest owl by the even smaller Elf Owl. But our bird had decided to perch in the open space of a bare limb making him loom large. Staying a respectful distance away from the Owl we set up our gear to take our photos.
Rutilant in the morning light, the bird treated us to a show of song and movement for over an hour. A short while after we had begun we heard the reason for the calls. There was a second owl somewhere in the area. A quick 1,000 images later we packed up and headed home.
I will post more images and video of this beautiful bird over the next few days, including some shots of one of its most distinguishing features - the eyes on the back of its head. I was as interested in getting good shots of that as I was of his face.
A day spent with good friends is a blessing. Finding rare species makes it more so. There are no words that I know that can adequately describe the gratitude I feel towards God for allowing me these privileges. I humbly remain His scribe.
Shoot Date: December 8, 2018
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Shutter priority ¹⁄₁₂₅ sec at f/5.6 1 ²⁄₃ EV
Lens: EF400mm f/2.8L USM @ 400 mm
ISO: 100
 Western Screech Owl IThe text message was short, "Do you want to see a Western Screech Owl?". That akin to asking me if I want to breath. I called out to my beautiful bride and asked if she wanted to shoot over to Battiste Bed & Breakfast to see an Owl. She answered with, "You had me at Owl." I quickly dumped the Chili I was in the middle of cooking into a slow cooker, and we jumped in the car and headed to the B&B.
What Tony didn't tell me was that the Owl was wide open in a deep, low cavity of a gnarly old tree. That is not something that happens often. At least not to me. The Western Screech Owl is only about eight inches tall and has only been a tiny spot in a tree in my past viewings. This viewing was another of the many southern Arizona dreams come true. We spent about 30 minutes with the bird, limiting our time so as not to disturb it. It was more than ample time to get some pictures and video.
Afterward, we retreated to the blind in the B&B's backyard, taking in the incredible landscape architecture while watching dozens of hummingbirds race about. There was Violet Crowned, Costa, a possible Lucifers and the other usual suspects. I could have spent the day there, but ultimately, I had to get back to the chili. In about seven hours it will be done. I can't wait. It will be a perfect end to what, so far, is an extraordinary day.
Shoot Date: September 21, 2018
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Manual ¹⁄₅₀₀ sec at f/5.6 0 EV
Lens: EF400mm f/2.8L USM +2x @ 800 mm
ISO: 500
 Elf Owl IIThe tiniest raptor. At about five inches tall the Elf Owl has the distinction of being the smallest owl in the world. I thought that Northern Saw-Whet Owls were tiny until I met this little bird. A summer resident of Southern Arizona Saguaro Cactus and Riparian woods, these Owls can be distinctly heard as night settles over the high desert landscape. But hearing and seeing are two very different things. The best place to see one is at Batiste Bed Breakfast and Birds. Each night visitors are welcome (there is a very modest fee) to sit under the exquisite Arizona starry nights and wait for the Owls to leave their nest to begin their hunt. It is a great experience.
Shoot Date: April 9, 2018
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Manual ¹⁄₆₀ sec at f/5.6 0 EV
Lens: EF400mm f/2.8L USM +2x @ 800 mm
ISO: 400
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Western Screech Owl |
Elf Owl |
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All workshops offer participants the opportunity to book bonus days to go on an Owl / Raptor Safari.
Owl Species can include Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Elf Owl, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Western Screech Owl, Whiskered Screech-Owl, Great-horned Owl, Barn Owl, and Short-eared Owl*All workshops offer participants the opportunity to book bonus days to go on an Owl / Raptor Safari.
Raptor Species can include Ferruginous Hawk, Zone-tailed Hawk, Gray Hawk, Black Hawk, Swainson Hawk, Harris Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Prarie Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin*
*Owl and Raptor availability determined by the time of year.
 Ferruginous HawkSoaring through the cold winter skies of southern Arizona's high desert sky-island valleys in search of prey, the Ferruginous Hawk is the largest of all the North American raptors. Stunningly regal in its stiff-winged flight this Buteo rules the fallow fields it stalks in search of prey. At around two feet long, with just under a six-foot wingspan, this hawk is similar in size to the Upland Buzzard of Central Asia, its distant relative. In the late Pleistocene, they shared the skies over the Alaska Siberia land bridge. Today, the species dominates its realm alone.
The high desert of southern Arizona is home to the largest diversity of animal life in the United States. Within that ecosystem, the Ferruginous Hawk sits as the top predator in the sky. Pity the poor prairie dog or jackrabbit that gets caught in its talons. To see one perched on one of the numerous utility poles that line the primitive roads around Whitewater Draw is a revelation. To watch one in flight is doubly so.
I remain humbly thankful to God for granting me the opportunity to witness the beauty of the high desert region and share it with others. I am blessed to be His scribe.
Shoot Date: December 15, 2018
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Aperture priority ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at f/6.3 ²⁄₃ EV
Lens: TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011 @ 600 mm
ISO: 320
 Kestral on the HuntKestral on the Hunt
©RGallucci Photography
www.rgallucci.com
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Shoot Date: January 24, 2020
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV | EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM | f/8.0 | ¹⁄₆₄₀ sec | ISO 160
 Harris's HawkHere is a truth that might be understood only by another birder. I set a goal of 100 species for January which I missed by five birds because I got lazy. So today I figured I would visit our local Harris's Hawk to start to get caught up. I imagined it would be like other times I went to see this majestic raptor - a quick look in a distant tree before it flew off. Oh boy, was I wrong in the best possible way!
From down the block, I spotted the hawk perched upright on the top of a 50 foot pine tree. It seemed that it was far enough and high enough from the road that driving by to get the sun at my back would not spook it. Parking well away I cautiously walked towards the bird using a stand of trees as cover. When I found the right angle, I started to shoot and capture some video. Ten seconds into the session the bird turned to show its profile. I was gobsmacked at how stunning it looked. I took a few more shots, thanked the bird for its cooperation and left. It was a good day!
Harris's Hawks are unique amongst North American raptors in that they create strong social bonds with one another. Groups of seven hawks living and hunting together are not unusual. A hawk of the southwest, they can be found in Texas, New Mexico and, of course, my beloved Southern Arizona high desert.
I am blessed to witness and share the beauty of His world and gratefully remain His scribe.
Shoot Date: February 12, 2019
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Manual ¹⁄1000 sec at f/8.0 0 EV
Lens: TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011 @ 600 mm
ISO: 640
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Kestral in Flight |
Harris Hawk |
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