National Wildlife Refuges

Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona, 1939

The Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge is located in the Sonoran Desert in southwestern Arizona. The refuge, established in 1939 to protect Desert Bighorn Sheep, is located along 56 miles of the US/Mexican border and covers 860,010 acres — the third largest NWR in the lower 48 States -- and larger than the state of Rhode Island. 

Spanish for "dark head," the refuge's name comes from the Cabeza Prieta Mountains in the refuge's northwest part. Author Edward Abbey, a frequent visitor, described the Cabeza Prieta as "the best desert wilderness left in the USA."  This is one of the "hottest" and "driest" places in the US (if not the most). There is but one 4x4 only road through the refuge. Typically, the Desert Bighorn Sheep stay five or more miles away from that road and in the heart of the mountain areas, so they are seldom seen. Desert Bighorn Sheep are physiologically different than other Bighorn Sheep in that they have adapted to the hot and dry climate. They can go three weeks without water.  It is also home to the endangered Sonoran Pronghorn, of which less than 400 remain in the US. Much of the Refuge is closed from mid March to mid July to protect breeding Pronghorn. The Pronghorn are seldom seen as well. 

Summer ground temperatures easily reach 130 degrees. Before entering, you must watch a 25 minute video on the hazards of Cabeza Prieta and then fill out a two page form verifying that you understand those hazards. Once signed, you are given a six month permit to visit the Refuge. However, you must call the Refuge's "Hotline" upon entry and exit each time you visit.

Among other mammals living here are Feral (Wild) Burros. Although they too, are not easily found I have had success finding them. I also came across a Wild Horse on one visit. And, I did get a quick glimpse of a Badger once, but he disappeared before I could get the camera out.

The occasional abnormality creates a very unusual looking Saguaro.

Young Wild Burro Running

Three very curious Wild Burros

Wild Burros with Saguaros in background.

Gorgeous looking Coyote

Regal Horned Lizard

Wild Horse

Badger Tracks

Mountain Lion Track

Sunset at Cabeza Prieta

Said with Tongue in Cheek

Every once in awhile I change my desktop photo. And, two days ago I had such an urge so was looking for a new photo and decided on the Bobcat photo below. I have been looking at that photo on my desktop for a two days now. And this morning I wondered how many different mammal photos I have where I can see their tongue. (Okay, I admit I must not have anything important to do --- or, that I am feeling lazy and am procrastinating the important things). Nonetheless,  I found ten such photos. My idle mind then thought, I have been doing my Blog for 28 months now, why not a Post on "Tongues?" Soo .....

Bison

Black Bear

Bobcat

Coatimundi

Coyote

Elk

Hooded Skunk

Moose

Mule Deer

White Tail Deer

Predators with Their Prey

Life of the predator is not easy. Often unsuccessful, they keep trying until they capture their food. I have seen Coyotes gang up on a rabbit without success. I have seen Bobcats chase after rabbits without success. But, often enough they succeed. Here are a few photos:

American Marten with Squirrel

Bobcat with Desert Cottontail

Coyote with some Carcass

Gray Wolf with Bison Carcass

Grizzly Bears with Elk

Northern River Otter with Salmon

Life around The Azure Gate

There are also things to see around The Azure Gate. Maybe it is a Coyote passing through late in the morning; or maybe a snake or two (Sonoran Gopher Snake, Desert Kingsnake, Western Diamondback Rattlesnake) or maybe one of many Round Tail Ground Squirrels poking their head up out of their burrow --  all of which we've seen here in the past week.

Coyote

Sonoran Gopher Snake

Desert Kingsnake

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Round Tailed Ground Squirrel

Visitors to The Azure Gate

Over the past week there have been a couple of visitors here that got my attention and was able to photograph. I am a little surprised that we have not seen a Gila Monster yet this year. I am most surprised that we have not seen a Tarantula yet this summer. Usually the rains bring Tarantulas out, but so far none. However, two days ago a Coyote trotted by mid morning; and later on that day a very beautiful Sonoran Gopher Snake came by. He was about five feet long.  At first glance you take caution since they look similar in coloring to our Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. But, the gopher snake is harmless -- well, unless you are a squirrel, mouse, or rat. Here are some photos:

Coyote

Sonoran Gopher Snake

Sonoran Gopher Snake Closeup

CARNIVORES: A Return to Coyotes

As I was going through old photos I found something special. It is not the world's greatest photo, but it is a rare one:

I took this photo in Wells Gray Provincial Park, British Columbia. Wells Gray, Cariboo Mountain, and Bowron Lakes Parks are clustered together and cover 3000 square miles (!) of wilderness. Only about 10% of Wells Gray is accessible by car. It has some amazing water falls, salmon runs, lakes, and wildlife galore. On one trip ('95 or '96) I was driving back from the road's end when I came across what looked like a Coyote. But it was black. Never seeing one before, I had to do some research. I found reports of Black Coyotes being identified, but never any "official" biological explanation. In checking the web in preparation for this post almost all of the searches led to hunters that have found and "killed" a black coyote. Here is one such account:

"Last Sunday morning, I shot a black coyote while deer hunting. It was a male, and weighed 55#. I'd heard there had been sightings of black coyote's in the area, but had never seen one before. It was very healthy looking, beautiful coat and tail. Question for the coyote hunters and trappers out there:How rare is a black coyote? I'm thinking of getting it mounted, or at least get the hide tanned into a rug."

I am not a hunter. When I fly fished, it was always "catch and release." I love wildlife. I love to be 20 to 50 feet from a Bear, or a Bobcat, or a Coyote. I would never think of killing one. I suspect that it is my "love" of wildlife that allows me to get close enough to get a good photo.  But, I must admit I don't understand killing something so rare, and so beautiful.