The Phoenix Zoo was first to create and use mesh lights - lights attached to large, fine nets that cover trees like a hairnet. Up to 12,000 lights cover some trees in this way. Black lights, fiber optics and traditional light strings are seen throughout the zoo as well. The popular dancing trees are back this year. Lights go on or off and grow brighter or dimmer in time to the accompanying music.
Light monkeys swing from vine to vine across a lawn, light frogs jump and light bunnies hop.
Thousands of fiber optics hang above the entrance to the Arizona Trail, seeming to rain down on visitors. Mother Oak returns this year with her wisdom and patience. Little ones line up to ask Mother Oak questions about her natural world. Shyness often overcomes them when their moment arrives to talk to this tree with the moving eyes and mouth. But Mother Oak gently talks them past their reticence.