Monday, July 11, 2011

Patagonia Creek Preserve

The Arizona Wildfires are now out. Several days of monsoons have finished the process that 4000 firefighters had been working on since early May. In all, the three wildfires burned 1,250 square miles (about one million acres).

Most of the National Forest Service land is still closed, but should start opening up this month. In the meantime, looking for wildlife photo opportunities is restricted to private lands and public city parks. (Hence the Brown Pelican and Black Crown Night Herons at Lakeside Park here in Tucson).

But, Patagonia Sonoita Creek Preserve, owned by the Nature Conservancy has been opened. So, a little trip there was rewarded with a Coues White Tailed Deer. The Coues (pronounced "cows") is a small subspecies of White Tailed Deer found only in Southeastern Arizona, Southwestern New Mexico, and Mexico). It is a very elusive deer -- a big prize for hunters. Since I only shoot with a camera, maybe they are more curious than afraid. Anyway, I always feel fortunate to spend a few moments with any large mammal.

Coues White Tailed Deer

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