Flora and Fauna of The Azure Gate Bed and Breakfast: Black Tail Jackrabbit

We have an abundance of Desert Cottontails and an occasional Black Tail Jackrabbit. But in April and May the Jackrabbit is here most every day to eat the mesquite pods from our many mesquite trees:

Black Tail Jackrabbit

Black Tail Jackrabbit - II

As I mentioned yesterday, Black Tail Jackrabbits visit us late in the Spring to eat mesquite pods that have fallen to the ground from our mesquite trees. They do the same in Saguaro National Park. However, once those mesquite pods have been eaten the jackrabbits will stand on their hind legs, reach up, and eat those pods still on the lower branches of the mesquites. Early one morning as Christine and I were hiking in SNP we can across four Black Tail Jackrabbits doing just that. Here's one of those photos that I rated "5" Star:

Black Tail Jackrabbit

Black Tail Jackrabbit

Christine and I hike in Saguaro National Park often. Early morning or late afternoon provide the best opportunity to see and photograph wildlife, especially. the Black Tail Jackrabbit. It does not hibernate so can be found year round. It grows to a length of about 24 inches and a weight of about 6 pounds so if it is around it is easily seen.  His range is very small -- up to one square mile. We often see him here at The Azure Gate in the late spring when the mesquite tree pods fall to the ground. Like many other animals they often run away when they see humans. However, sometimes -- with patience and with slow and quiet movement they are approachable and a nice photo can be taken. Such is the case with today' "5" Star photo:

Black Tail Jackrabbit

Photo Trip

I started out at 3:15 (am) so that I would get to Sells, Arizona just at dawn (4:45). I have often seen Crested Caracaras between Sells and Why (another small Arizona town) so I was hoping this time would be no different. Although I did see one, it was flying in my direction and I didn't have a chance for a photo. However, I did manage to get a "Sonoran Sunrise" that I liked in the littler town of Quijotoa:

From Why, I turned south and headed into Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument which is just north of the US/Mexico border. The 21 mile drive up around and into the Ajo Mountains is one of my favorite drives in Arizona. Although there are Desert Bighorn Sheep in the Ajo's I have never found them. This time no exception either. But, again found some scenery and some wildlife to photograph:

Organ Pipe Cactus

Organ Pipe Cactus with Blossom

Organ Pipe Cactus with Fruit

An unusual Saguaro with Fruit

Red Tailed Hawk

Harris Antelope Ground Squirrel

Black Tailed Jackrabbit

From Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument I headed up to Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. Most of Cabeza Prieta is closed from March 15th to July 15th during Sonoran Pronghorn Fawning. Sonoran Pronghorn are endangered -- only a few hundred left so the Refuge has been set aside primarily for them. There are also Desert Bighorn Sheep on the Refuge, but not where they can be seen during closure. I still like the drive through the part that is open.

Tomorrow, the Big News! Imperial National Wildlife Refuge along the Colorado River. Lots of exciting stories to tell.

Saguaro National Park

I awoke this morning as I usually do around 4:45. Realizing that I didn't have to make breakfast for anyone I thought I would go to Saguaro National Park just at sunrise. SNP is about five minutes from us. I expected to see some Black Tailed Jackrabbits, and they didn't disappoint. Got some other nice photos as well:

Black Tail Jackrabbits facing off

Black Tail Jackrabbit reaching for Mesquite flowers

Black Tail Jackrabbit staring me down

Black Tail Jackrabbit hiding -- well he thinks he is

Raven eating the flowers of a Saguaro

Swainson's Hawk chicks in nest of Saguaro

Brown Crested Flycatcher

Gambels Quail eating Saguaro Flowers

Curved Bill Thrasher standing on a Saguaro Flower yet to Bloom

Teddy Bear Cholla in the Morning Sun

National Wildlife Refuges

Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona, 1941

The Colorado River and associated backwater lakes and wetlands of Imperial National Wildlife Refuge are a green oasis, contrasting with the surrounding desert mountains. Consisting of over 26,000 acres, Imperial National Wildlife Refuge protects wildlife habitat along 30 miles of the lower Colorado River in Arizona and California, including the last unchannelized section before the river enters Mexico.

Imperial National Wildlife Refuge also contains more than 15,000 acres of federally designated wilderness. Wilderness is protected to ensure that nature, not people is the primary influence on this quiet, scenic place.

In addition to the Visitor Center, Imperial National Wildlife Refuge provides opportunities to hike, fish, hunt, and watch wildlife. While the bird species list has 271 species, it is the Desert Bighorn Sheep and Feral Burros that keep me coming back. There is one road that runs through the Refuge which soon becomes 4x4 only as it enters a corner of the Yuma Proving Ground, and then 4x4 high clearance only when it enters private land, and finally 4x4 high clearance nerves of steel only as it approaches the moon. (Okay slight exaggeration). You do have to drive through some very sandy washes as well as steep rocky hills and cliffs.

Below are a few of the photos I've taken there: 

Ash Throated Flycatcher

Black Tail Jackrabbit

Desert Bighorn Sheep on Mountain Top

Desert Bighorn Sheep 

Desert Bighorn Rams

Feral Burros

Feral Burro Family

Feral Burro with a look of the terrain

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Lake Cochise

June is the hottest month of the year in Tucson and we don't get a lot of guests. So, off I went at 4:30 this morning. Unfortunately, Arizona has several fires going right now and most of the mountain ranges are closed. That being the case I headed out to Lake Cochise, Whitewater Draw, and Ash Canyon. Lake Cochise is near the town of Willcox in Southeast Arizona. It is the last town before heading East to the Chiricahuas  or North to the Galiuros. The town itself always seems deserted -- a great many closed and boarded up buildings, motels, etc. Willcox is famous for some produce, especially its tomatoes. Lake Cochise is just outside of town heading to Chiricahua National Monument. The lake is hard to predict, though -- especially in the summer. But I found some American Avocets, a couple of Black Necked Stilts, Killdeer, White Faced Ibis, Scaled Quail, and a couple of Black Tail Jackrabbits. 

American Avocets

White Faced Ibis

Scaled Quail

Black Tailed Jackrabbit

Imperial National Wildlife Refuge: Odds and Ends

Finally, a few miscellaneous odds and ends. I went to Imperial NWR looking for Wild Burros and Desert Bighorn Sheep. And, I was totally focused in doing just that. Although known for its waterbirds, I spent NO TIME in or even around the water. Most of my time was spent in the mountains or on the ledges. I guess having spent 18 years in the Northwest US and Canada, I have done more than my share of photographing water birds. Won't find any Wild Burros or Desert Bighorn Sheep up there, so ....

The closest I came was the Great Tail Grackle (last photo below) I photographed from one of the edges looking down into one of the ponds off the Colorado River. Other than the Grackle, here are a Black Tailed Jackrabbit, Canyon Lizard, and Ash Throated Flycatcher taken while searching for the Burros and Sheep:

Black Tail Jackrabbit

Canyon Lizard

Ash Throated Flycatcher

Great Tailed Grackle

More Javelinas

Sometimes there are slow days; days when I have to reach back in time to pull out a photo. Other days, the hits just don't stop coming. So I haven't finished with Imperial National Wildlife Refuge and the Desert Bighorn Sheep. Yesterday afternoon the Javelinas came by again -- about 20 of them. They hung around for a couple of hours, making beds, taking naps, cleaning each other. At 5:30 this morning Christine and I went for a hike in Saguaro National Park. There were Jackrabbits everywhere. So, today let me show you two photos from yesterday's Javelina visit, and then a couple photos of the Jackrabbits. Then, unless a Mountain Lion comes by, tomorrow I'll get back to the Bighorns.

Javelina with young piglet

This photo is taken from my office looking out the front door. I suspect we are a sure water hole for them.

Black Tail Jackrabbit cleaning himself.

Antelope Jackrabbit giving me "the stare."

Still Miller Canyon

Part of my reason for hiking up Miller Canyon was to find the Spotted Owls that I have seen before in the canyon. No luck this time, though. Another reason was that if I got up high enough I might find a Black Bear. And, although I did get high enough, no luck with that either. I have estimated my North American "bear" encounters at between 350 and 400, with nearly 100 decent photos of different Black Bears, and 20 different Grizzly Bears. (you can search my blog for some of those photos). But, it has been a year and a half since I have seen a bear in the wild. I miss that. Arizona does not have a high population of bears, but there are some in all of our southern mountain ranges.  They are just hard to find. I have had more luck in northern Arizona (the mother and two cubs I photographed a year and a half ago). Arizona does have a high population of lizards -- and jackrabbits. Those I did see on this latest excursion. So that is what I have today. First, a Collard Lizard, and then a Black Tail Jackrabbit:

Collard Lizard

Black Tail Jackrabbit

Saguaro National Park Revisited

With Saguaro National Park so close to us, it is a favorite spot when we don't have much time. Yesterday, we only had a "continental" breakfast at 6:45 so by 7:30 we were out the door and on our way. Early morning is prime time for wildlife viewing. We took the seldom used "Shantz Trail" where we often see jackrabbits, coyotes, or deer. Yesterday, it was jackrabbits; both the Antelope Jackrabbit and the Black Tail Jackrabbit. I will start with the Black Tail Jackrabbit today. As you can see from the first photo, there is a short black tail. This is the most distinguishing characteristic in identifying the Black Tail from the Antelope Jackrabbit. Both are approximately the same size: two feet in length and up to six pounds. The Antelope is slightly larger, but in the wild not enough to distinguish. Black Tails do not hibernate in the winter. They remain in their home territory of about 1 square mile. They are prime prey for eagles, hawks, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and mountain lions. In the second photo you will see how willing he was to "sit" for me. Once he got comfortable with us standing there watching him, he decided to continue eating. So, in the third photo, there he is eating prickly pear cactus, pulling and tugging on the prickly pear pad between its long, sharp, thorns.

Rabbits

On now to some of the rabbits found in the Southwest: We have two jackrabbits, the Antelope and the Black Tail. First, the Antelope Jackrabbit. The Antelope Jackrabbit is found in Arizona and Northern Mexico. It has a body length that ranges from 18 to 24 inches long. Its tail will grow to lengths of 1 to 4 inches long.  Its front legs grow 4 to 8 inches while their back legs grow from 8 to 12 inches long. The legs are where the Antelope Jackrabbit gets its name, after the fast, leaping antelopes of Africa. The Antelope Jackrabbit's ears grow to be 2 to 8 inches when fully grown. The ears of the Antelope Jackrabbit are not only used to hear but are also used to reduce and regulate body heat for survival in the hot conditions they live in. We don't see as many Antelope Jackrabbits as we do Black Tail Jackrabbits.

Antelope Jackrabbit

photo taken in the Galiuro Mountains

The Black Tail Jackrabbit, also known as the Desert Hare, is a common to the Western United States and Mexico. It has adapted to elevations from sea level to up to 10,000 feet. Like the Antelope Jackrabbit the Black Tail has distinctive long ears, and the long, powerful rear legs characteristic of hares. Reaching a length of about 2 feet, and a weight from 3 to 6 pounds, the Black Tail Jackrabbit is not quite as large as the Antelope Jackrabbit.  The ears are black-tipped on the outer surface, and unpigmented inside. The Black Tail Jackrabbit loves mesquite pods. (Well as do the Harris Antelope and Round Tailed Ground Squirrels). But, we can count on seeing the Black Tail when the pods drop in July/August.

Black Tail Jackrabbit

photo taken at The Azure Gate

The Desert Cottontail is found throughout the western United States and Mexico. It is found at elevations of up to 6000 feet. It likes the dry near-desert grasslands of the American southwest, though it is also found in less arid habitats such as pinyon-juniper forest. The Desert Cottontail is quite similar in appearance to the European Rabbit though its ears are larger and are more often carried erect. It is also much less of a social animal, and makes much less use of burrows. Like all the cottontail rabbits, the Desert Cottontail has a rounded tail with white fur on the underside which is visible as it runs away. Adults are 13 to 17 inches long and weigh up to 3.3 lb. The ears are 3.1 to 3.9 inches long. The hind feet while large (about 3.0 inches in length) aren't nearly as large as the Jackrabbits.  The females tend to be larger than the males. The female's "home range" is about one acre, while the males "home range" is about 20 acres. The Desert Cottontail is not usually active in the middle of the day, but it can be seen in the early morning or late afternoon. It eats grass, but will eat many other plants, even cacti. Although it rarely needs to drink, getting its water mostly from the plants it eats or from dew. However, in the hot summer days of Southern Arizona, it comes to our water bowls frequently. Many desert animals prey on cottontails, including hawks, bobcats, and coyotes. The cottontail's normal anti-predator behavior is running away in zig zag motion; it can reach speeds of 19 mph. Against small predators it will defend itself by kicking. The young are born in a shallow burrow or above ground, but they are helpless when born, and do not leave the nest until they are three weeks old. Where climate and food supply permit, females can produce several litters a year. Unlike the European Rabbit, they do not form social burrow systems.The Desert Cottontail is the rabbit that we see the most of. At any one time there may be as many as 50 on our property. Early morning or early evening there maybe 8 right outside my office eating from underneath a big mesquite tree. 

Desert Cottontail

photo taken at The Azure Gate

The Mountain Cottontail is a little larger than the Desert Cottontail. Hind legs are long; the feet are densely covered with long hair. Ears are rounded at the tips and relatively short; the inner surfaces are noticeably haired. It has pale brown fur on the back, a distinct pale brown nape on the back of the head, black-tipped ears, a white gray tail, and a white underside. The Mountain Cottontail is confined to the inter mountain area of North America. It ranges from just above the Canadian border south to Arizona and New Mexico, and from the foothills of the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains and west to the eastern slopes of the Cascade-Sierra Nevada RangeMountain.  Like the Desert Cottontail its diet is primarily grasses, but will eat other vegetation as well. As food source becomes more limited in the winter months the diet may turn to more woody plants, bark, and twigs. They are typically inactive during the day. They are not a social species and spend the largest quantity of time solitary. The most common social behavior seen is during reproductive actions or courting. 

Mountain Cottontail

photo taken in the Galiuro Mountains