THE PERFECT CAMPSITE

Can you spot our truck? We are camped on BLM land, free of charge, in a very beautiful place on the border of Gila Box Riparian Area.

FOR BRADY

Hi Brady! Your Mom said you really liked cactus, so I thought I'd show you some interesting ones where we are now. This is an "Englemans Prickly Pear." The pads are really big, and the whole cactus plant is sometimes taller than I am! People and animals eat the "pads" and fruit, which is called "tuna." Isn't that wierd?
When there is a drought (lack of rain) the pads turn a pretty pinkish purple color.

It's really very pretty when it's pink.

I found one in the shape of a heart!

THE COATI

Paul spotted this Coati as he slipped through the underbrush.
What a cool looking animal! We've never seen one before.

His face reminded us of a badger.

I'm not sure how common they are here. We've not seen or heard them mentioned anywhere as being a common species to the area. We were really excited to see one.

RAPTORS

This Red Tailed Hawk has a nest on the cliff wall. He's yelling at us.

A Common (not to us!) Black Hawk soars over us.

A really striking, impressively large raptor.

GILA BOX LANDSCAPE

The landscape here, tho still a desert, is green and lovely.
The Bonita river runs through it.

So different, with water and cacti too!

It was great to hear the sound of running water again.

THE VERMILLION FLYCATCHER

Mom Vermillion Flycatcher is quite lovely, tho less striking than Dad.

In our first full day at Gila Box riparian area, we spotted a pair of Vermillion Flycatchers building a nest.

Here Dad has a nice juicy dragon fly, Mom quickly took it from him!

Coming in for a landing. Sooooo pretty!

Showing off for me.