Even though I've lived in Arizona most of my life, I have never visited the Desert Botanical Gardens or the Butterfly Exhibit! The Gardens are located at the southeast corner of Phoenix, adjacent to Scottsdale and Tempe. I checked out the information on their website and loaded up my camera, took some water, wore a hat and off we went. I like these little day trips with my husband. Since I am so fond of taking pictures, I love to go where I'm sure to find awesome subject material. I'll share a few here, and then do a slide show of more. I took over 100, so rest assured, you don't have to see them all. I even did a rather small video and will see if I can get that to work. We shall see!
By way of information, the Desert Botanical Garden has activities scattered throughout the year, but during March, April and May, the wildflower exhibit and the Butterfly exhibit are especially popular. The last day is May 11.....checking the website will provide information on admission prices, hours, etc.
Here, you see what appears to be the Julia butterfly enjoying lunch. ;-)
The exhibit hosts hundreds of colorful butterflies fluttering around us as we walked, talked and took pictures. The lush gardens are filled with colorful flowers, water and is enclosed in a screened in area. The Marshall Butterfly Pavilion is a place we can watch butterflies sip nectar from flowers, perch in sunny locations, and land on our shoulders, heads, arms, etc. We were asked to be sure to watch where we walked so we didn't inadvertently step on one.
There are several trails throughout the Garden area with signs describing the plant names, what they were used for, explaining that the fruit was edible, etc.
Included in the Garden are: "plants and people of the Sonoran desert trail", "Sonoran Desert Nature Trail", "Desert Discovery Trail", "Herb Garden", "Desert Wildflower Trail", and much, much more.
This little guy (the round-tailed ground squirrel) came right up to my husband - unafraid - and I got his photograph. I think he was smiling for his picture! ;-) There are hummingbirds, (we saw a green one), and many other critters in the garden. We also spotted a couple of desert spiny lizards crawling along as well.
As desert dwellers, we interact with our surroundings. Visiting the Garden and traveling along its trails exploring the many uses of desert plants for food, construction, tools, basket-making and more. The art of pounding mesquite beans to make flour was awesome. It really does look like flour.
The wildflowers were really blooming attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.
I also found out that we can actually buy wildflower seed at www.plantsofthesouthwest.com and www.wildseedfarms.com. So, if any of you are in the market for a wildflower garden, now you know where to buy the seeds.
Oh, I wanted to share another butterfly. Can any of you name THIS butterfly?
Watch for my photo shows..........they'll be up soon. I hope you learned lots of good stuff. ;-)
Thinking about relocating to Mesa, Arizona or the Phoenix Valley? Call me at: 480.216-3334 for information on purchasing or selling a home in Mesa, Arizona or surrounding towns. OR email me: Teri@TeriEllis.com. OR visit one of my websites: HomesAzRE.com
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So is that Monarch Teri that I see there? The desert has quite the beauty!!
You're not kidding about the wildflowers. I took a quick trip to Fountain Hills today and it was gorgeous!
I went to the Desert Botanical Gardens several times when we lived in Scottsdale. It's awesome to see all the plants in bloom and the desert at it's best. You've got some beautif pictures Teri.
Marchel, I think you may be right! I didn't see any Monarchs at the festival though. ;-)
Chuck, to think that they just "grow" is amazing. Only two great seasons of rain here, and they are blooming all over the valley and surrounding areas.
Mary, thanks. I can't believe I'm just FINALLY visiting!!! The pictures I got are so amazing.
Teri, thank you for posting the end date. This will be a great day to spend with the kids.
Teri, love the photos, especially the last one. Cracks me up!
Teri all the pictures are great. I especially like the last one - the species of butterfly is very rare :)
Teri ~~ What a beautiful Teri Butterfly. Great photos. I can't wait for flowers in Minneapolis to start blooming, we are getting close!
Mark, so glad you like the information. Your children would LOVE it.....and so would your entire family. Beautiful and amazing.! ;-)
Marlene, glad you enjoyed the photos - especially the last one. ;-)
Bill, why thank you so much. I couldn't resist sticking my head in there. Fortunately this was the taller one! ;-)
Marzena, ohhh, thank you! I love our spring flowers and our beautiful country. Glad you could visit. Looking forward to when the easteners can share their photos. ;-)
Everything you do seems to have such passion for life. Your posts are full of color and happiness. I love it. I bet people love working with you and always say they love how happy you are.
Dave, thank you so much. I Love, love, love, writing and sharing and photographing things that make me happy. Very nice comment, I appreciate it. ;-)
Good Morning Teri~Look at you girl! "The Lady In Red Butterfly". Great job on presenting this post. I've been gone sick and come back to all this extra beauty. Enjoy your weekend!
Teri- Just in time for our trip to Tempe. We are visting family out there for the first time! I have been searching for fun things to do and see. This will be one place that will be added to our itinerary. Thank you
Julie, sorry to hear you've been ill. Welcome back to good health! Thanks for coming by! ;-)
Deborah, that's wonderful. AND the weather is spectacular, so hope you're coming while it's still on the cool side. This is definitely a must see. Going to Tortilla Flats is another cool place to go, and to the Lost Dutchman's mine. Let me know if you need any other "tips." ;-)
Teri~ Oh my goodness, I love that place! Ive only been a few times, but now I want to go back! You have the same love of the desert beauty that my mom does. She does fabulous watercolors with quail, flowering cactus. Here is a little peek: Susan Harding Watercolors
Teri~ Oh my goodness, I love that place! Ive only been a few times, but now I want to go back! You have the same love of the desert beauty that my mom does. She does fabulous watercolors with quail, flowering cactus. Here is a little peek: Susan Harding Watercolors
Laura, sorry, I just saw your post. Everything has been kitty wompus the past two days. Thanks for sharing your mom's watercolors! ;-) They are absolutely beautiful. Does she still live in Fountain Hills? I DO love the desert, and some day I'd like to paint........someday, someday. ;-)
Hi Teri, Desert Botanical Garden is such a cool place. I see you were able to catch that very rare species with your camera. Good job! ;)
Hi Doreen, it is a cool place..I caught lots of rare species on my camera! ;-) Thanks!
I love the Desert Botanical Garden. I have not been there is a few years but took a couple of grandkids there the last time I did visit and they had a great time.
Bill, I love this place as well. I think my favorite part was the Butterfly Exhibit. So amazing to see all of those beautiful butterflies. ;-)