Desert Creatures

While we were in Borrego Springs, we took some time to check out the wild and wonderful sculptures in the desert surrounding the town. They are life-sized depictions of the prehistoric creatures that roamed the valley millions of years ago. Dennis Avery (of Avery labels) hired sculptor Ricardo Breceda of Perris, California to create these treasures out of scrap reinforcement bars, wire, and metal. They are scattered on Mr. Avery's land, but he generously allows the public access to them. The project only began in 2008 and already there are about 80 of them with more to come.

I'm not really up on my prehistoric birds, but imagine this guy flying overhead.


Just look at the detail in the feathers of one of his friends.


Hey, I think I recognize these - could they be mastodons?


And look how happy this one looks - blissfully unaware of the ice age to come.


Whew! This one looks mean.


With an equally mean baby who seems to be stalking me!


Help!


I believe these are giant sloths - mommy and baby.


Just look at the front claws (paws?) on her!


This guy appears to be doing a 'happy dance.'


I don't know - maybe a prehistoric tapir?


Some of the sculptures depicted more modern sights in the desert. Gosh, Myra, those weightlifting exercises are really paying off.


The Spanish brought horses into the area in the 1600's.


And I finally got to see my desert bighorn sheep!


I crept up and got a closeup of this one. Isn't he gorgeous?


A memorial to the California gold rush seems appropriate. Although you still see these optimistic souls today (minus the horse.)