Muleshoe Ranch, Jackson's Cabin, and the Galiuro Mountains

Yesterday was an "off-day" so I got up early and drove to Muleshoe Ranch in the Galiuro Mountains of Southern Arizona. I continued past the Visitor's Center on the 4x4 only road which extends 14 miles into the Galiuro Mountains ending up at Jackson's Cabin. The road is truly 4x4 only -- and requires a trail rated, high clearance vehicle with good off-road tires -- nerves of steel and a strong stomach. 

This is an area rich with history. In 1884, the first owner of Muleshoe Ranch, Dr. Glendy King, was killed in a land dispute by his neighbors. One of those neighbors, Ed Drew, was a champion rodeo rider for many years who was elected sheriff of Graham County. However, he was killed in a saloon gunfight in 1911. Ed's sister, Cora, was an exceptional horsewoman who was offered a job in Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show. Cora's mother, however, did not allow her 16 year daughter to accept.  The Ranch Foreman was  Johnny Boyett who in 1900 gunned down the 45 year old Warren Earp, (the youngest brother of Wyatt Earp).

The closest town is Willcox about 30 miles from the Visitor's Center at Muleshoe Ranch. The 14 mile "road" out to Jackson's Cabin from the Visitor's Center takes about 2 hours to drive. Back in the late 1800's it took two days on horseback to go from Jackson's Cabin to Willcox. 

In terms of Wildlife, the area has Mountain Lions, Black Bears, Desert Bighorn Sheep, Coatimundi, and three different Skunks.  However, yesterday I didn't come across any of them. I saw several Mule Deer and White Tailed Deer, and a variety of birds including Summer Tanager, Black Headed Grosbeak, Black Phoebe, and the omnipresent Gilded Flicker. And, as typical, a great many raptors were seen as well.

But, for my daily photo, I leave you with Jackson's Cabin:

Jackson's Cabin

Galiuro Mountains: Coatimundi

Today, a break from my "5" star series to share yesterday's trip to the Galiuro Mountains of Southern Arizona. The Galiuros are about 50 miles from us as the crow flies. (Well, we don't have crows in Southern Arizona, so as the Ravens fly). However to drive there it's about 90 miles and two hours time. Ten years ago when we first moved to Arizona I went there looking for Coatimundis (white-nosed coati). I would go four or five times a year seeing one or more almost every time. But, by 2006, they had all but disappeared. I might see one once a year. 

Yesterday, I didn't have to make breakfast so left early to try again. After three and a half hours of looking I spotted one on the ground through the trees. I immediately started taking photos, but after a quick look at me, he ran off. And, as he ran off coatis started running down the surrounding trees and off behind him. I would guess somewhere between 15 and 20 coatis in all. All this took place in no more than 20 seconds.

As I have explained he previous posts, the Wildlife Photographer has to be lucky. First, you have to find what you want to photograph, and second, it has to be willing to be photographed. Shooting through trees creates several problems: 1) it's dark so the lighting isn't very good; 2) trees and branches are in the way so you can't get clear photos of an entire animal; and 3) those trees, branches, leaves make it difficult to focus on the animal -- especially if the animal starts moving. 

As I was driving home, I was thinking that I probably did not have a single decent photo. However, that was not the case. The first photo I took was actually fairly good. So, here it is, the White-Nosed Coati.

P.S. Check out the length of his tail.  (click to enlarge)

Coatimundi

Antelope Jackrabbit at Muleshoe

Coatis like canyons, as do many animals of the desert since water is easier to come by there. Some canyons, like those in the Galiuros have pools of water even if water is not flowing. Coatis have been harder to find, though, over the past couple of years. The cause is unclear; maybe the drought has kept the number born to a minimum; maybe some disease has affected the population; maybe they have become more afraid of humans; maybe the mountain lion population has taken more. You still see coati tracks by the pools (along with deer, javelina, skunk, and occasional lion). I was hiking once with my daughter Ashley through Muleshoe hoping to find some coatis for her to see. No luck this time, but we did come across a very willing and quite beautiful Antelope Jackrabbit. I was able to photograph him from several angles as he seemed perfectly content eating the grasses. Every once in a while he would "pop" up for a portrait like this one. What is special about the Galiuros is there is always something to see. Maybe not what you came for, but it seems to always have a surprise or two.

Hooded Skunk

Still at Muleshoe in the Galiuros, I have come across hooded skunks (also striped skunks) on a number of occasions. Skunks are fun to photograph. First, because they are so beautiful. Forget what you think when the term "skunk" comes to mind, they are gorgeous like the hooded skunk in this photo. Second, they are very business oriented, constantly searching for ants, bugs, worms, etc. so, you can follow and photograph them as long as you don't get too close. I found out how close is too close, once. I didn't get sprayed, but the skunk "charged" me like a bear did -- once. They do what is called a "false" charge: two or three steps to let you know you are too close. I suspect skunks are a little reluctant to spray, because it could leave them defenseless. But, finding a skunk in the wilderness and being able to watch it for a while is as trilling as seeing a bear.