While a large storm front moved through northern Arizona, bringing snow and rain, Daisy, Denis, and I headed southeast to Tucson and the
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. This is one of my favorite places to visit; you never know what you're going to see. As its name suggests, it showcases the flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert. Part botanical garden, part zoo, if it's not native to this desert, you're not going to find it here. If I lived in Tucson, I'd be a regular visitor.
The following photographs show our meander through the museum. I hope you enjoy your visit!
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Doesn't look like a typical museum, does it? |
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To get here, you have to drive through a saguaro forest, which is another plus. |
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Daisy at the vulture exhibit. That's quite a wingspan! |
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Many of the animals, like this mule deer, looked ready for their siesta. |
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Sleepy Gambel's quail |
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The museum is divided into the various habitats you can find in the Sonoran Desert. |
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Daisy at the prairie dog exhibit. |
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All sorts of things were in bloom. |
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Including Arizona's state flower, the saguaro blossom. |
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This is the first time Denis & I had ever seen buds on a teddy bear cholla. |
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Daisy Doolittle talking to a disinterested squirrel. The squirrels didn't seem to need naps. |
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These signs were posted everywhere, but I wonder how many people actually pay attention to them. |
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He tried to play it cool, but I could feel this chuckwalla watching me. |
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Daisy and Denis leading the way. |
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She tried to walk down a path just as this guy was trying to cross it. Can you see it? |
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A Western Diamondback Rattlesnake AKA Mr. Grumpy. Daisy heard its warning rattle, didn't panic and returned to us. Smart girl! Before you think I'm an idiot for taking this photo, let me just say that my camera has a 60X zoom lens! |
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This second chuckwalla watched me get separated from my pack. |
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I wound up in the cactus garden. |
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Rainbow Hedgehog Cactus |
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Dwarf Organ Pipe Cactus |
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Dwarf Organ Pipe Cactus blooms |
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Broad-billed Hummingbird in the Hummingbird Aviary. |
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Hummingbird nest-- empty. They are marvels of construction! |
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Hummingbird nest-- occupied by the sleepy owner. |
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Living in the desert has given me a much greater appreciation of trees. |
Hope you enjoyed your visit to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum; I know we certainly did-- and that includes meeting Mr. Grumpy!
What fantastic pictures. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteThose flowers are magnificent.
Brave of you all to go where rattlesnakes reside, and glad that Daisy heard that rattle and high-tailed it out of there.
Kathy, I could go out my own backdoor and meet a rattlesnake. It was the same where I lived in Illinois. We're neighbors, although I will admit that rattlesnakes are the sort of neighbors I'd just as soon stayed OFF MY LAWN! (To channel Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino.)
DeleteWhat a gorgeous, gorgeous place, Cathy! One day I would really like to go there in person! Thanks for sharing the 'photos.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteGorgeous, gorgeous pictures! If we ever get to Tucson, we will visit this museum. And if I never visited a place with rattlesnakes, well, I wouldn't step out my front door. Did I tell you that we've found 2 snakeskins in our front yard that were each over 5 feet long. Happily, neither were rattlers, but the one my husband found last year was. And a service repair guy told me yesterday that coral snakes seem to be really prevalent in our area this year. Glad you guys avoided that snake and thanks for sharing cactus blossoms. I think people forget how beautiful they can be.
ReplyDeleteYou'll love the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Kay. As I told Kathy, I too could step outside my own door and come face to face with a rattler. And since I have a big pool in the backyard-- and it's a desert-- I've come across plenty of wildlife on the property. I figure they have just as much right to be here as I do, although I will admit that there are several species I hope give my place a miss! LOL
DeleteOmigod! Rattle snakes in your own yard! I guess city life is safer.
ReplyDeleteI once had a snake in my pool, Kathy, and I live within five miles of downtown Phoenix.
DeleteLooks like a fun visit! I am always amazed at the bright and beautiful colors of the various cactus flowers.
ReplyDeleteThey never cease to amaze me, too.
DeleteI love the Sonoran Desert. I've never seen it all blooming like that though. That's gorgeous
ReplyDeleteMary (CactusCatz)