Desert Creatures The sun has barely come up. The desert trail is quiet. Then zoom, something darts across the path. Fast, crested, completely unbothered. That was a Greater Roadrunner. It runs at nearly 20 miles per hour, and yes, it can catch rattlesnakes.
The Gila Woodpecker You’ll hear this one before you see it: a loud, raspy call like a toy laser gun. The Gila Woodpecker drills into saguaro cacti to nest. When it moves out, elf owls, snakes and starlings move in. One bird, dozens of neighbors. The Desert Tortoise Slow, ancient and calm. Some tortoises live to 80 years old, meaning one crossing a trail today may have been walking these same paths when your grandparents were kids. May is one of the best months to spot one. If you do: look, but don’t touch! The desert looks empty only if you’re moving too fast to notice. This May, slow down, walk the trails early, and look closely. Before You Head Out Always go with a responsible adult. Go early, turn back if it gets too hot. Bring more water than you think you’ll need, wear a hat and sunscreen, and watch where you step. Never touch wildlife. Stick to marked trails, tell someone where you’re going, and know the signs of heat illness. Seek help immediately if someone feels unwell.
Here’s the thing about our desert: it is packed with incredible wildlife. You just have to know where and how to look. May is the perfect month, before the summer heat sends everyone indoors. So lace up, grab some water, and meet your wild neighbors. The Greater Roadrunner The desert’s most entertaining bird barely flies. It prefers to sprint. Catch it early on any desert trail, spreading its wings wide to warm up in the sun. Fast, fearless and a little ridiculous-looking. The Black-tailed Jackrabbit Those enormous ears aren’t just for hearing. Blood flows through them, the breeze cools it down, and cooler blood circulates back through the body. Built- in air conditioning. Find them in open areas at dawn, sitting perfectly still, absolutely convinced you can’t see them.
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6 Estrella Publishing - The Park magazine
May 2026
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