The Gem Show

The Gem Show comes to Tucson every year for two weeks in February. It takes over the Convention Center, some Hotels and there are tents set up all over town.  We decided to venture out the last day to the one set up at 22nd Street.

This is the main tent on the East side of the expressway.  There are many more on the other side

There is everything from Dinosaurs

to Beads

 

Minerals

and Gems

Guess this guy moved a little too slowly through the show

My what big teeth you have!  The vendor let us know that since this was the last day of the show that the dinosaurs were buy one get one free.

Some interesting art work

Shiny things!

 Pretty in Pink

Any kind of rock or mineral you could want in any size.  The were packing up most of it when we went thru the outdoor tents.

 

I picked the 22nd street show not only because it was the closest, but I had heard about the African Village section.

These beautiful baskets are made from discarded telephone wire.

Tucson Botanical Gardens

A beautful day for a visit to the Botanical Gardens

Looks like they've been here for ages!

 

 

Of course being early February there's not much in bloom

 

Some big bees buzzing around

and Grapefruit looks ready to pick

They also have an outdoor railroad village

 

Of course the best part is the Butterflies

 

Looks like one escaped!

 Inside it's around 90 degrees, the 80 outside will feel cooler now.

 

What's prettier than a butterfly on an orchid?

 They're everwhere

 Add in a couple of colorful frogs

This poor guy's wings have seen better days

These guys have a beautiful irredescent blue on the tops of their wings but it's very hard to get a pic because when they land they close the wings and when they take off they're fast.

 I thought I'd have to spend the night to get a picture but patience paid off.

 In an adjacent building they raise butterflies.  When they come out of the chrysalis they are gathered and taken to the main orchid and butterfly pavilion.

They have a fabulous cactus garden of course