Desert Adventures!

This weekend we visited the Sonoran Desert Museum. It's kind of a zoo and a botanical garden and a museum rolled into one. There were native desert animals in habitats, but you might run into wild life just out and about because, well, you are in the middle of the Sonoran Desert.

We started seeing wild animals right away! Actually, we started observing these critters before we even left our apartment. Look what we found right next to our apartment building:

Don't worry. We were about to climb in the car and drive off if it became hostile.

We have more unusual neighbors than we originally thought. Let's add Mr. Javalina to the list that includes dozens of hares and a pack of coyotes that howl in the middle of the night.

Here are some of the fun exhibits we saw:

A fox in her hidey-hole. And me.

Lee and the Black Bear.

Can you spot the coolest snake you've ever seen? He's camouflaged pretty well!

There was a lovely humming bird habitat. From certain angles his neck looks red, other angles it looks black.

Taking a rest on a giant tortoise.

It was much easier to climb in these shell things as a child...

The Aviary had some very friendly birds!

This little guy let us get really close.

A huge falcon we got to "interact" with.

Lee, a docent, and an American Kestrel (sparrow hawk)

No glass betwixt me and this diamond back! I am told we were "out of striking distance" though.

We'll take you exploring this fun little spot if you come visit us! You might even get to see some of these fantastic specimens running about on their own. I'm hoping I don't run into Mr. 3 foot Diamond Back any where but the Sonoran Desert Museum.