Aussie Outback visits Tucson

David Jackson, a trainer/educator, holds a cockatoo at the Westward Look Resort, 245 E. Ina Road. San Diego representatives were in Tucson last week on a promotional tour with a kangaroo, a laughing kookaburra, a cockatoo and two blue-tongued skinks. They were publicizing the San Diego Zoo's…

Aussie Outback visits Tucson

This young red kangaroo is accustomed to pouches, but perhaps not the one Melanie Angeles is carrying.

Aussie Outback visits Tucson

Melanie Angeles, a trainer, is holding two blue-tongued skinks.

Aussie Outback visits Tucson

A laughing kookaburra perches on Melanie Angeles' finger.

Aussie Outback visits Tucson

Water once flowed, now it drips

Three years ago, Westward Look Resort, 245 E. Ina Road, made a major overhaul of its grounds by switching from water-intensive foliage and lawns to low-water-use plants and designs.

Westward Look cooks what it grows

Westward Look Resort landscape manager Raymundo Ocampo, second from left, discusses a fruiting avocado tree with a cooking class at the resort, 245 E. Ina Road. Ocampo uses organic methods and engineers microclimates to encourage fruiting in the resort's food garden.

Westward Look cooks what it grows

Clair Rony, left, and Leslie Loper enjoy lunch after the Westward Look cooking class.

Westward Look cooks what it grows

Microclimates and organic gardening techniques are what create the beautiful flowering and fruiting gardens at Westward Look Resort, according to landscape manager Raymundo Ocampo.