Some Whiskey Row critters

In case you weren't aware of it, there is a minor zoo along Whiskey Row. No, I am not talking about animals artwork in the galleries or geegaw collections for sale in the shops. Instead, these are decorative critters that you see so often that they disappear from your consciousness.

Starting at the top of the Palace. First, someone out there help me -- what do you call the architectural decorative element above? In any event, the section that I'm interested in includes not one or two but three critters:

There's the mountain lion/puma/cougar...

...a hungry bear
...and, in the middle, the prey -- a buck deer. All are elements reflecting our local wildlife.

As is the longhorn skull in the middle of the sign advertising Matt's Saloon. Complete to glowing red eyeballs.

An amusing contrast at the Birdcage Saloon sign -- the pretty blue parrot sitting on the "C" -- and the sculpted raptor looking as though he's ready to pounce the parrot with his open talons. No question that the raptor is the local guy, tho apparently there was "international" trade in such exotics as parrots long before white man arrived in Arizona.

As for the African giraffe and zebra -- I discovered them one day while eating a tamale at Angelina's. The animals were displayed high up on a ledge over the front door.

Winter Links: RV-Boondocker Explorer has settled for the winter in Silver City NM, where he just enjoyed a pretty dusting of snow. Tales From a Birch Wood, who blogs from Dublin, introduces us to a pleasant concept -- winter cherries, which are just coming into bloom. The third link is in a totally different quadrant. As you are no doubt aware, there are bloggers dedicated to very, very narrow niches; this individual collects intel on how writers, artists & other interesting people organize their days at Daily Routines.