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

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.

Young coati at Muleshoe

Our oldest son, Matt lives in Hawaii with his lovely wife, Rung (who is from Bangkok). We don't see them nearly as often as we would like, but several years ago just after they were married we took them on a wildlife photo trip into British Columbia and Alberta. As it turned out Rung was quite a "wildlife spotter." I remember once we were driving along and I heard this sweet soft voice from the back seat saying "I think that was a bear." So, we backed up and to my surprise (because I am the "expert" and I missed it) was a black bear standing up looking at us. Well, two years ago they came here to Tucson and we took a little trip into the Galiuro Mountains and Muleshoe Ranch. Once again she was the one who spotted a family of coatis. This little guy was most curious and posed for me for several minutes. A wonderful experience thanks to Rung. I do love the Galiuros --- Rung, too.

Muleshoe Ranch, Arizona

I first went looking for coatimundi in October, 2002. I was hiking up Hot Springs wash when I heard a sound in a nearby tree. This wasn't wind, nor was it birds, it was animal. Didn't sound like a black bear, so maybe .... I looked into the tree and saw a pair of huge eyes staring at me. Could it be? Yes, a coatimundi! As I climbed out of the wash he "flew" down the tree and ran off, but then came a second running down the tree, and a third, and a fourth, and a fifth ..... I counted 15 in all, but could have been off one or two. It was deep in the woods, poor lighting, the wrong lens, they were moving pretty fast and it was over all too quickly. I stood there helplessly hoping a photo might turn out. But no, they were indeed blurs. On the positive, it verified that coatis were around and with persistence I might find another. About an hour or so later I found this little guy sound asleep in a nearby tree, so I didn't go home empty handed. I had proof that I had found the elusive coatimundi.

Coatimundi at Muleshoe Ranch, Arizona

One of my favorite day trips is to Muleshoe Ranch in the Galiuro Mountains, near Willcox, Arizona. Muleshoe Ranch is a cooperative wilderness area jointly owned by Muleshoe Ranch, the Nature Conservancy, and the BLM. There is 30 miles of gravel road to get to the small visitor's center and then 14 more miles (four wheel drive only) to get to Jackson's Cabin. This 14 mile stretch for which you must sign in and out to enter is as rough as any back road you might ever encounter. The payoff is beautiful mountains, valleys, and canyons with bighorn sheep, black bear, mountain lions, and lots else. I should add that I rarely ever see any human beings whether I am hiking in this area or even driving up to the cabin. What I have found and photographed are bobcats, javelinas, mule deer, white tail deer, gila monsters, hooded skunk, stripped skunk, antelope jackrabbits, lots of birds, lots of butterflies, and my favorite: the coatimundi -- or, coati for short. Coatis are playful and curious little animals a little bigger than a raccoon. Story One: I was hiking along hot springs wash checking out the cottonwood groves on either side of the wash. The coatis can be in the trees or scrounging around the ground for ants or insects. Eventually I reached a grove where I had seen coatis before. Not seeing any, I thought this would make a lovely place for my lunch, anyway. So, I am sitting on a log eating a sandwich when I hear some noise behind me. I turn around and 15 feet from me is the coati as he is in the above photo. I never knew whether he was in the tree and was coming down -- or, he was just arriving and wanted to go up the tree. None the less, he and I looked at each other for a couple of minutes after which he decided to depart. It's one of my favorite photos.