Let me tell you 'bout the birds and the bees, the flowers and the trees...

Yesterday, we took a day off to spend my birthday at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Superior, Arizona. The weather was perfect, and the timing couldn't have been any better, as most of the desert wildflowers and trees on display there were in full bloom.

 Hundreds of cars were in the parking lot, indicating how popular this State Park is on a fabulous Spring day.






Pictures and words can only begin to describe the kaleidoscopic show of flowers throughout the park. So much for a barren desert! You couldn't turn your head without being amazed by yet another bush, cactus, herb, succulent, or tree in bloom.





One of my favorite birds seen here in the Sonoran Desert, a Phainopepla. Jason thinks its name sounds like a disease.
 

 This clever fellow ran away from Jason as he tried to photograph it, but for some reason it found refuge on my foot. I think he might have wanted to clue me in on how I could "save hundreds on car insurance."

Please forgive the chipped nailpolish & ugly sandals (they're COMFORTABLE! :-)  )

 

This is a carpenter bee. Like June-bugs, they are quite large and imposing, but at the same time, non-aggressive. They are ubiquitous in the Sonoran desert in March/April.





One of the many trails in the park. This is so funny... just as I was about to caption this photo, Jason asked me how to spell "chihuahua" (he's writing the pets portion on a rental home contract)

The park has several different geological and geographical zones, such as the Chihuahuan, Upper Sonoran, Eucalyptus forest, Australian Outback, herb garden, Magma Ridge, and South American exhibits.










This is the clever silky trap of a funnel-web spider's spiny cactus lair. Insects can go in, but they're not likely to re-emerge!

We didn't go past this point.

 One exhibit was of a small forest of different eucalyptus (redbark) trees from around the world. Some of these trees were huge!

 Enjoying a beautiful day amidst the birds and the bees, the flowers and the trees, was an awesome birthday present! If you are in the Phoenix area, especially in Spring, I highly recommend visiting the Boyce Thompson Arboretum! Even if you're not a "nature person" you will enjoy it.  You are welcome to view the complete photo album of  of the spectacular flowers & scenery from yesterday's trip by clicking here