Full Moon

Full moon from my back yard

You don't have to travel far to be amazed by nature.

Round-Tailed Ground Squirrel

This is a darling little round-tailed ground squirrel we saw at the Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix Arizona.  We sat and watched him run around, diligently enlarge his burrow, have a snack, etc.  So cute.

These guys are native to the southwest.  They look a lot like prairie dogs, but aren't related.

If you're visiting Phoenix (or if you live here)--I highly recommend the Desert Botanical Garden.  I recommend going in spring.  

Butterfly Exhibit at the Botanical Gardens

Each spring at the Phoenix Desert Botanical Gardens, they have a butterfly exhibit.  You can go inside a big mesh tent right with the butterflies.  Just swarms of them.  I'd never seen anything like it.  Very, very beautiful.

Here are some:

Giant swallowtail

White peacock

Zebra longwing

Gulf fritillary (top of wings)

Gulf fritillary (bottom of wings)

The display usually ends in mid May.  The rest of the botanical gardens are really awesome too.  Plan plenty of time.  Also, consider checking out a culture pass from the library--good for 2 admissions.  :)

Click here for more information on the Desert Botanical Garden  

Cactus Flowers at the Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix Arizona

Cactus blossoms at the Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden

Late April

The saguaro flowers in the picture above each bloom for only one day.  

The world is amazing.

Click here for more information on the Desert Botanical Garden