BBBB Wash

I went on the guided hike the naturalists do on Wednesdays. They take up to 16 people on a two hour hike through a wash called the B wash. The B stands for bees, bats, burrows (holes) and wild burros (donkeys). In the center of the picture just above and a little left of the dark hole is a smaller hole. If you look at the smaller hole closely it looks like a mouth with long teeth hanging down inside it. It is actually a beehive and the "teeth" are the honey combs.

Of course the beehive is owned by killer bees. There are no native bees left in Arizona. They have all been hybridized with the African strain. They make great honey and the bee keepers have all learned how to deal with these more aggressive bees. If you are out in the wild and come upon a hive get away from it quickly. The only time they will attack is to defend their hive and you have to get fairly close to it for them to get aggresive. There were several hives in this cliff wall and they were far enough up from the bottom of the wash that we didn't have to worry. Although there were a few bees flying around us and we were told not to swat at them. It could rile them up.

We saw bat caves and burro trails and lots of burrows. Most desert critters take shelter in some kind of hole in the dirt. We also got to see antlions. They are very small insects that actually dig sand traps. They wait at the bottom of their trap for their prey - ants.

Life on the Refuge

Hooray, we can show pictures again. We finally broke down and bought a Verizon MIFI system so we have internet service. The only way we were getting online since moving to the refuge was when we ran to town or to the local bar and used their wifi -- and that wasn't working out! Of course its another monthly bill but at least we can suspend the service when we don't need it.

Otherwise life on the refuge is very nice. We've been hiking the trails and taking a refuge owned truck out exploring more of the Imperial and Kofa Wildlife Refuge. Our 5th wheel is parked so we have a view of the Colorado River valley. We can't actually see the river from where we sit -- maybe if we were a little higher. We work with really nice people and the three days of work zip by. We managed to get the boat out on the water but going up the river was a huge challenge. The river is so low there a lots of sandbars to get hung up on so we finally had to turn back.

We are seeing lots of mule deer. They come pretty close to our rv's. We've seen coyotes trot by on their way to the river for a drink. We have also spotted some of the wild burros but haven't spotted a desert bighorn sheep yet!

Beautiful Sky

Sorry, no picture of the beautiful sky. I'll have to try again when I have a better WIFI signal. The sunset at our new winter home in the Imperial National Wildlife was spectacular one night. We have a great view over the Colorado River valley although we can't actually see the river from our RV space. We've had our orientation to the place and have started working. So far its very interesting and we are learning a lot about the lower Colorado river's flora and fauna.

We are hoping to get our boat in the water soon and take a cruise on the river but you need to be very careful because the water level fluctuates a lot even from morning til night in the same day. Jim has been able to get out and do some great hikes in the refuge while picking up litter. I'm working in the visitor center talking to people that stop in and showing them all the displays and brochures etc. we have.

Hopefully, I will get to load some pictures next time!