PARTING SHOTS OF GILA BOX

Red Tail Hawk giving Paul the eye.
Hooded Oriole, gorgeous!

Paul got these shots of a Black Hawk with an unfortunate frog. Now we know why he hangs out over the brook.

OUR BIRD LIST AT GILA BOX

Vermillion Flycatcher
Common Black Hawk
Doves:
White Winged and Ring Necked
Hummingbirds:
Black Chin
Rufous
Phainopepla
Red Tail Hawk
Common Black Hawk
Yellow Rump Warbler (western version)
Turkey Vulture
Turkey
Yellow Warbler
Cassin's Finch
Vireo
Painted Redstart
Gila Woodpecker
Black Tailed Gnatcatcher
Flycatcher (not sure which type)
Swallows (at least two species)
Raven
Cardinal
Black and White Warbler
Black Phoebe
Hooded Oriole
Canyon Wren
an owl hooting: no idea what species

There were many more species we couldn't get close enough to identify. Really good birding here.

CRITTER LIST:
Coatimundis
Coyotes
Rock Squirrel
Ground Squirrel
Gray Squirrel
Jackrabbit
Bats
Horned Lizards
multiple other lizards

COATIMUNDIS: UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

Wow, what a day! Coatimundis everywhere! I parked myself up a large fallen cottonwood tree over a brook, and this curious guy climbed up to look at me!!!!
I wonder how well they can see??? He had to get awfully close to me, and still seemed unsure of himself.

A balancing act: all four feet on a rock!

Standing up to get a better look. This one had a very pretty face.

Seven in one photo. I was so psyched!

Paradise Valley

Just had to stop and photograph this swallowtail on a large thistle bloom.

Then another one landed!!

THE COATIMUNDI ADVENTURE

This evening in Paradise Valley, the Coatis made an appearance.....
First there were 4, then 8, then 15......20.....23....I'm not kidding, it was totally amazing!!!!!! This large group kept materializing and going across the road in front of us in groups of 3-5 animals.

More crossing the road!!

I'm guessing this big guy was the sentry. He growled and huffed at us.

Big fellow checking us out!

Love that face.

Paul did all the photography. I had brought Bella along for the ride, and sat by the side of the road with her in my lap as the Coatis paraded by. Bella was totally fascinated, but didn't even make a peep. Amazing!

GILA BOX SUNSET

Wow, oh wow. After a fabulous day in (what I call Paradise Valley) we returned to the motorhome while viewing this sunset all the way.

Silhouetted Ocotillo Cactus

A REALLY CUTE GUY (OR GIRL)

This little fellow made my day. He is very tiny , perhaps 1.5 inches long and half an inch wide. It's a type of horned lizard, and I found him right beside our motorhome! I asked about them at the BLM office in Safford. The biologist there said he was likely full grown. I had no idea they could be so tiny. Wish I had thought to put a dime near him. His head is smaller than a dime!
What a face!!

GILA BOX TREASURES

A glimpse of Paradise Valley beauty.
Paul catches this hawk flying down the road in front of us!

A really wierd cactus. (no id as yet)

Isn't this a cool "mirrored" image of two identical butterflies on opposite sides of a twig?

Beautiful Pipeline Swallowtail, side view
I call this Paradise Valley

Large orange dragonfly

I'm awestruck at the wonders all around me!

Red tailed hawk and cliff, silhouetted .

Rock Squirrel

Red tailed hawk in flight, backlit

Red tail again, interesting sky

Pipeline Swallowtail showing blue inside wings

Pretty pink fuzzy plant (OK, I don't know what it is)

Here is Paul, relaxing in a beautiful spot along the river.

Looking down over the river

Beaver dams have flooded the trails, but who cares? It's gorgeous!

Poppy? along the river's edge.

Gila River

Need to ID some flowers....

and butterflies..... I thought this one was fabulous.