Photo Mystery 2 (Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park)

Puzzle difficulty: Easy/Medium Suitable for ages 12+

Photo Mystery

start

A digital escape-room-esque challenge

Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park

Note: This escape room is entirely digital. None of the puzzles or props presented here are offered in-person at the park.

Next

Go Back

Click the next button to proceed.

Let's begin...

Thank you for playing Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park's digital escape room!

As you proceed through the story of the mystery photograph, you will be challenged with various puzzles. Having paper and a writing utensil with you may be helpful to complete these challenges. Each puzzle must be successfully completed before moving on to the next part of the story.

Welcome

Go Back

Next

Click the next button to proceed.

Carlsbad, NM 2022

December brought with it colder weather and several foggy mornings. Your last story, featuring the picture you earned from The Photographer, was a big success. You wondered if you would ever hear from them again. Just then, you hear a phone vibrate with a short buzz.

Introduction

1 unread message from The Photographer.

00:00

It's not just any phone, however. It's the phone you received as a part of your last encounter with The Photographer. After completing their challenges, they suggested you hold onto the phone just in case. Now the screen was lit up with an "unread message" notification. Click on the Home button to unlock the phone.

00:00

You begin to wonder what The Photographer has to say. You can only assume that this has something to do with another picture. Click on the Messages icon.

No thank you.

I'm not sure about this.

Bring it on!

Hello again. I hope you have been doing well. I have a new photo if you are up to the challenge.

The Photographer

Sure enough, The Photographer has finally offered you another photo! Are you ready to play through their games? Click on your reply.

. . .

Bring it on!

Hello again. I hope you have been doing well. I have a new photo if you are up to the challenge.

The Photographer

Without hesitation you accept The Photographer's new challenge. You aren't about to let this opportunity go to waste! Click the next button to proceed.

Your enthusiasm is appreciated.

Bring it on!

Hello again. I hope you have been doing well. I have a new photo if you are up to the challenge.

The Photographer

The Photographer seems pleased with your reply. Click the next button to proceed.

. . .

I'm not sure about this.

Hello again. I hope you have been doing well. I have a new photo if you are up to the challenge.

The Photographer

Unsure whether it's wise to engage with The Photographer, you type out a hesitant reply. Click the next button to proceed.

I assure you the puzzles will be entertaining and the photo memorable.

I'm not sure about this.

Hello again. I hope you have been doing well. I have a new photo if you are up to the challenge.

The Photographer

The Photographer swiftly replies, trying to entice you into playing their games. Click the next button to proceed.

I don't think I'm ready for another one of your challenges.

Ok. I'll give it a shot.

I assure you the puzzles will be entertaining and the photo memorable.

I'm not sure about this.

The Photographer

After debating for a few minutes, you make your choice. Click on your reply.

I'm glad to hear it.

Ok. I'll give it a shot.

I assure you the puzzles will be entertaining and the photo memorable.

I'm not sure about this.

The Photographer

You decide to try out The Photographer's challenges once again. Click the next button to proceed.

That's disappointing.

I don't think I'm ready for another one of your challenges.

I assure you the puzzles will be entertaining and the photo memorable.

I'm not sure about this.

The Photographer

You decide not to engage with The Photographer's games at this time. They give a short reply before going silent. Click the next button to proceed.

. . .

No thank you.

Hello again. I hope you have been doing well. I have a new photo if you are up to the challenge.

The Photographer

You decide not to take The Photographer up on their offer. Shortly after declining, you see that they are typing a response. Click the next button to proceed.

That's too bad. I was looking forward to working with you again.

No thank you.

Hello again. I hope you have been doing well. I have a new photo if you are up to the challenge.

The Photographer

You read the incoming reply and wait, curious if The Photographer will try to change your mind. After several minutes you decide that this message will likely be the last. Click the next button to proceed.

TRY AGAIN

It looks like The Photographer will not try to contact you again. What would have happened if you agreed to their challenge?

Oops!

First, you should make your way to this location.

The Photographer

The Photographer sends you a picture of a familiar location. It's the Visitor Center of Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park. Click the next button to proceed.

You arrive at the Refreshments area of the Visitor Center. In this area are vending machines, display cases, a rack of chairs, and a tri-fold poster. There must be a clue hidden here somewhere. Where do you want to check? Click on a circle in the photo to investigate the area.

Go Back

The vending machines are full of tasty snacks and drinks, but there are no clues to be found. Look somewhere else.

Go Back

The display cases are full of many skulls, and next to the cases are some deer antlers. Unfortunately, you don't see any clues. Look somewhere else.

Go Back

The chair rack is, unsurprisingly, packed with chairs. That's it. There are no clues there. Look somewhere else.

The animal I have photographed eats many things. I have included some of those food items in a word bank underneath this word search puzzle. However, not every word in the word bank can be found in the puzzle. At least one word will not be there. The missing word(s) will help you identify what part of the zoo you need to go to next.

Success! You see a paper tucked behind one of the photos on the tri-fold poster showing New Mexico's state symbols. Click the next button to proceed.

The animal I have photographed eats many things. I have included some of these food items in a word bank underneath this word search puzzle. However, not every word in the word bank can be found in the puzzle. At least one word will not be there. The missing word(s) will help you identify what part of the zoo you need to go to next.

When you pull out the paper, you find a message on one side and a 15 x 15 square of letters and 18 words on the other. Your puzzle begins on the next page.

*Remember to deselect the pen tool when you are finished. When you deselect all of your drawn lines will disappear, but if you select the pen tool again, they will reappear.

Help

Use the pen tool* (upper right corner) to mark words as you find them. Remember, there will be at least one word missing from the puzzle. When you think you are done, click the next button.

How many words were missing from the puzzle? Click on your answer.

That's right! Which two words were NOT found in the puzzle? Click on the words.

That's right! Which two words were NOT found in the puzzle? Click on the words.

That's right! Which two words were NOT found in the puzzle? Click on the words.

Correct! Lizard and Rattlesnake were the only words NOT found in the puzzle. Click the next button to proceed.

In which exhibit can you find lizards and rattlesnakes? Click the location on the map.

That's correct! Lizards and rattlesnakes are reptiles, so you need to go to the Reptile Exhibit! Click the next button to proceed.

You walk down the path of the park until you approach the reptile building. You enter into a room with brightly colored signs and then go through a doorway to where the various snakes and lizard are. Click the next button to proceed.

As you look around the exhibit, you notice a slip of paper next to one of the snake's homes. Upon further inspection, you find a total of three papers. Click on the blue papers.

As you look around the exhibit, you notice a slip of paper next to one of the snake's homes. Upon further inspection, you find a total of three papers. Click on the blue papers.

As you look around the exhibit, you notice a slip of paper next to one of the snake's homes. Upon further inspection, you find a total of three papers. Click on the blue papers.

As you look around the exhibit, you notice a slip of paper next to one of the snake's homes. Upon further inspection, you find a total of three papers. Click on the blue papers.

As you look around the exhibit, you notice a slip of paper next to one of the snake's homes. Upon further inspection, you find a total of three papers. Click on the blue papers.

As you look around the exhibit, you notice a slip of paper next to one of the snake's homes. Upon further inspection, you find a total of three papers. Click on the blue papers.

As you look around the exhibit, you notice a slip of paper next to one of the snake's homes. Upon further inspection, you find a total of three papers. Click on the blue papers.

Click the next button to proceed.

As you look around the exhibit, you notice a slip of paper next to one of the snake's homes. Upon further inspection, you find a total of three papers. Click on the blue papers.

You retrieve the three pieces of paper from the Reptile Exhibit. Each one has some random lines and shapes on it. Just then, your phone vibrates again. Click the next button to proceed.

Combined, they will lead you to a location on the map.

You should have found 3 slips of paper in the Reptile Exhibit.

You are doing well so far.

And, as always, "X" marks the spot.

The Photographer

The Photographer has once again made contact. This time, it seems, it is to give you a nudge in the right direction. According to their message, the 3 drawings must go together somehow. Click the next button to proceed.

Which of the two bottom images matches the the image created by combining the three pictures you found? Click on the correct image.

We move!

What location do the combined images lead to? Click the location on the map.

That's it! The image is of the aviary section. Specifically, the "X" marks the walkthru aviary. As you get ready to walk back up the path, you can't help but wonder if the shape of that "X" is significant somehow. Click the next button to proceed.

Inside the walkthru aviary you spot a locked gray box sitting on the ground. You walk up to the box to inspect it. Click the next button to proceed.

19

15

• One letter is correct but in the wrong place.

• Two letters are correct but in the wrong places.

• One letter is correct and in the right place.

• Nothing is correct.

• Two letters are correct but in the wrong places.

• One letter is correct but in the wrong place.

• Two letters are correct but in the wrong places.

• One letter is correct and in the right place.

• Nothing is correct.

• Two letters are correct but in the wrong places.

On the back of the box are two slips of paper. Each paper has the same set of instructions with a different combinations of letters. One of the riddles must be used to unlock the box, but which one? Each paper has a different number (15, 19) in the corner. There must be another piece to this puzzle. Click the next button to proceed.

You continue to walk through the aviary watching birds hop around on the ground and in the trees. As you approach the second set of doors, you see a picture of a cuckoo clock taped to it. You pull the picture from the door and see the words "Count the differences to open the lock" written on the back. Click on the picture of the cuckoo clock.

Assuming you need another picture in order to "count the differences", you head back towards the door you entered through. Sure enough, you find another cuckoo clock picture taped there. You place the photos side-by-side and begin to look for differences. Based on the locked box riddles, you guess there must be 15 or 19 differences between the two photos. Click on the picture of the cuckoo clock to begin your next puzzle.

Important notes in bold in the help section!

*Remember to deselect the pen tool when you are finished. When you deselect all of your drawn lines will disappear, but if you select the pen tool again, they will reappear.

Image adapted from: Cuckoo clock, Sankt Goar by Unknown author licensed under CC 0 1.0https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cuckoo_clock,_Sankt_Goar.jpg

Cuckoo clock, Sankt Goar by Unknown author is licensed under CC 0 1.0https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cuckoo_clock,_Sankt_Goar.jpg

Use the pen tool* to mark the differences as you find them. Click the next button when you are done.

Spot the differences between these two images. How many differences did you find (15 or 19)?

19

15

How many differences did you find between the two pictures? Click the right answer.

(Answer explanation)

Image adapted from: Cuckoo clock, Sankt Goar by Unknown author licensed under CC 0 1.0https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cuckoo_clock,_Sankt_Goar.jpg

Cuckoo clock, Sankt Goar by Unknown author is licensed under CC 0 1.0https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cuckoo_clock,_Sankt_Goar.jpg

Each difference has been marked for you to see. Click the next button to proceed.

Correct! There are 15 differences between these two images.

15

• One letter is correct but in the wrong place.

• Two letters are correct but in the wrong places.

• One letter is correct and in the right place.

• Nothing is correct.

• Two letters are correct but in the wrong places.

Curious about the other note?

If 15 was your answer to the Cuckoo clock puzzle, the animal I've photographed can run at speeds of 15-20 mph. Some sources say one animal was clocked running 26 mph!

15

Image adapted from: Cuckoo clock, Sankt Goar by Unknown author licensed under CC 0 1.0https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cuckoo_clock,_Sankt_Goar.jpg

You look back at the riddles attached to the gray box and focus on the one labeled "15". On the back is a short note. Your puzzle begins on the next page.

*Remember to deselect the pen tool when you are finished. When you deselect all of your drawn lines will disappear, but if you select the pen tool again, they will reappear.

Use the clues to determine the lock's 4-letter combination. Use the pen tool* or pen/paper to take notes. When you know the answer, click the next button.

• One letter is correct but in the wrong place.

• Two letters are correct but in the wrong places.

• One letter is correct and in the right place.

• Nothing is correct.

• Two letters are correct but in the wrong places.

Which combination is correct? Click on the correct lock.

Success! The lock unlocks and you are able to open up the box. Inside is a picture of the box turtle exhibit sign. You passed the box turtles on your way up to the walkthru aviary, so you know just where to go. Click the next button to proceed.

Congratulations

The box turtles share their exhibit with another species: the Greater Roadrunner. When you approach their home, you see that it is underneath the roadrunners' sign, not the box turtles', where your prize is to be found. You pull out the envelope with "Congratulations" written across it and proceed to open it up. Click the next button to proceed.

Congratulations! You have successfully completed all of my puzzles. I certainly hope you didn't find them boring. Each clue was related to the roadrunner in some way. Let us review... 1. Tri-Fold Poster (New Mexico State Symbols) Every state has its unique set of state symbols, just like the United States has its national symbols. The U.S. national bird is the bald eagle. New Mexico's state bird is the Greater Roadrunner! 2. Lizards & Rattlesnakes The word search listed a lot of foods that roadrunners will eat. You can sometimes see them running off with a lizard or snake tail hanging from their beaks! Roadrunners are skilled hunters and will occasionally take on a rattlesnake, jumping around and dodging until they have an opening to strike. 3. X Marks the Spot, the Aviary, and a Cuckoo Clock The "X" on the map piece was actually a representation of a roadrunner footprint! They have zygodactyl feet and their X-shaped tracks are thought to make it more difficult for a predator to tell which direction they are travelling. You, on the other hand, had no trouble following their single track to the aviary.

I led you to the aviary for a very simple reason: roadrunners are birds! Specifically, they are members of the cuckoo family, and what better hint to include than a beautiful cuckoo clock? 4. EMCA & 15 MPH As the note on the back of the lock riddle said, greater Roadrunners can reach speeds of 15-20 mph. That's fast! And despite what a certain cartoon would lead you to beliece, coyotes can run quite a bit faster at 20-40 mph. And as a reference to this iconic cartoon, the lock combination EMCA spelled backward is ACME, Wile E. Coyote's preffered brand for all his roadrunner-capturing needs! Now that you have completed this challenge, I hope you'll take some time to visit Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park. Check out all of the locations you visited virtually for this challenge, and make sure to stop by the roadrunner exhibit to say "Hello!" Until next time, The Photographer

Congratulations

As expected, inside the envelope are a note and a photo. Click the next button to view the documents.

Click the next button to proceed.

Click the next button to proceed.

Click on the bolded words in the letter for more info.

I led you to the aviary for a very simple reason: roadrunners are birds! Specifically, they are members of the cuckoo family, and what better hint to include than a beautiful cuckoo clock? 4. EMCA & 15 MPH As the note on the back of the lock riddle said, greater roadrunners can reach speeds of 15-20 mph. That's fast! And despite what a certain cartoon would lead you to believe, coyotes can run quite a bit faster at 20-40 mph. And as a reference to this iconic cartoon, the lock combination EMCA spelled backward is ACME, Wile E. Coyote's preffered brand for all his roadrunner-capturing needs! Now that you have completed this challenge, I hope you'll take some time to visit Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park. Check out all of the locations you visited virtually for this challenge, and make sure to stop by the roadrunner exhibit to say "Hello!" Until next time, The Photographer

Congratulations! You have successfully completed all of my puzzles. I certainly hope you didn't find them boring. Each clue was related to the roadrunner in some way. Let us review... 1. Tri-Fold Poster (New Mexico State Symbols) Every state has its unique set of state symbols, just like the United States has its national symbols. The U.S. national bird is the bald eagle. New Mexico's state bird is the greater roadrunner! 2. Lizards & Rattlesnakes The word search listed a lot of foods that roadrunners will eat. You can sometimes see them running off with a lizard or snake tail hanging from their beaks! Roadrunners are skilled hunters and will occasionally take on a rattlesnake, jumping around and dodging until they have an opening to strike. 3. X Marks the Spot, the Aviary, and a Cuckoo Clock The "X" on the map piece was actually a representation of a roadrunner footprint! They have zygodactyl feet and their X-shaped tracks are thought to make it more difficult for a predator to tell which direction they are travelling. You, on the other hand, had no trouble following their single track to the aviary.

Start over?

Thank you for playing this Mystery Photo digital escape room! You have proved yourself to be a super sleuth! We hope you will come visit us at Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park soon!

Great job!

TRY AGAIN

It looks like this puzzle stumped you. I'll give you another chance to figure it out. The Photographer

Oops!