Visit to Desert Botanical Garden and Chihuly Exhibit: Desert twilight and Chihuly after dark

May 01, 2014


Have you ever visited a garden twice in one day? After a late morning/mid-afternoon stroll through Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Garden on April 4th, I returned just before sunset to enjoy the “magic hour” of light and see the Chihuly glass sculptures dramatically lit.

The low, warm light was indeed magical, incandescing these creosote fruits and turning saguaros into hulking silhouettes.


I love that DBG is open to visitors for 12 hours each day, from 8 am to 8 pm; if you’re a member you can enter as early as 7 am on certain days. Early arrival is much better for photography, for beating the heat, and for seeing a garden with few other people. Late departure, as I found, is pretty awesome too.


I headed for the Wildflower Loop as dusk fell, where silvery Agave colorata and pink evening primrose, along with other wildflowers, continued to shine.


The lilac and ivory seedpods of paperbag bush (Salazaria mexicana) glowed in the fading light as well.


Closeup of paperbag bush


Lilac and ivory in the larger landscape


The birds and I enjoyed the majestic saguaros…


…catching the last rays of the setting sun.


This hummingbird busied himself at the ocotillo snack bar for a pre-bedtime snack.


I wasn’t the only one shooting the evening light. Behind the photographers, on the butte in the distance, you can see the Chihuly installation “Desert Neon” — a line of neon cacti marching up the hill.


The saguaros themselves seem to be giving the finger to the universe.


It was nearly dark by the time I left the Wildflower Loop. The gardens were festive with laughing people, and no wonder — a wine bar had been set up in one of the plazas. The Chihuly pieces were illuminated for nighttime viewing.


I only saw a few of them, as I was dead tired by this point and ready to find my hotel.


The sculptures’ bright colors really stood out at night, illuminated against the subtle gray-greens of the cacti and succulents around them.


This Chihuly “sun” piece was my favorite, glowing brightly after the desert sun had gone to bed.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this 5-part series on my visit to Desert Botanical Garden. For a look back at the Edible Garden, palo verde splendor, and Chihuly balloons, click here. You’ll find links to the other DBG posts at the end of each post.

All material © 2006-2014 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

10 responses to “Visit to Desert Botanical Garden and Chihuly Exhibit: Desert twilight and Chihuly after dark”

  1. Peter/Outlaw says:

    OOOh! I like the glass sculptures even better at night!

  2. louis says:

    Oh, Pam! Those saguaros are stunning. But those first two photos took my breath away!

  3. Just beautiful – thanks for sharing your wonderful photos. I would love to see that Chihuly fireball in person!

    • Pam/Digging says:

      It’s pretty amazing, Elizabeth. I hope you have a chance to see the Chihuly exhibit at a garden near you one day. —Pam

  4. commonweeder says:

    What amazing photographs. You have captured the beautiful light – and shape of the garden. That Chihuly sun makes me laugh.

  5. Marilyn Rodriguez says:

    Your photos are magnificent. I really appreciate getting to see the Chihuly installation.