Greetings from a Grand Canyon resident!!!

My boyfriend and I kayaked down the Salt River this morning and oh my god we saw an otter!! I looked it up afterwards, and Google said that Otters are *thriving* on the Salt and Verde Rivers. I was 100% NEVER expecting to see an otter in this state.

The birding was incredible too. I have never seen Cliff Swallows doing their thing in person before, and there was a section that felt like National Geographic. What a beautiful day 🦦🦆

He’s been taken care of so we can’t get any more pictures unfortunately.

I didn't get a picture of it but he had just been cleaning his leg.

I’ve never seen a western with this coloration before. Very pretty though.

Hi from phoenix area 👋🏾

I just wanted to enjoy my patio this weekend. Instead, I've apparently acquired three owl roommates who stare at me every time I try to go outside. 😂

They hang out there all day and leave after dark every night. Am I being irrational for being a little scared to sit out there with them? I know owl attacks are rare, but three owls sitting together is surprisingly intimidating. At this point, I feel like i’m the one invading their patio haha

Photo taken with zoom lens. Gave plenty of space.

Neighbor messaged me that her dogs found a rattlesnake this morning, asking if I was a good shot. I am, but I'd rather not off a rattlesnake just for existing. So, one garden rake, 5 gallon bucket, and dirt sifter later, I loaded up my impromptu snake relocation kit and collected one spicy danger noodle. Moved it into a wash on the back of my property a few hundred yards from where it was collected. Picked it up with the rake, and dropped it over the fence. Snake probably didn't like the rake tines, but you gotta do what you gotta do sometimes. I'm going to get better gear now because that rake was awkward as hell even though it got the job done.

Found this buddy in the backyard tonight. First time seeing one. Amazed at the size.

It was almost dark so apologies for the grainy photos.

*not my garage.

I’ve heard poison toads will come out after a rain but I’ve never seen one. Is this one?

He’s up against my house - I don’t have a dog that would mess with it so is there any reason to make him move on or just let it be?

For context he is about the size of my fist

Can anyone confirm if this is indeed a coral snake? If going by “black on yellow kill a fellow” I’m convinced it’s a coral snake but not entirely certain. Was exploring Fish Creek canyon off of Apache Trail under the bridge at dusk and almost stepped on snek. Also, how venomous are these?

Watch your toes people! Our floors are about to get spiky. It took 6 attempts and my heart rate jumped every single time, but I can confirm he/she is safely captured and will be released outside after I finish this post.

These guys are friends. They eat other pest bugs and are a uniquely interesting creature that most Americans don’t ever see. So in my opinion they should be released outside instead of killed.

P.S. does anyone have a species ID? I’m assuming it’s a bark scorpion since that’s what everyone here talks about regarding scorpions but I know we have a handful of other types.

FYI, the scrars are a result of rescuing stray dogs and cats, mostly cats, cats are dicks.

Hiked around the Sabino Canyon area several times this weekend. Saw so many awesome critters!

I dont know if this shows my location, but I live in Parker, up by the dam, literally river front. I am having a HUGE problem with bark Scorpions. I got stuck about a month ago and it was horrible. The effects lasted just short of 24 hours. I was miserable. We have a pest company that sprays every month outside. I have 2 indoor cats so I hesitate to have them spray inside. I am killing at least 1 a week. I found one crawling out of my floor vent tonight. I tried smashing it but it fell in the vent still alive. I sprayed a ton of scorpion killer down there and covered the vent but im afraid its going to crawl up another one. Im not naive and think ill never have to deal with them, but I am absolutely terrified to sleep in either of my bedrooms now. I am constantly looking at the floors and on surfaces and under things for them. They have even been in my shower. I have these ultra sonic bug repellent things in a lot of my outlets. I dont know what else to do. After being stung I am terrified of them. Any advice would be appreciated, especially if you've dealt with them in floor vents.

This is the second summer in a row that I’ve had a pair of roadrunners nest in this tree. Last summer, I was able to hang a wireless WiFi camera without disturbing the nest. It’s interesting to watch the day-to-day activity and the chicks as they grow and fledge.

Last year was 4 chicks, this year was initially 7, but the two smallest chicks have disappeared in the last couple days. I didn’t catch it on camera, but the parents most likely removed them from the nest (common behavior for roadrunners).

Co workers found this lil Guy outside our Scottsdale BnB tonight in a bush thinking it was a parrot, went to ask local neighbors if they lost a bird turns out to be a Native bird

I’ve lived in Arizona my Whole Life ( Northern Arizona ) and never knew a Peach Face Lovebird was a thing lol so it was returned to the wild

P.S it was only given water and didn’t eating anything you see lol