Birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees.

March 1 - 7, 2014: Snyder BLM (continued ... again)  A sun shiny look at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

What a difference a few days and a little sunshine make at the museum.  We’re back for a second look – and are we ever impressed.

Let me tell you about the birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees.

One of the upper sections of the Desert Museum is all about bees and butterflies and hummingbirds and flowers.  Doesn’t it just make you think about springtime?  Get a load of this!

Lantana - oh, it's gorgeous!  (I know the name 'cause we've got 'em in Texas!)

Hmmm?  Fabulous orange blossoms.  The name eludes me, of course.

More nameless beauties.

A lovely red variety.

I believe the yellow flowers are Brittle Bush, but don't hold me to it.

Luxury high-rise bee condos only at the Desert Museum.

The following sign is posted on the bee condo:

Move-in special!

Free Rent

Desert Views

Close to nectar and pollen

A solar powered pollinator with a tracking device.

Butterflies are active during the day.  You’ll find them with their wings spread in the sunshine soaking up rays, heating their muscles to the temperature needed for flight.

This Monarch butter has been tagged.

Note the web address and "tag number" on the butterfly wing for tracking.

Hummingbirds of the Sonoran Desert Region.

The plaque above says: “The delicate beauty of these tiny birds can be stunning.  The Sonoran Desert region is host to more species of hummingbirds than any area in the United States.”  Very impressive.

A tiny little hummer sitting on her bitsy little nest.

There are hummers zooming everywhere in the aviary.  They are fascinating to watch.  It brings back memories of last summer in Colorado and the hummingbirds at Dutch George Campground in Poudre Canyon.  There must have been 30 hummers buzzing around the feeder and this little girl at any given time. 

Dutch George Campground, Poudre Canyon, CO - July 2013

Raptor Free Flight Presentation.

One of six Harris hawks that take flight for this presentation.

  

The raptors put on a spectacular display with their trainer as they soar high overhead and whiz past spectators so close that you can feel the rush of air on your face as they skim past.

Upwards of 200 people show up to watch the free flight of the family of Harris hawks.

A hawk coming in for a landing with a trainer above the crowds in the valley below.

The hawk taking off from the handler's hand.

This presentation is amazing to watch.  The trainers are as interesting to watch as the birds themselves.  Imagine six raptors circling and swooping through the sky watching for and obeying hand signals of the trainer far below.  What fun this is!      

Mesquite pods or ice cream? 

We check the map to figure out the shortest path to the Snack Shack and head off in that direction.  Along the way we stop at a ramada to get out of the sun for a few minutes.

A young man, a docent, strikes up a conversation and tells us about some of the edible plants in the desert.  Mesquite pods crushed into a powder are a great source of protein.  He says he sprinkles it on his granola every morning.  Next is prickly pear juice.  He tosses the prickly pears in a food processor – spikes and all – and then runs it through a strainer before drinking it.  Thank goodness!  Then there’s the fruit on many cacti.  Just don’t eat last year’s fruit or you are liable to get a belly ache.

A beautiful barrel cactus with last year's fruit.  A belly ache waiting to happen.

This is all very interesting, and I guess we would be happy to have all these “foods” at our disposal if we were lost in the desert.  But we’re not, so we move along to the Snack Shack and enjoy a couple of big scoops of ice cream.  Mesquite pods or ice cream?  What a silly question!   

A shady ramada and fountain within the gardens.

This has been a great day, and the pictures are only the tip of the iceberg!

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is far more than just a museum.  It encompasses 21 acres and includes a zoo, botanical garden, aquarium, natural history museum, art gallery, and hiking trails.  It is beautifully maintained and staffed by volunteers ready to answer questions at every turn.  When you’re in the Tucson area, plan to spend an entire day here.  You won’t be disappointed.   

Until next time - be safe.