We really like the library pass as it allows free entrance to quite a few attractions in the Phoenix area. This includes the Desert Botanical Garden, where the entrance is quite expensive, but the tickets are very difficult to get. As we were able to find some for this weekend we have to go and soon we understand why they are so difficult to find, it is crazy busy here. We haven’t seen such masses of people for quite some time not even in Europe and are a bit taken aback but what can we do…we decide to explore the garden after briefly taking a look in the gift shop.
The trails are quite busy and this is not helped by the Garden closing multiple areas of for weddings and parties, this makes no sense as most people pay full entrance without even being able to see the full garden. And the garden extracts even more money from the parties…quite annoying really.
What is open is interesting though with a focus on cacti and succulents. Surprisingly there are also quite a few birds here including robins, they are not impressed by the throngs of people.
As we get away from the visitor center the masses of people are reduced ever so slightly and we can enjoy the trails and vegetation a bit more.
It is fun for us to see cacti that are native to Arizona but not to this area like organ pipe cacti and quite a few cholla variations. Of course the local species are also well represented.
There is also a loop focused on how the Native Americans were living and interacting with nature. While interesting it is also very popular which makes even reading the informative signs difficult.
From the few huts that you can enter only one is devoid of people, for a few seconds at least, and we can take a look inside and enjoy the cooler temperatures.
Besides birds the mammals are also out in force represented by rabbits in quite a few spots…
…and round-tailed squirrels living in colonies near the cacti. They are quite cute and likely both benefit from the maintained pond nearby, no waterbirds though on it.
The last part that we visit is a sun shaded area that explains the difference between cacti and succulents and has a great collection of both. We explore it for a while and then escape the Botanical Garden, probably Saturday is not the best time to come but what can you do when you have to work?!
