EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

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Barranca of the Sierra Madre

Credit & Copyright:  Dr. Bruce G. Marcot
  

Explanation:  Welcome to the Sierra Madre Occidental, rugged and steep mountains that spine their way along western Mexico.   Cut deeply into this ancient plateau are steep canyons -- barrancas -- that house dense, mesic (moist) native woodlands and forests, that serve as habitat for such interesting wildlife as Stygian Owls and Tufted Jays.   This is a birder's destination, with high biodiversity. Biologist colleagues and I searching for a way down into this canyon, in search of owls, quetzals, parrots, and lots else.