Tuesday, April 9, 2013

More Adventures in Arizona


On Sunday we planned a trip to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson...I met Terri & Cindy at the Smoke Shack right off the I-10 on Riggs Rd.  Now the only reason I am mentioning this little tidbit is this has become "the spot" to meet while I have been here in Phoenix, also the fact that I always borrow Joyce's (my hostess) black mustang, so it's "meet ya at the smoke-shack in my black mustang"...doesn't it sound like a Mickey Spillane crime novel...or maybe Stephanie Plum in a Janet Evanovich novel? Somehow looking at me, I don't think you would ever confuse me with Stephanie Plum.

Anywho....it was another beautiful, warm day and we were ready to have some fun.  What a grand place to get a real flavor of what is native to Arizona...plants, trees, flowers, birds, wildlife, and a snake or two (yikes!!).





Pretty scary...thank goodness they were all behind glass.  They are all 3 giving me the definite stink-eye, especially the last yellow one.  And fyi, these are all poisonous snakes, so step lightly thru the tulips around here.

The Cactus Wren, being the state bird of Arizona, were in abundance on the grounds, sitting atop the trees, chattering away.  What I found fascinating was the perfect heart shaped feathers on the under-side of their tail feathers.


Not sure if this guy is native to Arizona but he was in the Aviary and flew down to say "hello".


The Barn Owl had been napping when a handler disturbed him for a show-off...he said, "go ahead, look, don't mind me while I continue to nap."  This is not an ordinary site in my neighborhood.


And the hummingbirds...not sure what kind these are, maybe some of you hummingbird aficionados can tell me.




The Prairie Dogs were pure entertainment.  One ran right up to the glass and I swear he said, "ok, I am here, now take my picture."



The desert blooms....stunning in their purples, pinks, & oranges.  How beautiful their flowers, but most are surrounded by ugly, painful looking thorns. 



Linking this to Nancy's



Linking to Kim's Texture Tuesday....The assignment for this week was to use 2 of Kim's textures...I used 3 on the image below, Textures "3003"," Xanthe Scripted", and "Kristen."  All used with a light touch.




The cactus and the flowers grow harmoniously together in the desert. Each bringing their beauty to this area of our country.


I hope you enjoyed highlights from the Sonora Desert Museum....I will be back with further adventures from Arizona and will visit you all on my return.

Until next time....

51 comments:

  1. WOW. Your photos are a.maz.ing. And that bird with the heart feathers is spectacular! Thanks so much for sharing. I look forward to reading and seeing more of your trip to Arizona.

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  2. Thank you for sharing these wonderful highlights of your trip, I've enjoyed them all!

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  3. all fabulous photographs Deanna; I think my favourite is the cactus wren - so beautiful

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  4. Yikes! Those snakes are staring you down! These are really beautiful captures. I love the flowers and barn owl. It looks as though you're having a great time - enjoy! :-)

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  5. love the hummingbirds & owl. so beautiful. nice time. you have fun, Stephanie Plum! ( :
    the scaredy kat could really do without the snake picture. i have the shakes not. yucky creatures. yuck!! just kidding. ha. ha!!!

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  6. Lovely Deanna thanks for sharing your visit I really don't like snakes even if they are behind glass lol....

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  7. All amazing captures!

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  8. Your highlights from the Sonora Desert Museum are wonderful! the desert is such a different place -- very different from what most of us know. i always thought the desert has a very special beauty all its own and you captured it. love the cactus wren with his heart shaped feathers. i'm a big owl fan ... and the humingbirds! even the snakes have a special beauty -- just don't get near! Wonderful!!!!

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  9. All such gorgeous shots and looks like you are having so much fun! I was especially relieved when I saw that you were not out in the desert looking for snakes.... They were all giving you the eye! Have a wonderful time!

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  10. Loving the wren and the hummers. You must have been on Cloud 9 or 10 -- thanks for sharing with us (all the way from AZ!)

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  11. Gorgeous desert images! Love the owl and hummingbirds. Makes me want to visit and take my boys... they would simply adore seeing all the beautiful animals. Thank you for sharing...

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  12. Breathtaking Deanna! Loved each and everyone!

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  13. Isn't that place just fabulous! Been there a few times when we would drive from Phoenix to Tucson to visit family and we always enjoyed a long walk through the desert museum there. Just a wonderful place and your photos capture it's beauty nicely.

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  14. what an incredible museum! loved the photos of the heart-shaped markings on the bird's feathers. Seeing the "hummer's nest" makes me want to take a walk through the trees to find one in my area... don't know what the weather is... but, imagine it's warm... so don't melt.

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  15. What an array of desert images, love the hummers especially the little nest. I have only seen one in the nest so I am envious of that. You are so fun Stephanie.

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  16. Deanna,

    The Sonora Desert Museum looks like a fun place to visits and a photographers dream come true! I love the heart shaped feathers on the tail feather under-side. The parrot and owl are gorgeous. As always, your flower and bloom pictures are perfect!

    Have a safe trip home.

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  17. You did the desert proud, Deanna!

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  18. A beautiful place, the desert...has it's own sense of what is important to the eye and soul !

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  19. I love the Desert Museum. You know it's one of my favorite places. Please tell me that the snakes were all in the reptile building!!!!

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  20. the flora is marvelous! and those hearts....awesome!

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  21. great shots! love the meeting place. :) sweet bokeh in that last shot! wow!!! lovely blooms, birds and creatures throughout.

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  22. Oh my goodness these are so amazing!!! Bravo... Love that you get to drive in a black mustang, you lucky lady you!

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  23. I love and oh so miss Tucson (especially this time of year)...thank you for sharing your visit! Oh, and that last image is spectacular!

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  24. All the photos are divine...but I also love the photo of you with the gals!

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  25. OH. MY. GOODNESS. The cactus wren is awesome! I'm not sure what type of hummer that first one is, but it sure is pretty. You came away with some amazing shots during your stay, but I expect no less from you. :)

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  26. Look at you beautiful ladies - but snakes? ..."snakes, it had to be snakes" (Indiana Jones) Fabulous pictures that I want to come back and more slowly peruse (except for the ahem, s.n.a.k.e.s).

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  27. I can't believe you got so close to a snake - I nearly had a panic attack!! Gorgeous shots of the birds!

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  28. I've been enjoying your visit to the desert! And your pictures are beautiful! Even the snakes looked good but I admit I scrolled quickly past them and I was glad I did since those cute hummingbirds were waiting for me!

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  29. It is such a joy to read about your trip and photo meetups. I've loved seeing Terri's and Barbara H's photos, too. Since I couldn't join you, I guess it's the next best thing!

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  30. How much fun this must have been, Deanna!
    Sure glad those snakes are behind glass.
    I just love the photo of the Amazon parrot.
    I have a pet Amazon named Tova, and although she can be a bit spunky, she is an absolute sweetheart.

    I hope you're having a wonderful day!

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  31. WOW, WOW, WOW. So many amazing captures to delight the eye. Amazing collection. And I love the ones you processed with Kim's textures. So well done.

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  32. Looking again at that little cactus wren and the heart shaped feathers.... Isn't God an amazing creator!!!!

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  33. Seriously...you girls are having WAY TOO MUCH FUN without me!!! Girl...you could definately play Stephanie plum...you have her adventerous spirit☺

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  34. I loved this series SOOO much! What a fun trip! SO glad those snakes were behind glass, they do look like they are giving the stink eye. :)

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  35. I can just see from the smiles on your faces that you three gals are having a ball and keeping those cameras clicking at the same time.....These are wonderful shots and gives us such a good representation of what you are seeing while out in the dessert....The snakes, though, well what can I say....great captures and so glad they were behind glass....

    Should we start calling you Stephanie? Be safe....

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  36. a great adventure and fabulous photos, without and with the textures!

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  37. Oh so many wonderful things you saw!

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  38. Great post and great pictures.

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  39. Those snakes had my boys and I thinking you were on the edge of crazy, until we saw the part about them being behind glass! Beautiful flowers!

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  40. Many interesting and beautiful pictures.

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  41. Such gorgeous photos.. I guess if you look harder you can find beauty in the desert..

    Hugs~

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  42. Wow! These are amazing, Deanna! Beautiful photos. I have to say though, I love your shot of the barn owl, it is such a precious shot.

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  43. Wonderful photos. Love the hummer in the nest.

    Earl

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  44. Oh, I am so jealous, Deanna! I lived in Tucson when I was a young bride and we rented a little adobe house right on the edge of the Saguaro National Forest. It was very close to that museum. The desert is beautiful this time of year! Enjoy your visit! A black Mustang to get around sounds like too much fun! Great photo of you three! xx

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  45. Just fabulous images, Deanna! I sure wish I could have met up with you... maybe next time. I love the photo of the three of you and all the birds and snakes, etc. etc. etc. I do really love that second photo (snake close-up) it's a fab DOF!

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  46. There are so many great photos in this post...really liked every single one.

    Do you remember what kind of snake the second one was/is?

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  47. What fun, the Sonora Desert looks like an incredible place and the three of you look so cute!

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  48. The photos are wonderful, Deanna, and it looks (and reads ;-) ) that you are having a great time!

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  49. So many wonderful things you saw, Deanna! Thanks for sharing. :D

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  50. Didn't get a trip to Arizona this winter, but so enjoyed "travelling" with you. Fabulous pictures.

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