November 17, 2010: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

     We would like to take credit for having the patience to capture these images in the wild, but they were all taken at the Arizona-Sonara Desert Museum. Located just south of the western portion of Saguaro National Park (Tucson Mountain District), the “museum,” which is supported by a private nonprofit entity, took shape in the early 1950s and has blossomed into a cultural/educational jewel. A must-visit for Tucson-area tourists, this is not your traditional museum. It is a museum, botanical garden, desert laboratory, zoo and much more. The care and expense involved in the planning and execution of the exhibits is immediately evident. Plan to spend at least one-half day and a full day will prove a real treat (there is better than average food available in the self-serve café or full-service restaurant).

     In fact, there’s enough here for a more serious exploration. After your first overview visit, pick a major — Arizona geology, Arizona archaeology, Sonaran Desert flora/fauna, among others — and return for another day focused on your concentration of choice.

Fairy Duster