Golden Corridor LIVING Magazine
No Result
View All Result
Golden Corridor LIVING Magazine - Click for Current Issue
  • Inside
    • The ROX LIVING Interview
    • Pinal County Press Local News
    • City Speak
    • Biz!
    • You!
    • Out & About
    • Fun!
    • Q&A
    • Voices of the Community
  • Special Sections
    • Arts & Humanities
    • Automotive
    • Best of Pinal County
    • Business & Leadership
    • Casa Grande: A Growing Horizon
    • Dining & Adventure
    • Education
    • Holiday
    • Home & Garden
    • Leaders In Business
    • Medical Health & Wellness
    • Nonprofits
    • Photo Contest
    • Pinal County
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Women in Business
  • Current Issue
    • Subscribe
    • Past Issue Archives
  • Inside
    • The ROX LIVING Interview
    • Pinal County Press Local News
    • City Speak
    • Biz!
    • You!
    • Out & About
    • Fun!
    • Q&A
    • Voices of the Community
  • Special Sections
    • Arts & Humanities
    • Automotive
    • Best of Pinal County
    • Business & Leadership
    • Casa Grande: A Growing Horizon
    • Dining & Adventure
    • Education
    • Holiday
    • Home & Garden
    • Leaders In Business
    • Medical Health & Wellness
    • Nonprofits
    • Photo Contest
    • Pinal County
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Women in Business
  • Current Issue
    • Subscribe
    • Past Issue Archives
No Result
View All Result
Golden Corridor LIVING Magazine
Golden Corridor LIVING Magazine - Click for Current Issue
Home You!

Husband, Wife Help Readers Explore the Desert

May 21, 2021
0
325
SHARES
2.5k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

by Loren and Melissa Shelton, Critter-Photography Team

We are Loren and Melissa Shelton, and we both grew up in Casa Grande. I’ve been here since 1969 and have seen a lot of changes. I’ve always been an explorer of the desert and have seen much of Arizona.

I’ve hiked the Grand Canyon several times, as well as Havasupai falls. Have hiked to all the highest peaks in Arizona, from Humphreys near Flagstaff to the Sky islands of southeast Arizona.

I grew up trapping bobcats and other fur-bearing animals back in the day right around Casa Grande; earned a lot of money in high school that way. Since then I’m more of a photographer with a deep interest in nature, especially reptiles.

Melissa grew up on a farm and owned a local pet store here in Casa Grande for many years. We do a lot of exploring together. I asked her to marry me on one of the Grand Canyon hikes.
We go out almost nightly looking for critters, especially snakes, which we photograph and let them go on their way. Last year we saw 300 snakes!

We see foxes, coyotes, lots of small animals, and lizards. Casa Grande is wonderful for sitting out of town at dusk and watching the bats come out at the right time of year.

There is so much to do and see locally, and we’d like to share some of our experiences with the places and critters we see.

Hopefully, everyone will enjoy what we share and learn a little along the way — most importantly to learn the benefits of creatures some people may are afraid of because of myths and fears perpetrated about them. Snakes have their place, as do scorpions and spiders.

I think we all will have fun getting to know more about our area and some of the cool things to do and see around here including learning about the elusive Gila monsters and Chuckwalla lizards.
We hope to feature some of your favorites over the months and we both look forward to the opportunity to share with you.

Meet the Chuckwalla


The Chuckwalla is a diurnal (active during the daytime) lizard that is rather large compared to other lizards around here.

Sometimes mistaken for Gila monsters, Chuckwallas are usually all black with a yellow tail. They live in the granite outcroppings of our local mountains and can get over a foot long. They have a large body they can puff full of air when they escape in a crack of the boulders making them next to impossible to get out.

Despite their large bodies, and the fact there are many of them all over our mountains, they are wary and alert. Most people have never seen one. They come out in the spring to feed off new plant growth and flowers and bask in the sun.

They are big beautiful lizards that are herbivores and are always fun to see. Next time you’re out hiking, look in the cracks of the boulders, and you just might find a big lizard peering back at you!

Previous Post

Ducey Tours CAC Training Center at Launch

Next Post

‘Bootie Scootie’ in Cats, Dogs Could Be Worrisome

Next Post

‘Bootie Scootie’ in Cats, Dogs Could Be Worrisome

Join our Newsletter

Golden Corridor LIVING eNewsletter Subscription

No Result
View All Result
Cover for Golden Corridor Living Magazine
2,775
Golden Corridor Living Magazine

Golden Corridor Living Magazine

Lifestyles in Arizona's Golden Corridor - everything between Phoenix and Tucson.

Golden Corridor Living Magazine

6 hours ago

Golden Corridor Living Magazine
The City of Casa Grande is looking for community minded individuals to fill vacant positions on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Applications will be accepted until Friday, July 8 at 4:00 PM. ... See MoreSee Less

Vacant Boards and Commissions

casagrandeaz.gov

Ready to be Active in Your Community? The City of Casa Grande has 20 boards and commissions that assist the City with information gathering and provide feedback on issues of interest to the community....
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

   
It’s About LOCAL – ADVERTISE WITH US

© 2022 ROX Media • Privacy Policy
info@roxco.com • 520.426.2074 • 844-729-9769
CORPORATE OFFICE: 1919 N Trekell Rd., Ste. C • Casa Grande, AZ 85122

No Result
View All Result
  • Inside
    • The ROX LIVING Interview
    • Pinal County Press Local News
    • City Speak
    • Biz!
    • You!
    • Out & About
    • Fun!
    • Q&A
    • Voices of the Community
  • Special Sections
    • Arts & Humanities
    • Automotive
    • Best of Pinal County
    • Business & Leadership
    • Casa Grande: A Growing Horizon
    • Dining & Adventure
    • Education
    • Holiday
    • Home & Garden
    • Leaders In Business
    • Medical Health & Wellness
    • Nonprofits
    • Photo Contest
    • Pinal County
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Women in Business
  • Current Issue
    • Subscribe
    • Past Issue Archives

© 2022 ROX Media Group.