ARIZONA CAMP 2015 - ARIZONA-SONORAN DESERT MUSEUM – MARCH 24-26

ARIZONA-SONORAN DESERT MUSEUM – MARCH 24-26:

We planned on going to this living desert museum for two days. After checking the fee structure we became members for the year, and decided we would probably go for three days. This “Museum” consists of all living things found in the Sonoran Desert. A great many of the birds fly free here and enjoy the environment – phainopepla, cactus wren, curve-billed thrasher, sparrows, Gambel’s quail, flickers, ravens, pyrrhuloxia, and hummingbirds. They also have a very nice hummingbird aviary as well as a walk-in aviary, both of which provide a shady environment for a break from the desert sun.

Each morning we were there at the opening bell and stayed well into the afternoon. We took a couple of breaks, one being after the first raptor show which started at 1000, to enjoy a free (to members) iced coffee and a small pastry at Phoebe’s Café. Another respite was a visit to their art gallery at this time featuring student work. The students are from the art classes provided at the Museum.

Mammals found in the Sonoran Desert include the mountain lion, Mexican grey wolf, coyote, javelina, big horn sheep, mule deer, grey fox, bobcat, ocelot, prairie dogs, and ground squirrel. 

SATIATED GROUND SQUIRREL

JAVALINA

GREY FOX SUNBATHING

MOUNTAIN LION ON THE PROWL

BIGHORN SHEEP

BOBCAT PORTRAIT

PENSIVE COYOTE

MOUONTAIN LION LOOKING

They also have various reptiles on display including rattlesnakes, and a number of lizards.

SONORAN SPINY-TAILED IGUANA

EASTERN COLLARD LIZARD

 The plants here are growing in their native habitat and seem to be thriving: saguaro, claret cup, hedgehog, barrel, fish hook, cholla, and beavertail cacti; a number of variety of mesquite, palo verde trees, penstemon, ocotillo, and several agave. There were many more plants, too many to photograph, and too many to list them all here.

FAIRY DUSTER

CLARET CUP CACTUS

CRESTED BARREL CACTI

BEAVERTAIL CACTUS

Probably the biggest single draw here is the Raptor Free Flight Show which takes place twice a day. To get a prime location for viewing and photography of the birds one has to get to the gathering site 30 to 40 minutes before the show. They fly a variety of birds – chihuahuan raven, barn owl, great horned owl, Harris’s hawk, greater roadrunner, ferruginous hawk, gray hawk, peregrine falcon, and prairie falcon. and local red-tailed hawks.

FERRUGINOUS HAWK

GRAY HAWK

GREAT HORNED OWL

PRAIRIE FALCON

HARRIS'S HAWK

We thoroughly enjoyed the experiences at the Museum. It is a wonderful way to learn and experience the many facets of the Sonoran Desert. They have many docents to help and educate you about life in the Sonoran Desert. There is a lot to learn and explore here. We would recommend a visit to anyone visiting the area.

HUMMINGBIRD ON NEST

CACTUS WREN AND NEST

CACTUS WREN POSING