Final Bat Flight.....

Autumn continues on. The leaves are now blowing off the trees and fluttering across the ground.  Bare branches of trees ready for winter slumber. Some are still in their radiant foliage of reds, oranges, and yellow. The last flights of Rose Guano Cave are in action. The kids and I were happy to go up to see the winged mammals in their October symphony.... before they leave on their hibernation route. It was a beautiful, warm early evening.

The Mexican Free-tailed bats were already beating their wings as Ava and Isaac climbed the rope into the mouth of the cave.......

The sun began to set. The light painting the valley floor and warming the rocks of the cave before it disappeared. A bone-warming October glow.

This trip up, I wanted to focus on the researchers this time as they process the bats and release them after collecting data. They have a smooth system and it amazes me that they account for 500 -900 individual bats each night here. Impressive.

I have a great appreciation of bats and I am reminded that they play a valuable role in the web of life. They too contribute to this delicate balance of our planet.