Sonora Desert Museum AZ

We leave Leucadia in the morning heading east towards the deserts and Tuscon AZ via I-8. Although we've driven this route years ago, we are surprised how long it takes to break free of the greater San Diego metro area. It's late afternoon by the time we pull into Gilbert Ray Campground.

Almost free of San Diego

Ahhh - the wide open spaces of the desert

Arizona State line

Water saving landscaping

Entrance to campground

Gilbert Ray gets high marks from fellow RVers and we are delighted to find their recommendations are well merited.  It's a beautiful and spacious campground. Plus the desert is in bloom.

Camped at Gilbert Ray

Palo Verde in bloom

Cholla in bloom

Sunset from our campsite

First item on our agenda in the morning is a short drive to the Sonora Desert Museum.

Short drive to SDM

Entrance

Ticket line

Overlook of the Sonora Desert and museum trails

After entering the grounds, we check out the cave exhibits, which have upgraded considerably since our last visit over 20 years ago.

Cave entrance/exit

Yes - I CAN hear you now!

Simulated limestone formations

Fossilized fish

Copper ore

Interesting crystal

Of course, we have to stop at the reptile house next. Although, not all of the lizards are behind glass. Many are simply sunning themselves on rocks throughout the grounds.

Local lizard catches some rays

Glad this rattler is behind glass

Chilling Gila Monster

Well fed rattler

Big toad

Another local lizard catching the sun

Moving up the biological scale, our next stop is the flight cage.

Evolutionary statue at flight cage entrance

Chains discourage escapes

Avid birder/photographer zooms in on his subject

Hummer nesting

Besides the many wonderful exhibits, the grounds are landscaped with plants native to the Sonoran Desert and dotted with sculptures of native inhabitants.

Cholla bloom CU

Lizard sculpture

Purple prickly pear

The mammal enclosures aim to recreate the animals natural environment. One of the best is the river otter exhibit.

There's one on the bank

Underwater swimmer

Cruising around the edge of the pool

Other mammals are also freely visible.

Coyotes

Kit fox

Black bear

The big horn sheep are especially fun to watch as they climb around their craggy enclosure.

Kid, Mom & Auntie

Ram

Auntie poses on a ledge

The day is wearing on, so it's time to move on. We stop and admire the view one more time.

Panorama of Sonoran Desert

Statues of Javalinas bid us to return again another time