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....