The best way to enjoy the Sonora National Park is with a visit to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. It is a world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, all in one place.
The best time to visit is early in the morning when the animals are more active and the temperature is cooler. Most of the museum is located outdoors. There are almost two miles of outdoor paths traversing 21 acres of beautiful desert.
This is called a black bear, although his fur is a dark brown.
The coyote is a symbol of the American West. The Navajo refer to the coyote as "God's dog". A versatile and seemingly indestructible animal, the coyote continues to impress us today with its outstanding survival skills.
Javalinas (peccary) are found in Southwest North America, Central and South America. Having a strong resemblance to pigs, they are 3-4 feet long and weigh 44-88 pounds. They are social animals and often form herds.
The Organ Pipe cactus is related to the giant Saguaro but with several stems rising from the ground. In Arizona they are only found naturally in the region around the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, southwest of Tucson.
The best time to visit is early in the morning when the animals are more active and the temperature is cooler. Most of the museum is located outdoors. There are almost two miles of outdoor paths traversing 21 acres of beautiful desert.
Here is a mountain lion in natural habitat.
This is called a black bear, although his fur is a dark brown.
The coyote is a symbol of the American West. The Navajo refer to the coyote as "God's dog". A versatile and seemingly indestructible animal, the coyote continues to impress us today with its outstanding survival skills.
Javalinas (peccary) are found in Southwest North America, Central and South America. Having a strong resemblance to pigs, they are 3-4 feet long and weigh 44-88 pounds. They are social animals and often form herds.
The Organ Pipe cactus is related to the giant Saguaro but with several stems rising from the ground. In Arizona they are only found naturally in the region around the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, southwest of Tucson.
The Agave cactus, also know as the Century Plant, with a striking appearance and often giant flower stalks, are popular as landscape plants. But they have been eaten, drunk, and worn by humans for centuries. The common name of century plant is a misnomer as they only live to 40-50 years. Here is one starting to bloom. Most species are found in semiarid habitats ranging from sea level to over 8000 feet.
Most agave are monocarpic: after growing slowly for many years, they bloom once and die. Flower stalks of some agave grow with amazing speed, towering over head in just a few days. This agave has already bloomed and is dying.
We visited the hummingbird aviary and I was able to get a rare picture of a mother feeding her baby.
It is a very interesting and educational museum.
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