When talking about coming to Arizona, there was one single animal that was the cream of the crop for me to see in the wild, the all mighty Gila Monster. I love these little tenacious creatures; they remind me of bulldogs with their stocky thick build and big ole smiles.

We headed out in a group caravan after grabbing a quick bite to eat. Hitting yet another location with rocky hills, I didn't fare quite as well as the previous night, taking one amazing tumble and rolling my ankle, spraining it. Unfortunately I sprained it fairly early in the hike, and, well, the Gila were calling. Luckily my girl Linda from the CHS stayed behind and took the slow walk with me.

Our first find was a road kill frog, however we followed that up with a lovely tarantula.

Finding the girl was amazing. Bryan Fry sexed her out as a sub-adult female on look. Smiley stunning girl with that big old grin sillouetted in the moonlight (and, of course, our lamps and flashlights). Tonight we may head out after the banquet for the other goal species, the Sidewinder, but for now, I am a happy girl and can leave Arizona satisfied. BTW, did I mention Chip is a rockstar herper?