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Meeting My New Wild Neighbors
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The wildlife of Grand Canyon really makes an impression. When I came here for my in person interview for Xanterra South Rim's Graphic Designer, I was given a guest room for one night so I can spend one day traveling up to the Canyon and the next day for the interview and traveling back. I was impressed and happy with the room given to me for the night, a second floor room in Maswik Lodge. I had come up thinking that I would enjoy the Canyon as much as I can, walking along the rim and going to whatever points I could fit in the time I had.
It wasn't until the morning of my interview that I realized a whole new dimension to Grand Canyon. I woke up early to get some more shots of the Canyon before my interview. When I walked out the door and took one step out I heard rustling on the lawn in front of my building. Thinking someone was walking through the leaves, I took another step out to the edge of the walkway and looked over. I did see a large brown mass but did not interpret it as an animal until I saw a cone shaped head with its tip aimed at me with 2 big black eyes with ears directed my way.
I remember my first interaction with Grand Canyon wildlife as if it were yesterday. I do not remember every encounter with Mule Deer or the other animals of Grand Canyon. I try to make it a point to remember my first contact with each species I come across (at least the ones I can recognize).
My Sightings
Elk in my back yard. Photo by Christian Espanol.
Elk - At a distance after my interview was over. I was walking back from my car from the Hermit Road-GC Village interchange and spotted them to my right crossing the railroad tracks.
Coyote - Crossing the road while driving (a sign of bad luck to local Native Americans).
Desert Bighorn Sheep - From the Rim Trail pointed out to me by someone else through the trees well below the Rim.
Mule Deer - The first animal I came across. Eating grass outside the lodge I stayed for my interview.
Mountain Lion - Possibly spotted from a distance at night crossing Highway 64. Even with brights, all I know is that it was very large, slender low to the ground and maybe gray in color.
Raccoon - Making a break for shelter after trying to get into a dumpster near the Grand canyon Railway Station at night.
Collared Peccary (Javalina) - A whole family along the road waiting to cross between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View. They ran back into the forest as I passes them.
The Mule deer outside my room the morning
of my interview. Photo by Christian Espanol.
Squirrel smiling on a rock. Photo by Christian Espanol.
Sticks relaxing. Photo by Christian Espanol.
Fox - I don't know the species, but seen running away from a deer that was chasing it (angry mother perhaps).
Pronghorn - Grazing along cattle in the pastures along Highway 64.
Ringtail - Running across the road in an employee housing area.
Skunk - Two species of skunk are in the Canyon. Did not see them, but definitely smelled them.
Bat - Many species live around Grand Canyon. Saw some while stargazing with friends along the Rim of the Canyon.
Mouse - Mice are a problem for the historic building of Grand Canyon. I have seen many species.
Black-tailed Jack Rabbit - Many along the side of the road on Highway 64 at night.
Chipmunk - No idea what species, but one lives in the tree in front of my apartment.
Desert Cottontail - My neighbor nicknamed the one living under our duplex "Thumper."
Squirrel - The most dangerous animal of the Canyon! Seen many times being fed along the rim by unsuspecting park visitors.
Toad/Frog - Only heard croaking in a riparian area while hiking to Phantom Ranch.
Walking Stick Insect - My "pet" I named Sticks. Lived on my apartment wall by my door for a very long time when I first got my place. Survived through snow stormsand freezing nights. One day I came home from work and he just was not there.
Grand Canyon National Park Service - Animal Information
Grand Canyon National Park - Keep Wildlife Wild Program
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