Friday, December 4, 2009

Galleta Meadows

Spanning the whole length of Borrego Springs, CA is a huge miles-long private park called Galleta Meadows Estates. The land owner envisioned the idea of adding "free standing art" to his property with original steel welded sculptures created by artist/welder Ricardo Breceda. He wanted to public to have access to the park, and even allows 3 days free camping!

Most of the sculptures represent prehistoric creatures. These creatures are Gomphotherium, an ancestor to the elephant.


Some of the sculptures are so well balanced, it's hard to figure out how they stay upright.


Phil's dog, Shadow, ran up to the animals and wanted to be friends, until she realized how big they were. This giant turtle even looks scary to me!


I loved all the details - the eyelashes were beautiful.


One of the exceptions to the prehistoric creature theme is this stature of a friar, Father Francisco Garces, an early Spanish Franciscan missionary who explored much of the Southwestern part of North America.


Again, the detail was really interesting.


The giant sloths were covered by metal "hair."


The mother and baby sloth were especially nice.


Until I got too close!


I did notice one change on this mammoth since last year. He seems to have been castrated!


He was fully equipped in my picture from last year.