Wednesday, March 7 - This morning we went to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a world-renowned zoo, natural history museum, and botanical garden all in one. Within the Museum, you see more than 300 animal species and 1200 kinds of plants native to this region. There are almost two miles of paths traversing 21 acres of beautiful desert.
During our walk through the desert zoo, we saw prairie dogs, owls, snakes, bobcats, birds, coyote, lizards javelina, wolves, mountain lions, black bears, and numerous other desert animals all displayed in a natural setting.
Bobcats
Biggest porcupine we have ever seen.
These javelinas have a huge area to roam around.
We could watch these little guys all day. They are so funny.
Mexican Wolf. They have been trapped, shot and poisoned to near extinction. Today fewer than 50 remain in the wild.
The highlight of our day was the Raptor Flight. These trained birds put on an unbelievable display of bird of prey flight. We saw a couple Ravens, a Gray Hawk, a Great Horned Owl, a Harris Hawk, and a Ferruginous Hawk. Three trainers, in separate parts of the viewing area, would entice the birds to landings in nearby trees using food. These birds would soar within feet of the viewers, many passing inches from our heads. What an experience!
Raven
Great Horned Owl
Harris Hawk
Ferruginous Hawk
There is hummingbird center at the Museum. As you walk around in the building, the birds fly everywhere. It was fascinating to be able to watch these birds up close and personal.
The desert is coming alive with color. Marsha was in Heaven looking at all the gorgeous flowers.
When we rounded on of the corners, Marsha said, "Look at the huge Wisteria." Once we got closer, she found out that is wasn't Wisteria but Mescal Bean. She just loved it and the beautiful Sunflowers.
This is the cutest picture of the day. This little squirrel was watching this hummingbird.
We then drove through the Saguaro National Park on our way home. This is the same area butting against our campground that we hiked in yesterday. So many cactus and other beautiful desert fauna. Many of the wild flowers are blooming and the cactus have fruit on them. It has been a little windy today and the air is filled with desert dust (dust storms). That has cooled temperatures down into the sixties. The forecast calls for the sun to shine, the winds to die down, and temperatures to get back into the 70's by tomorrow.
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!
Another wonderful day you had....I'm starting to get very jealous. I guess we need to get moving and start doing some fun stuff too.
ReplyDeleteThe desert really comes alive this time of year, we love it. They use to have ranger guided hikes at Saguaro National Park, not sure if they still do. We went on a cactus hike, it was really good.
ReplyDeleteThis place isn't one of those been there, done that and don't need to go back places. This is one place we enjoy going to over and over again. Loved your photos!! They were beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYup, we've been there too. Loved the hawk show, not so much the "caged" animals. The picture of you guys is dear!
ReplyDeleteWe loved our day at the Desert Museum. It looks like you did too. It's a very special place. Thanks for reminding us of our visit. Your pictures are beautful
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed the pictures of all the wildlife! You folks have really been busy lately.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your pictures and your post. Diane from Life on the Open Road posted about the same place yesterday - you were probably there at the same time!! This is definitely a place I want to visit. It looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun day and great photos! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThe day we were there it was late in the day. Quickly ran out of time. Will surely have to make a return visit. Glad you enjoyed it. Great pics.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful looking zoo. Love the photo of the horned owl!
ReplyDeleteKevin and Ruth
www.travelwithkevinandruth.com
Great shots of the raptors ... and I love the hummingbirds. Have to wonder what was going thru the squirrel's mind as it watched the hummingbird so intently.
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