Patagonia Creek Preserve: Coues Deer

Patagonia Creek Preserve is run by the Nature Conservancy and sits along a five mile stretch of the Patagonia Sonoita Creek. It is a little over an hour's drive southeast of us. Among its many inhabitants is the Coues White Tail Deer. Between 30 and 40 subspecies of White Tail Deer have been identified, although not all agree there are that many. The Coues Deer (contrary to common practice) is not pronounces "coos" but "cows" named after Elliott Coues an ornithologist of the mid 19th century. The Coues is small than our other white tail deer and its range is limited to Southern Arizona, Southern New Mexico, and Northern Mexico. Patagonia Creek Preserve is where I saw my first Javelina in the wild. Coatimundi are occasionally spotted their as well. However, it is mainly noted for its birds: nesting Grey Hawks, Vermillion Flycatchers, Brown Crested Flycatchers, Summer and Hepatic Tanagers, nesting Great Horned Owls, Black and Says Phoebes, and a host of other flycatchers and woodpeckers. Unless something else notable happens, I'll spend the next couple of days with photos taken at the Patagonia Creek Preserve.