Sonora Desert Museum, December 2012

The Sonora Desert Museum was a total blast! We spent about 6 hours there looking at all of the animals, scenery and such, with a raptor show as the grand finale. http://www.desertmuseum.org/

In the raptor show, there were eagles, owls, hawks, and a peregrine falcon. During the show, the raptors were perched about 20 feet from us on either side. To get to the other side they flew directly over our heads, and you could feel the wind of their wings. It startled me a bit, enough that I would forget to click the shutter!

The hummingbird house was a marvel! They would land on your shoulder and buzz next to your ear.

So very much fun, and all of it natrue and science.

 

 

Mountain Lion

 

 

Mexican wolf

 

 

Prairie Dog

 

 

Leopard Frogs

 

Javelinas

 



 

 

 Humming Birds - 2 pics



 

 

GrassHoppah

 

Gila Woodpecker



 

Cactus Wren

 

 

Gray Hawk - 3 pics

 

 Barn Owl

 

 

Golden Eagle



 

Kestrel

 



 

Red Tailed Hawk - 2 pics

There is nothing blank about this stare!

Biosphere 2, December 2012

Biosphere 2 (the Earth is biosphere 1) is all about science!

This wonderful facility in Oracle AZ is a monstrous laboratory where they study 3 basic things: landscape evolution, water & climate, energy & sustainability.

All of the elements of STEM were here. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

http://www.b2science.org/

Tropical environment



 

Desert environment 

The Lung, for keeping the air pressure static inside 

 

 

 

 

Tunnel to the Lung



 Living quarters



Apache Trail AZ, December 2012

One day, it was time for some off-road! We chose the Superstition Mountains.

Apach trail was grand fun with awesome scenery. http://www.arizona-leisure.com/apache-trail.html

As you go, you will pass The Lost Dutchman State Park (some are still literaly dying to find the gold), Canyon Lake, and such on the way to Roosevelt Lake.

Half way along is a teenie weenie tiny town called Tortilla Flats, about a block long and not even a wide spot in the road there.

We did not go all the way to Roosevelt Lake due to time.  One day......

The pictures here are of Canyon Lake, Tortilla Flats, and scenery along Apache Trail.

 

 



Old Tucson Studios, December 2012

The appeal and old west acharm of Old Tucson Studios cannot be resisted. http://oldtucson.com/

Site for more than 300 film and television projects since 1939, Old Tucson is one of the most active filming locations for Western-themed movies, television, cable shows and commercials in the United States.

John Wayne, William Holden, Clint Eastwood.....the list is so very long.

 

 

 

This mountain can be seen in scenes from almost every movie made here



 

 



Skydive Arizona, Eloy AZ, November 2012

Soon after we arrived in Casa Grande, neighbors told us of a wonderful place to visit. The Eloy AZ airport is the home of Skydive Arizona http://www.skydiveaz.com/

It is a most popular spot for skydiving, as the weather is almost always perfect. It is out of the way, pretty much in the middle of a great big empty.

The skydivers land directly in front of you, which makes for lots of pictures. And spectators are allowed to view the landings as much as they want for FREE!

The parachutes they use are far from the ones used in WWII. They are able to steer them so that they can land in a limited area, some on a specific spot they have chosen.

The jump from the plane at about 10,000 feet, about 7500 feet above the airport.

This first pic was taken while they were still diving.

They were about 7000 feet above me.

The pic is not a crisp clear due to them going so very fast.

I sure do love the insane zoom on this camera!