Tuesday, May 02, 2023

Dinosaurs in the Desert at the Phoenix Zoo

I've been fascinated by dinosaurs since I was a small child. My great-grandfather, Elmer Brown, is responsible for my interest, and I still have the small brass brontosaurus (apatosaurus) that he gave me all those years ago. And before you ask, yes, I'm a fan of those Jurassic Park movies. I was sitting in the theater for the very first showing of the very first Jurassic Park before they turned the volume down on the sound system so the T. Rex roar wouldn't blow your hair off your head.

Denis and I had avoided the Dinosaurs in the Desert exhibit at the Phoenix Zoo when we were there a couple of months ago, but this time, we decided to see what it was all about. Being rebels, we started at the end and ended at the beginning. We both thought it very well done, and I have to admit that traveling through reawakened some of my childhood fascination. 

Join us on our trek through Dinosaurs in the Desert. 
 
 
These two giants were at the end of the trail, which is where we started.

 
All the dinosaurs moved, and many had sound effects which added to the realism.

 
I have to admit getting a kick out of seeing dinosaurs of all sizes in a desert setting.

 
These little "compeys" took me right back to the Jurassic Park movies. I almost felt as though they were going to start chasing me.

 
I wish this exhibit hadn't been heaving with people of all ages and sizes. If I'd had some elbow room, I could've taken photos of the signage so I could remember all the dinosaurs' names.

 
Fish dinner, anyone?

 
I can hear Jeff Goldblum say, "Nature will find a way."

 
A nasty-looking specimen.

 
I was so intent on the dinosaurs that I almost forgot to look at the big rock formations in the distance. But I did remember, and those photos are for next Wednesday.

 
I think this one's common name was Terror Bird. I can see why.

 
And I certainly wouldn't want this twelve-foot-tall bear jumping out at me, would you?


Why do sabertooth tigers (AKA smilodons) make me think of The Flintstones?


Although some of the children were frightened by the dinosaurs, the majority thought the experience was fun, and they asked a lot of questions. 

Even though the body count was a bit high for us and, from time to time, waiting to take a photograph without a stranger's body parts in it was tiresome, Denis and I did enjoy ourselves. However, I do wonder what my great-grandfather would have thought of it all.

Next week, I'll share more photos that I took at the Phoenix Zoo. Don't forget to stop by for another virtual visit!

8 comments:


  1. i am so impressed that Phoenix has even more treasures. I might be afraid of moving dinosaurs, but I think it is great that such a park exists, That Terror Bird look like it could have played a part in evolution. So dinosaurs disappeared 65 million years ago. Apparently not in Arizona, Were any of these dinosaurs un the Americas?

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    1. Yes, I think most of them were in the Americas, Kathy.

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  2. Wow! Those are fantastic photos, Cathy! And what a visit that must have been. I'm so glad you and Denis got the chance to visit. I think it's absolutely fascinating to think about how it must have been in that part of the Americas at that time. And what an object lesson in how big some of those dinosaurs were...

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    1. Yes, many of those dinosaurs made me feel very small.

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  3. Wow, what a neat exhibit! I can see how some kids (and adults) could be afraid of them, especially if they moved. They look so realistic.

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    1. There was one called a "titanoboa" or something like that-- a HUGE snake that I didn't want to get anywhere close to, let alone take a picture of it! LOL So, yes, they were a bit realistic!

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  4. I remember a similar exhibit that we attended at the Houston Museum of Natural Science many years ago. Your post brought back fond memories of that day.

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    1. You just reminded me that I want to pay a visit to the Natural History Museum here.

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