Thursday, December 2, 2010

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.)

8 comments:

  1. Those are great! I truly wish to see them myself one day. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  2. With her thing about rusty, Diana must love this place. It's wonderful that this man gives back with this art and you share it here.

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  3. The sculptures were really cool and the pictures were great!

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  4. Yup, I really love all the beautiful rusty stuff. My favorite is the gold panner, but maybe because I hadn't seen him before.

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  5. What great sculptures. I'm glad I use Avery labels. We really have to visit that area.

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  6. what a super outdoor gallery! I love them all--They look very real--Great that Avery is giving back to the community! I wouldnt mind trying my luck at panning---know a good spot?

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  7. So glad to finally meet you at the Thanksgiving gathering! I've been following your blog for well over a year now.

    Great pictures of the sculptures!

    Hope to see you again soon.

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  8. So nice to see you out and about traveling again. Ron sure is one strong guy. Can he leap tall buildings in a single bound too? ;c)

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