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!
