Another of Becky’s contributions to Michael’s Nature Blog …
We didn’t have a lot of rain this summer — only about 6 inches so far this year — but there is water in Bear Creek, below Casitas de Gila Guesthouses, and that water is drawing in the wildlife.
Our neighbors and friends Bill and Dale have a game camera and are always delighted to share their “captures” with us and with our Casita guests. Presently the camera is set up in a dry wash near Bear Creek, and it seems to be a pretty good spot.
We know there are COATIMUNDI around. They are a very shy animal, so all we have ever managed to see is a tail hanging down below a tree branch. But this fella was drawn to the salt block and water bowl …
And so was another shy animal a few days later … a BOBCAT! We see their scat and often hear them calling at night, so we know they are always around, but we have only actually seen one a couple of times. This fella was also drawn to the salt block and water bowl …
A few weeks ago, while chatting with some guests in the afternoon outside Casita del Sol y la Luna, out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of some quail. We have lots of Gambel Quail here. Cute little birds with a wonderful plume on their heads. But my jaw dropped when I realized that these four little birds, with their distinctive markings, were Montezuma Quail! Described as “secretive”, these little birds quickly made their way down the cliff below the Casitas while I watched in absolute wonder. Seeing these elusive birds was the wildlife highlight of my 14 years in Gila, New Mexico. I have been watching for them ever since, but alas, haven’t seen them again. And no, I have no photo. Unlike many of our guests, I usually do not have a camera with me. But I did carry one around for a while! And I am still looking …
