[Arizona Docent]

I went out yesterday afternoon and picked up the new (free) summer visitor's guide that I had heard about from their email blast. It is kind of an odd beast - I am not sure what to make of it. It is published by a group called On Media (at no charge I presume to ASDM). It appears to be more of an advertising booklet for southern Arizona attractions. There are literally more pages of ads than their are info pages about the Desert Museum itself. And the actual info pages are interspersed and graphically designed so it is hard to separate them from the ads.

I am mailing a copy tonight to Snowleopard and Ituri and it will be interesting to see what their take on it is.

[Arizona Docent]

Just returned from Summer Saturday Nights, my first visit out there in a few months. Here are a couple news tidbits.

A new great blue heron exhibit has just opened near the prairie dogs. It is fairly small, situated in what used to be a small cienega (desert marsh) exhibit with no live animals. The glass had large strips of yellow safety tape, presumably to let the bird get used to the glass.

The sign on the doors to the upcoming aquarium say it will open December 2012. The last I had heard it was supposed to open on Labor Day (first Monday in September) to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the Museum. I guess construction is behind schedule.

[jbnbsn99]

You know, I can't say that I've ever seen a Great Blue Heron as part of a zoo exhibit before. Seen loads of wild one at zoos, but never part of the collection.

[Arizona Docent]

There used to be one (maybe there still is) inside the walk-in mixed species aviary at The Living Desert. But this is the first stand-alone exhibit just for this species I have seen.

[Arizona Docent]

This Monday is the Labor Day holiday here in the states, which is the holiday the Museum first opened on sixty years ago. Here is a link to their 60th anniversary notice.
ASDM 60th Anniversary

I like the logo and I notice it has a pronghorn, a species they have not had since I have lived here (nearly two decades). Is this merely an ode to the past or a hint at coming attractions?

Speaking of coming attractions, it lists three. The new great blue heron exhibit, which is already there but I assume the yellow tape comes off on Labor Day. The upcoming aquarium room, which opens December 2012. And something called "Diamonds in the Desert" that opens February 2013. No idea what that is, but since they have minerals on display in the geology room, I have a feeling it is related to that.

[Arizona Docent]

Last month (October 2012) they started the new season of their famous raptor free flight demonstrations. (The do not run them during the summer months). The info page linked below makes a point (number one on the list) of stating there are no leg jesses on the birds - and the accompanying photos seem to confirm this.

Previously they have had leg jesses. The Desert Museum is a haven for wildlife photographers and many go there to get natural photos of desert animals. I assume this new policy is in order to help photographers get even more natural looking photos. Fantastic!

Raptor Free Flights at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

[Arizona Docent]

The new aquarium building opens January 5, 2013.

Initially they will be handing out timed tickets to keep crowds at a reasonable number for the small building.

[DavidBrown]

Originally Posted by Arizona Docent The new aquarium building opens January 5, 2013. Initially they will be handing out timed tickets to keep crowds at a reasonable number for the small building.

Do you know what the highlights of the aquarium are?

[Arizona Docent]

Originally Posted by DavidBrown Do you know what the highlights of the aquarium are?

I know there will be a seahorse display (whatever species of seahorse is native to the Gulf of California - sorry I am woefully ignorant of all things aquatic). Other than that I am not sure. But the room is quite small so it will only be a few modest sized tanks.

[Ituri]

Originally Posted by Arizona Docent I know there will be a seahorse display (whatever species of seahorse is native to the Gulf of California - sorry I am woefully ignorant of all things aquatic). Other than that I am not sure. But the room is quite small so it will only be a few modest sized tanks.

That would be the Pacific Seahorse (Hippocampus ingens). Here is an interview with Craig Ivanyi (executive director of the Museum).

https://www.azpm.org/p/top-news/2012...in-the-desert/

[Gulo gulo]

https://ondemand.azpm.org/p/segments...desert-museum/

nice video on exhibits at ASDM. the bts portion on life on the rocks was most impressive.

[vogelcommando]

What about the hummingbirds at ASDM ? I've heared somewhere they are one of the few US-collections with hummingbirds, can somebody tell me which species they have and if they have bred them ? Thanks.

[Ituri]

Currently they house Costa's, Anna's, Broad-tailed, and Broad-billed Hummingbirds. I can't say which species have been bred there, however.

[Arizona Docent]

The funny thing is, you see hummingbirds just as easily right outside the aviary as you do inside! Southern Arizona is a hotspot for humminbird species and they have plants just outside the aviary to attract wild birds.

[Ituri]

Right, but most often the wild hummingbirds seen at the museum are restricted to Anna's and occasional Costa's Hummingbirds.