Monday, April 1, 2013

Arizona Desert Museum

March 11

 
We went to see the Arizona Desert Museum which is slightly south west of Tuscon  Arizona.  While we were there we saw many varieties of cacti which are native to the area as well as large and small animals found in the area as well.
 
 
 
 
A cougar having a rest.  He was behind glass so we were all pretty relaxed.
 
 
A rattle snake and yes I was very glad that he was behind glass as well.
 
 
We were able to watch the "raptor free flight" where the birds are released and allowed to hunt in their native surroundings.
 
 
Barn Owl
 
 
 
Harris's Hawk
These birds live and hunt in family groups of 3-7 and are one of the only two social raptor species in the world.
 
After witnessing the free flight we were off to see if we could find the Javelinas who resemble the pig family.  They too are very social animals and often form herds.  They can weigh from 40 - 88 pounds (20 - 40 kg).
 
 
 
Can you spot the two javelinas, one standing and the other laying beside the saguaro cactus to  the left of the picture?
 
 
Our last stop was a visit to the humming bird section where we got to see a nesting humming bird as well as several other humming birds.


 
We spotted this bird heading into this saguaro cactus.  The birds pick holes in the cactus and build their nests inside the cactus. 
 
 
Notice the green ground cover...spring comes to the desert too.
 
 
 

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