Welcome to my wild-life.
I love the wide open spaces of the southwest, and Anza-Borrego was no exception. As the largest state park in California, it’s highlights include: off-roading through canyon washes, hiking wind caves, roaming through native palm forests, and art.
Yes, art.
Smack in the middle of the desert we started seeing fantastical, metal creatures, and familiar characters we know from living in the west. They were scattered in no particular order. Some were close to the road, others off in the distance.
We were pleasantly surprised to find that the Gold Miner had treasures in his pot. Real money from all over the world. Very cool to me.
The creation of Sky Island was a vision that was brought to life by metal sculpter, Ricardo Breceda. Little did Dennis Avery, the town benefactor, know his passion for free standing art, would not only appeal to Breceda, but also become a sought after attraction for those who visit.
The Sky Art sculptures are purposeful in that many depict history, and educate us, about the creatures that roamed this valley in Paleolithic times.
Some we still have today, and many of them are so lifelike, it is eerie to walk near them.
There are over 100 larger than life creatures that are scattered over 1500 acres of this undeveloped desert valley. And while we didn’t see them all, I would have been disappointed to miss the scorpion, and the serpent. The detail is exquisite, and I wish I took more time to photograph the hair, the fur, the faces, the stitching on clothing, and the tire tread.
Visiting? A map from the Visitor Center will help you find them.
This was our first trip to Anza-Burrego, certainly not our last.
Wind Kisses from my wild-life, Donna
Shared with: #SundayStills #PPAC32
These sculptures really are truly amazing, Donna! What a wonderful visionary to have created these for all to enjoy! 100 of them? Awesome!
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Yes. It’s unique. I wish I could have spent more time.
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Thank you. You would love this area.
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Fabulous Donna. Love the dragon. You should have parked your car next to the sculpture 🙂
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Yes. In a perfect world. At the more popular ones, there were more people. A little harder to maneuver. It was still fun.
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Wow, these are amazing! I want to see these in person! … on a cool day please 😊
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Yes. It was a great time. March and April are the best times.
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Woah, Donna! Can’t believe these gorgeous, humongous sculptures are standing just like that in a desert setting. It’s like you wandered on to a movie set. Your post is my morning shot of awe!
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Wow! Thank you. I felt the same way when we stumbled across so many. It felt like a movie set in some instances. Thank you again. Donna
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Wow, these are amazing! If ever we get back to CA this park will be high on my list of must-visits for sure 😀
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It was a pleasant surprise on our way to the coast.
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Brilliant! I’d be reluctant to leave until I found as many as possible.
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If I was alone I would have spent the whole day. Lol. There was a section on dinosaurs that would have been fun to run from, or run after. Lol. Lots of pretending to enjoy there.
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What an absolutely stunning display of desert art. If only there were a way to teleport myself there now. Great photography!
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Thank you. You’d love it. The dinosaurs were cool too, just don’t have photos. Definitely a “put it in the list” if you are ever in Southern California.
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Donna, first, I love the fact they are metal art, 2nd they are out there in the middle of nowhere. They are amazing pieces of art. This is definitely on my list of places to go. Thanks for playing along this week. Sorry to be so late in responding.
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Never be sorry for being a part of something you love. When I arrived there, I told my husband, my Prescott friend would love this. It really was everything you love.
In some ways, I wish I would have taken photos of all of them, in other ways I am glad I didn’t. I think there should be that “wow” moment for those who decide to follow our steps.
This place had YOU written all over it. 🤗
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Wow… these are amazing! And, the size!
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Yes. It was interesting, but mostly FUN!
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Amazing adventures
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Thank you. It’s an amazing world, isn’t it?
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Oh wow!
No wonder you enjoyed this amazing trip so much. These art sculptures are truly mesmerizing 🙂
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There were intriguing for sure. Something new for me.
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