Saguaro National Park

     Located in two sections to the east and west of Tucson,  Saguaro National Park is the first national park or monument set aside to protect a species of plant, the mighty saguaro cactus.  I don't have any pictures or memories of visiting this area back in the 80s, with my mom, aunt and uncle.  But, I am fairly sure we must have driven through this area as it is near Old Tucson, a western movie studio, that we did go to.
Some History

    In March 1933, President Herbert Hoover set aside land to the east and west of Tucson to protect the saguaro cactus.  Presidents Kennedy and Johnson would add more land to the monument.  In 1994, President Clinton would again enlarge the protective area and make Saguaro National Park the 52nd national park in the United States.

Some Science

    The Sonoran Desert, located in Arizona and northern Mexico, is a diverse and fascinating home to several species of cacti and a host of animals.  The Desert Museum, located near the entrance of the park is a fascinating place to visit and see the diverse animal life that lives in the desert.

   Susan and had limited time, and would like to come back to hike the trails we did not get to.  Here are a few of the animals that live in the Sonoran Desert.

Prairie Dogs - they had a glassed in enclosure.  However with their vast network of tunnels, they probably could get out of the enclosure.

A humming bird on her nest.

Western Screech Owl

Parrots!

A map of the Islands in the Sky - where parrots live.

Puma or Mountain Lion

Kestrals - a type of hawk

Mule Deer

Can you find the Mexican wolf?  He is camoflaged.

Snakes

Tarantulas

  Other animals include rabbits, javalinas (don't call them pigs!), foxes, coyotes, brown bears (really!) tortoises, river otters (we did see these, hard to photograph) and fish found only in this region.

Islands in the Sky  

     The high mountains in Arizona and Mexico attract clouds filled with rain.  With this high amount of rain, semi-tropical rain forests develop, attracting parrots.  This was a fascinating fact that was new to me.

     I loved this park and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves nature.  The Arizona-Sonora  Desert Museum is located in the western section of the park, and is a great place for adults and kids alike.