Basking at the Phoenix Zoo

Denis and I boarded the Dial-a-Ride bus and headed to the Phoenix Zoo last Thursday. It was a beautiful day but cold. Get ready to laugh-- it was in the low 60s (16°C) with a biting cold wind. Now I know as well as y'all do that temperatures in the 60s really aren't cold, but they are if you've lived in the desert for years! Remember, I'm the weirdo who's perfectly comfortable sitting in the pool with my book when it's 120° (49°C). I don't do cold. 

But I did Thursday because it was the first time since late last spring that Denis and I had been able to go to one of our favorite places, the Phoenix Zoo. We were hoping to see the two lion cubs, but they were hiding. Instead we saw plenty of other critters, most of whom were snoozing and basking in the sun. Let me share some of the photos I took.

The javalina were one of the few active critters.

There was plenty of action in the prairie dog enclosure.

There were three egrets hanging out with the prairie dogs. You can see how breezy it was by this egret's feathers.

This turkey vulture was also keeping an eye on things.

A face only a mother could love.

It was chilly enough that even the pigeons were finding sunny spots to warm up in.

The Phoenix Zoo participates in the Arabian oryx breeding program and has celebrated 240 births. The Zoo contributed to the first oryx re-introduction effort in the Arabian peninsula.

Even the tortoises were snoozing in the sun.

This mandrill must be having a good dream; he's smiling.

African painted dog

There's always something in bloom in the Sonoran Desert.

One cheetah was strolling in the sun.

While the other was taking a nap.

One of my springtime favorites, the brittlebush.

Please do not disturb the maned wolf.

I wouldn't disturb the jaguar either if I were you.

Do jaguars snore?

Blooming rosemary

This is the first time I've seen a Visayan warty pig.

The zookeepers were keeping a close watch on a pair of rhinoceros hornbills who were billing, cooing, nestbuilding, and doing the deed.

Black swans

The siamangs were the most active, but this one was in a more contemplative mood.

Siamangs grooming each other.

Siamang Swing

Did we enjoy our day out? You'd better believe it! (And I think the smile on Denis' face is proof.) We had some time to wait for Dial-a-Ride, so we took a page from the zoo residents' handbook and found a patch of sun to bask in while we waited. Naturally, I spent my time reading. Like you folks, I'm never without a book!

I hope you enjoyed your little virtual tour of the zoo. Denis and I are already planning our next outing. Just this morning, he asked me, "When are we going to the Desert Botanical Garden?"

Good question!

February at the Desert Botanical Garden

Finally, there was a lull in the weekly storms California kept sending our way, and Denis and I could book a trip to one of our favorite places, the Desert Botanical Garden.

The weather was perfect, and we enjoyed our time there even if the place was heaving with people. There are two places here in Arizona where I've heard more foreign languages in one day than anyplace else: the Desert Botanical Garden and the Grand Canyon.

But I'm going to shut up and share some of the photos I took. If you're looking forward to spring, hopefully you will enjoy them.

On the Dial-a-Ride bus and ready for the garden!

I always see something new. This is called Elephant Food.

Some type of aloe always seems to be in bloom.

Looking out to the mountains from the Sonoran Desert Trail. Blasted power lines...

These always remind me of the trees in Bedrock. (Anyone fellow Flintstones fans?)

In line at the Patio Cafe to get something cold to drink.

Pincushion cactus

"Old Man" cactus always makes me smile.

And now it's time for a bloom...

... or two.

I have to admit that no one seemed overly impressed by the current art installation.

Blanket flowers. All types of wildlife either live in or visit the garden, so they sometimes have to put up netting and other types of deterrents.

Hummingbirds love penstemon.

Brittlebush. I have seen entire mountainsides covered in golden blooming brittlebush.

I was disappointed with myself when I discovered that I'd left my jar of raw sunflower kernels at home. The quails and ground squirrels were not happy with me.

I hope you enjoyed your virtual visit.

Late September in the Desert Botanical Garden

Late last month, Denis and I visited the Desert Botanical Garden. Temperatures were still at the 100°F. mark, and I didn't expect there to be much in the way of flowers. The fantastic thing about the garden is that you can have an absolutely wonderful time and not see a single blossom.

I was wrong about the flowers, so let me share some photos that I took that day.

The first thing we saw were blooms on the barrel cacti. The ones that have already flowered look like little pineapples, don't they?

Due to the monsoon rains, I also saw bumper crops of prickly pear fruits.

Barrel cactus blossoms

This fishhook barrel cactus was getting ready to flower, too.

This curve-billed thrasher was busy eating berries.

A Queen butterfly on lantana.

A ground squirrel eating cholla fruit.

Blanket flowers

Sunflowers

Desert Roses

At the Patio Cafe. Have you ever seen striped tree trunks?

Now you have!

A ground squirrel posing for me at the Patio Cafe.

Possibly the prettiest cactus flower of them all that day.

I hope you enjoyed your visit!