Since our yard is not fenced, backs up to a wash, and is in close proximity to a state preserve, we get lots of critters.
Some are more accommodating about getting their pictures taken. Others are less agreeable so stealth is the word if you want their photo.
Lucky for us, we get a great variety of animals and birds, although the only food that is ever put out is bird seed. We have no intention of becoming the local food joint for wild animals. It is just our luck that so many interesting critters like to come and visit for a while.
For the record, Javalina are NOT wild pigs.
We get a lot of these guys in our yard periodically. They root around, occasionally tear up something they think is tasty, and then move along to another grazing spot.
Although we do not feed them other people do and they have no fear of humans. On many occasions I have been working in the yard and suddenly realize I am surrounded by a Javalina family (they are really, really quiet) looking for food because some stupid person has been feeding them and now they think any human is a walking restaurant. I even had one poke me in the bottom.
Although they have been known to attack (usually a defensive of babies) my encounters have only been startling.
Just one of the herds that we get around our yard
Relaxed and feeling right at home. We do not see this very often
I would like to say he posed but he really just stopped to sniff around
As you can see, they use our patio as their walkway. The babies are so cute
Our evening visitors
Rooting around the tree at night
A fair sized family with babies
Zoomed in on some babies
I named him Jorge. He was injured and stayed around the yard for about 6 weeks
We did an elaborate ritual to avoid each other. I'd yell I'm coming and he'd hide
That was his favorite spot, unless he bedded down in the Verde tree for the night
Cottontail Rabbits - we are lousy with them. They run around in large numbers chasing each other, nibbling on plants, lying in holes to cool off, and generally being very entertaining.
One of our little cotton-tailed friends
Relaxed in a damp hole he dug
There are a lot of these face offs, followed by chasing, hopping and more face offs
We call this a pelting bunny. Sometimes they dig in so deep you only see the head
All it needs is a chaise lounge
Bunnies and quail are often together looking for seeds
Coyotes are numerous around here, but very fast.
Usually they have trotted past before we can even move for a camera.
We do hear them making a racket at night in the wash behind our house, but they have also been right outside our bedroom patio door when they all let loose in a rousing chorus of yelps and howls.
After we peel ourselves off the ceiling we ask them to leave, but they just loll their tongues out and laugh at us.
Quick shot of one in the early morning
Yes, it is a mangy coyote
He came around several times that autumn
An evening stroller. Yes, I know it looks a lot like the morning one, but it is not.
This guy came through with several of his pack mates very interested in our rabbitts
We are now the proud hosts of bobcats. They started showing up over a year ago and we watch them sauntering across the yard on a regular basis. They are quite bold and have no real fear of us, but we keep a nice distance from them when they pass us in the yard. Usually they give us a bored look and continue on their way.
Outside the kitchen window
One of their favorite spots.
Quite relaxed - of course we are shooting from inside the kitchen
Showing off the white spots on her ears
This one is skulking along his favorite route
Sitting pretty in the front yard
Totally unconcerned about having her picture taken
Always nice to see the bobcat likes visiting - from a distance of course
Our latest resident is a Rock Squirrel. Well, actually more than one, but it is rare to catch them together.
These guys are good sized, unlike our little round-tailed ground squirrels, and a lot of fun to watch.
There are good and bad things about having rock squirrels around. On the good side they can eat rattlesnakes. On the bad side they can undermine patios, decks, homes and historic sites in the desert.
These guys can really dig.
He cracks me up. He comes running from the yard and then belly dives onto the patio
He liked it under the planter - a little damp and shady
Here he goes up the bird feeder pole
Just a little more
Getting there
Success. Now I can eat
The descent is not that graceful, but he gets down
Bats are a favorite of mine. I am by no means an expert but I do have a good friend who is. Thanks to her I have been on a few bat counts and managed to snap a few photos of the little critters as they're flying out to look for food.
Here I am doing a count with the clicker and the infra lens camera up in Tombstone
Before the count started we went up into the Courthouse attic and saw these Big Brown Bats.
Zoom in and you can see the little guy up in the socket on the left side. Really cute
Some Townsend Big Ear Bats up in the Tombstone Courthouse
A little California Myotis from a bat count in Valentine
Cute little Cave Myotis, again in Valentine
The flood tunnel near Camelback Mountain is a great spot to count Mexican Free Tails
We managed to snap one of the little guys flying out while we're in the canal tunnel
There are a few more flying out. These guys eat tons of bugs each night and are a farmers
Yes, I know it looks like a chipmunk that someone stapled a fuzzy tail on but it is a squirrel.
I know it was named after Ed Harris, a naturalist and scientist who accompanied Audobon on several expeditions, but why antelope I have no idea.
My guess is because they move so fast, and I do mean fast.
I have added a video of the little guys just for pure enjoyment.
One or more will come running up at full speed then flatten out. We figure the deck is cool on their tummies
This stance always reminds me of prairie dogs on look out except this guy is a whole lot thinner.