Winter Desert Trip (3): Arizona Sonora Desert Museum

Our family is crazy about animals. We don't have any pets because of heavy allergies, but that doesn't mean that we don't love them. We enjoy wildlife, and it is an absolute highlight if we see wild animals during our trips. Therefore, the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum in the Tucson Mountains has always been a must for us - we visited every time we came to Tucson, and of course, last time was no exception.

"Museum" might not be the right term, it actually is a zoo that displays flora and fauna of this special desert. No need to create habitats for the animals, they're already there. I was surprised to learn that beavers live in the desert and more than delighted to see Mexican wolves. This kind of wolf is almost extinct in the United States, but during the past few years it has been re-introduced into this area and hopes are high that they will settle down and multiply.

So - take a look at some of the animals that call the Arizona Sonora Desert home.

Harris hawk

Ocelot

Bobcat

My absolute favorite: Cougar (mountain lion)

There was a lot of yawning going on.

Just look at her! She really made eye contact.

Prairie dog, praying

Another favorite of mine: Mexican wolf. Incredibly beautiful.