The Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association celebrated the grand opening of their newly established Birds and Blooms Garden Shop Nov. 16 with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a special sale for those in attendance.

Betsy Knaak, Executive Director of ABDNHA, and Robin Halford, author of Hiking in Anza-Borrego and owner of the The Desert Robin, welcomed eager customers into the fully stocked shop.

The shop, located on 652 Palm Canyon Drive at the entrance to ABDNHA's Desert Garden, featured a varied selection of desert-adapted native plants were on display and available for purchase. When it comes to adding that finishing touch to your garden, a vibrant splash of color could be just perfect thing for a specific look. The shop's space was completely refurbished by volunteer labor.

Garden gifts, as well as other botanical products, kept customers browsing for something special. A collection of hand-crafted cross stitched book marks by local artist Darlene Van Dale featuring birds, botanicals and plants added to the wide variety on display.

The long working relationship gradually fell into place, and ABDNHA welcomed the expertise of Robin Halford, a fifth generation Californian who discovered Borrego Springs in 1990 and never left.

After many years in operation, Robin decided to close her own shop, The Desert Robin, and use her expertise to assist ABDNHA. All of Robin's popular birding products and special Borrego birdseed mix continues to be available. A large selection of gourmet mixes for quail, roadrunners and chickens is also in stock.

Many designs of wild bird feeders to benefit the local bird population and the best type for your situation are on display, as well as reference books and ideas to enhance your garden.

Robin's publications on hiking in Anza-Borrego (Volume 1, 2 and 3) covers over 200 half-day hikes is also in stock. These publications will take you back in time to show historic survey markers dating from the early 1900s.

The Birds and Blooms Garden Shop is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Note: Adjacent to the Birds and Blooms Garden Shop, the monthly meeting for Desert Gardeners is held under the Solar Ramada and a place to share passion and knowledge with an opportunity to learn from each other. All are invited to attend.