Discovering Tucson: Sonora Desert Museum

There's something thrilling about seeing coyotes, wolves, mountain lions, and bears roaming the same ground as the path under your feet (rather than behind glass, from a paved road or sidewalk). Touring the Sonora Desert Museum is like hiking a desert trail, and being lucky enough to spot tons of wildlife. You can hike for years without seeing even half of the wildlife that you see in one loop around the open desert there!

Desert Fox

Mexican Wolf

Black Bear

Mountain Lion

Coyote

Javelina

We happened to arrive at the Museum just in time for their "Raptor Free Flights." We followed the crowd, not really knowing what all the excitement was about. It didn't take long before large predator birds were swooping right above our heads, diving and soaring from one branch to another. We learned a lot about birds of the desert, and, of course, got some really fun photos!

Gray Hawk

Barn Owl

Harris's Hawks

Gray Hawk

Harris's Hawk

The Museum also has its own aquarium, which gave us close-up views of creatures you're far less likely to encounter in the desert. We especially enjoyed the saltwater species from the Sea of Cortez.

Garden Eels

Pacific Seahorse

Can you identify this charming fellow?

If you're going to be visiting Tucson, the Sonora Desert Museum is definitely a must-see! It is certainly worth the price of admission, whether or not you get to attend a special program like the Raptor Free Flights. We arrived around mid-day, and stayed until it closed (it's a great spot for sunset!). We could have easily spent the entire day there exploring!