Training and Field Trips

Weather station in the desert. 

We are questioning Ranger Ken about the area.

The corral and loading dock of the ranch.  This land was used for ranching from 1916 to 1977 if I have my dates correct.

This ranch house is a bit small for my taste and it was used in the 1970's

Canyon view from the trail

The desert floor start into Alamo Canyon. 

We have been in our second week of training.  Yesterday we had a talk about reptiles and the indangered Sonoran Pronghorn project and we went out with rangers seeing one of the weather stations in the park.  Today we took a guided trip to Alamo Canyon and an old ranch there.  I failed to take pictures the last time John and I were there so I have some today.  Tomorrow is our last training day and we are starting research for talks.  John picked the Pronghorn for a talk before he knew about the release project and I am painting so I picked the Ajo Mountains and Bull Pasture.  What's the "bull" about Bull Pasture is my talks name.  On the Ajo Mountains there is a a shape like a longhorn steer head complete with horns and skull eyes which has a high pasture at its base.  We hiked a few weeks ago and missed the summit to the pasture. It has history associated with ranching and Poncho Villa.   Next week John is going to help with the pronghorn project - captive animals they are releasing.  Several years ago the Sonoran Pronghorn population was at about 22 animals in ORPI, the only place these animals exist in the US.  Now the population is in the 100's because of a captive breeding program.  They are releasing animals back into the wild with the help of volunteers, including John.  I will help in the visitor center to cover the many helping out with the project.  Vets, helicopters, and plain old physical dirty work is required to release.  We will see if he comes home sore, wet, and limping.