A Desert Oasis

En route north from Tucson we drove through the copper mining country east of Phoenix featuring many huge open pit copper mines.  Our destination was the Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park in Superior, Arizona.  A desert oasis built back in the 20's by one of the copper barons, it features plants native, not only to this area but man similar deserts existing in South Africa, Argentina, Australia.  Interesting to see so many similarities in cactus, and other plants.

The bees and other insects were having a hey day with all the buds and flowers.  We walked the grounds for several hours and here are a few photos.  then we headed further north up into the cooler forested country of northern Arizona staying the night in a little quiet park near Payson.

Mr. Bumble Bee (about 1.5 inches long)  with gold wings

Oasis waterfall

Single Poppy

Largest Cactus Flower I,ve ever seen- 6 inches

Butterfly in Agave

Bee 

Another Bee