Oh the Creatures You Will See....

Before we started our Volunteer engagement here at Big Bend, we had been sent a packet of brochures, books and information to help us learn about the park before we arrived.  Over the months prior to our arrival, I devoured the information, anxious to know what was in store for us in West Texas and Big Bend Country. It was overwhelming and also exciting to think about all that we would encounter.

After spending 12 days here, I now know that brochures and booklets only tell half the story. To really feel the heart of Big Bend, you need to experience it first hand. Feel and smell the dry desert air. Get pricked by a cactus. Be startled by a Javalina (Collared Peccary, looks a bit like a furry pig), a long-eared Black-tailed Jack Rabbit, or hopping cotton-tail during an early morning walk.

You need to accustom yourself to the taste of dust in your mouth (and every other pore, crevice and pocket), and wearing a hat like a second skin to protect you from the hot desert sun. You marvel at the speed of a snake as it races across the road (if it's pinkish-red it's likely a Western Coach whip), and keep your eyes pealed to the road ahead for those fast moving Great Roadrunners or the slower moving Tarantulas that you want to avoid running over.

Of course there are all types and sizes of our lizard friends, and we see them often on rocks, roads and trails. Sometimes they are easiest to find if you look in the mouth of a Roadrunner! Twice over the past few days we have come across a Roadrunner on a trail, enjoying a nice "lizard lunch". At all times be on the lookout for the elusive Mountain Lion (haven't seen one yet but we are told that they have probably seen us!).

And if you are really lucky, like we were just a few evenings ago - you will get to watch in awe as a momma bear and her cubs take their time sauntering across the road as they take their early evening stroll. There are still countless animals we have yet to see - both mammals & reptiles alike - but we've made pretty good progress thus far.  One thing we need to improve on, though, is being quicker with the camera when encountering wild life! I'm often so excited to see the animal, that by the time we get the cell phone out, it's long gone (or skittering away down the trail laughing at us slow humans).  We did manage to get a good shot of the bears, though. And a few other easier shots. 

Adult female and three cubs sighted 3 days ago

Wolf Spider Crawling on a rack in the visitor center (NOT poisonous)

Ranger leading pack burros to a trail (this one was easy to get!)