The
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is at the top of our list of things to do in the Tucson area. Even though we were here 8 months ago we couldn't wait to come back again.

Another great thing about visiting this museum is that you can camp at
Gilbert Ray Campground or
Snyder Hill BLM. We spent a couple days at each but feel Gilbert Ray is definitely one of our favorite all time campgrounds; it's like camping in a desert botanical garden with near perfect sunsets almost every night.

The museum has an amazing assortment of plant and animal species. We could see animals up close in their natural surroundings, like this Coyote.

Once again there was a Harris Hawk demonstration, like on our last visit.

The Mexican Wolf has been hunted into extinction by ranchers here in the USA, but I think there are still a few in Mexico.

What a great place for a Cactus Wren to build their nest. What predator could possibly get through this defensive perimeter?

Happy Javalinas, enjoying some shade from the hot afternoon sun.

I took another photo of the convoluted Saguaro Cactus and compared it to my previous photo-no difference whatsoever. I'll have to be very patient to ever see any change; 8 months is nothing in the life of a plant than can reach 200+ years old.