Melissa Crytzer Fry

Writer, citizen scientist, conservationist, naturalist. Sharing a love of nature & the Sonoran Desert through photos, camera traps. Married to an awesome man.

[Melissa Crytzer Fry @CrytzerFry]

Fighting to save H20 & wildlife in AZ’s Sky Islands. On June 30, BLM approved 67 exploratory drill sites for Canadian Faraday Copper.

Please help! By Aug. 18, 2025, email state and Safford BLM offices. Find easy copy/paste suggestions here: https://t.co/qG9NMrCdQk At stake:

[Melissa Crytzer Fry @CrytzerFry]

Squeezy says, "Just showing off my ear tufts!" It's #Caturday!

[Melissa Crytzer Fry @CrytzerFry]

Mountain yote at Copper Creek!

#Coyote on #cameratrap. #SkyIslands #GaliuroMountains.

[Melissa Crytzer Fry @CrytzerFry]

"Don't mind me! Just dunking a #lizard!"

#Roadrunners rock. This is a common behavior. Think this is a zebra-tailed lizard.

[Melissa Crytzer Fry @CrytzerFry]

Got some of the best #ringtail shots we've ever gotten in this series

(It was hard to pick a favorite ... about 5 other great ones. Let me know if you want to see them!)

#cameratrap #SkyIslands #GaliuroMountains

[Melissa Crytzer Fry @CrytzerFry]

@fagmyer Yes... That "Little guy." Ha ha. Ours also happens to be blind in one eye and is all, "I see you snake. Go ahead and try it."

[Melissa Crytzer Fry @CrytzerFry]

"Made you flinch!"

Proof that #rattlesnakes aren't aggressive.

There have been LOTS of these snake interactions with mule #deer and Sonoran Desert toads lately.

[Melissa Crytzer Fry @CrytzerFry]

@fagmyer The other iteration has been a Sonoran Desert Toad. The snake seems to have had prior experience to know that they are poisonous (and will kill a rattler if consumed). Last night it hopped RIGHT on the rattler's tail, and the reaction was only a startle!

[Melissa Crytzer Fry @CrytzerFry]

@feathersong SO true!

[Melissa Crytzer Fry @CrytzerFry]

@TheBeckyBecksss That's awesome!

[Melissa Crytzer Fry @CrytzerFry]

@MarthaH49758600 It is definitely healthy!

[Melissa Crytzer Fry @CrytzerFry]

@372333N1158083W Just posted one yesterday! https://t.co/VeOzcUhTxT

[Melissa Crytzer Fry @CrytzerFry]

Forgot to post in the spring... But this is a #coatimundi bounding through the mountain foliage of the Galiuro Mountains in Arizona - a Sky Island.

[Melissa Crytzer Fry @CrytzerFry]

The little mountain girl #bobcat continues to do well! #cameratrap

[Melissa Crytzer Fry @CrytzerFry]

@am_anatiala I'm going to post more of her... Got a cute butt-shot of her leaping off a rock - like Superman. Love her.

[Melissa Crytzer Fry @CrytzerFry]

Forgot to post in the spring... But this is a #coatimundi bounding through the mountain foliage of the Galiuro Mountains in Arizona - a Sky Island.

[Melissa Crytzer Fry @CrytzerFry]

Not sure where my Squeezy wishes you a #HappyFourthOfJuly during #Caturday message went. But linked post shows how he's spending his day!

[Melissa Crytzer Fry @CrytzerFry]

Can't tell if he loves or hates his new meerkat from IKEA? Its neck is the perfect size for "carrying around."

He distracted me during legal meetings TWICE this week with his shenanigans (Yes, in this vid). 😂

[Melissa Crytzer Fry @CrytzerFry]

With these distractions right outside my window, some days, it's hard to get work done... Baby black-throated #sparrow, black-tailed #jackrabbit, western diamondback #rattlesnake.

[Melissa Crytzer Fry @CrytzerFry]

Coachwhip #snake taking a sip at the pond, then heading back out to the desert. Caught on #cameratrap.

[Melissa Crytzer Fry @CrytzerFry]

#Biologists and #veterinarians... Any idea what is happening with this #muledeer buck's antler? I mean, this looks like a tumor, but is right where his other antler should be.

He gets along fine, and I'm happy it's not obstructing his vision completely.

[Melissa Crytzer Fry @CrytzerFry]

Well hello my little - I mean, GIANT - friend. I wanted to clean and refill the watering system, and didn't know someone was in there.

Got quite the startle (and still didn't get to clean it! These extreme temps = QUICK algae growth). #SonoranDesertToad