September started on a high note with a visit to the Desert Botanical Garden. The Chihuly “Desert Towers” sparkled in the early morning sun.
The Chihuly "Desert Towers" sparkle in the morning light.
A big surprise greets visitors after they pass the entrance gate. One of 11 of David Rogers’ “Big Bugs” sculptures, the giant Praying Mantis, greets visitors in the Ottosen Entry Garden.
The Praying Mantis, a David Rogers' "Big Bug" sculpture, resides in the Ottosen Entry Garden.
At 7:30 a.m., the Garden remains quiet and devoid of visitors, so the live creatures venture out along the trails. A roadrunner scurries across the Desert Discovery Loop Trail into the Sybil B. Harrington Succulent Gallery. Further down the trail a wily coyote steps out to investigate some nets covering cactus along the trail.
- A coyote crosses the Desert Discovery Loop Trail to investigate nets covering cactus.
A cardinal nervously tweets and scampers from one branch to another at the entry to the Succulent Gallery, and a cactus wren scolds some unseen creature in the background. An Anna’s hummingbird flits overhead and mourning doves coo and soar from saguaro to trees. Along the Sonoran Desert Nature Loop Trail, a ground squirrel sits under a cactus and snacks on cactus fruit.
A ground squirrel snacks on a cactus fruit.
At the highest point of the Sonoran Desert Nature Loop Trail, three giant Ants by David Rogers descend the steep grade.
David Rogers' Ants descend from the slope above the Sonoran Desert Nature Loop Trail.
They stand among the giant saguaro cactus and look so real a visitor might pause to see if they move.
Another giant Ant stands among the saguaros along the trail.
A giant Grasshopper resides along the Desert Discovery Loop Trail among the cactus and succulents and under a huge mesquite tree.
David Rogers' Grasshopper resides among the cactus and succulents.
A beautiful Ladybug occupies a space next to the sundial in Steele Herb Garden. The newly renovated Center for Desert Living Trail also runs through this area.
- A beautiful Ladybug resides near the sundial in the Steele Herb Garden.
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