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April #conservationlands15 Bucketlist: Gila Lower Box Canyon WSA, New Mexico
The Wilderness Study Area encompassing the Gila Lower Box Canyon is a true oasis in the desert in southwest New Mexico. A lush thicket of cottonwood, willows, and other riparian vegetation line the banks of the river. Wildflowers abound in wet years and include vibrant fields of orange poppies that peak in March and April depending on the year.
The area provides some of the best birding in New Mexico. Home to approximately 200 species, it has one of the highest bird diversities in the state. The area provides habitat to many rare and unusual birds including Bell’s vireo, peregrine, bald eagle (in winter), golden eagle, black hawk, zone-tail hawk, Grey hawk, yellow-billed cuckoo, Gila wood pecker, and Abert’s towhee.
The river provides opportunities for canoeing or rafting during years of high spring runoff, but flows are normally better suited to tubing and to shore-based activities such as fishing for small mouth bass and several species of catfish.
Photo by Mike Howard, BLM.
As we were walking around the pool, I couldn't help but notice how crystal clear the water was in the ocean. That's when I saw this very interesting creature. If you look carefully in the center of the photo, you will see him. It looks like some kind of semi transparent eel. Does anyone know what it is?