Desert Animals

I've lived most of my life in the Arizona Desert, a wonderful place for a rock hound to enjoy his hobby.

- BOB JONES

When spending a lot of time in the desert you are bound to come across the creatures who also call the desert their home. Many of them navigate by crawling. Such fascinating animals as snakes, Gila monsters, and an assortment of lizards are found afoot and are interesting to watch but should be avoided. Then there are the eight-legged creatures like black widows, brown recluses, and tarantulas to avoid. This latter arachnid is a true desert dweller. Assorted four-legged types like coyotes, pumas, bobcats, bears, deer and the rare coatimundi and jaguars who wander north are beautiful to see in the wild.

FINDING DEER

Evan and I were face-to-face with one of these handsome creatures while camping in the late fall on Mzatzal Peak. It was a chilly, foggy night and deadly still as we settled by our campfire after a day of hiking and digging at a nearby flowing snowmelt spring. In Arizona, any water is like a magnet to animals. It is the giver of life and the desert animals know every source.

While sitting by our campfire we heard rustling in the nearby brush. We knew bears were about because Evan and a fellow scout had camped in this same area before.

We flashed our lights and lit up a gorgeous, regal-looking male deer. His antlers were at least eight points. Neither of us carry a gun or shoot animals so we did not move as we watched him. He obviously sensed no danger so just turned away and strolled down toward the stream for his evening drink.

CALCITE-WILLEMITE COLLECTING