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.

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.