Tuesday, January 1, 2013

visit to Phoenix 3

After a few days in Phoenix we went down to Tucson to visit Gabe and Kris's house. The kids were very excited to stay with their cousins. Before going to their house we went to the Desert Sonoran Museum. Its not really a museum but rather a zoo but dedicated to native animals of the desert. Its a fantastic zoo!

This mountain lion was posing for us!

Amalia liked this heart-shaped cactus.

The two older girls sitting on the Gabe's porch. They live on the side of Mt. Lemon which rises up over 10,000ft. Makes for great hiking and views.

Here is another view of their backyard.

One of the coolest things at the zoo was the free-flight demonstration using trained raptors. They zoomed right over our heads! Here is a barn owl.

The kids posing for a pic.

Trying to get them all to sit still was essentially impossible.

This old Studebaker was parked out from of the museum.

Amalia riding a javalina.

Here is the grey hawk posing for us.

And flying by... buzzing the tower!

And waiting for its treat.

And the barn owl again.

The coolest part were the Harris's hawks. There were 4 of them and they were flying all around us. They are cooperative breeders so are used to spending lots of time together. It was cool to watch their interactions.

Pretty bird.


A pack of Javalina taking a nap.

Gabe leading the girls.

And finally a tired cougar that wasn't too bothered by us staring at him.