Arizona Waterhole

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Bobcat, Desert Photo Retreat, Arizona.

So Sunday evening it became apparent that water source to my waterhole at the Desert Photo Retreat had completely stopped working. Since the wildlife relies on this water during the hotter months, I couldn’t leave them without water, so I crabbed some airline miles and made a quick round trip to Tucson this week to get everything back up and running.

Javelina Water Hole

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Javelina, Desert Photo Retreat, Tucson, Arizona.

The javelina are funny. They quickly learn that water will come out of the ground at 9:00 p.m. each night into my water catchment basin – about 4 to 6 gallons a night pour into it from a tank I have onsite. The first photo was taken at 8:42. It isn’t uncommon for them to show up a little early and lay around and wait. The second photo is them all drinking at 9:01. After the water comes out, the javelina typically hang around for another hour or two or even more to enjoy the mud. However, within 5 to 10 minutes of their departure, other animals such as the fox, bobcat or skunks arrive. Clearly they are laying in wait in the shadows for an opportunity to come in for a drink.

Javelina

Mountain Lions

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Mountain Lions

It is always fun to check the trail cameras I leave set up over the summer at our Desert Photo Retreat. Every year the activity gets better and better, and this year was no exception! I had more mountain lion visits this past summer than all my other years combined! I can’t wait to get back and set up my camera trapping gear.

Gila Monster

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Gila monster, Desert Photo Retreat, Arizona.

A gila monster at the waterhole today. This is the second one here in three days. It has been busy as we pack things up, hard to to have the camera out. Lot of migrant birds, and the Harris’s hawks now have a nearby nest!

Cardinal evening

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A cardinal at the Desert Photo Retreat, Tucson, Arizona.

Last night at the lower blind. We had lazuli bunting and black headed grosbeak here the last couple of days, however, they didn’t come to this perch. But and bright red cardinal is a nice consolation!