Cenizo Journal Summer 2017 | Page 4

Discover the Davis Mountains: Hummingbird Capital of Texas by Madge Lindsay A bove: Davis Mountains Preserve scenic, photo courtesy of Michael G ray Left: Rufous Hummingbird, photo courtesy of Michael G ray; Middle: Lucifer Hummingbird, courtesy of Kelly Bryan; Right: A methyst-throated Hummingbird, courtesy of Michael G ray. L ocated in the northern Chihuahuan Desert, the geogra- phy and ecology of the Davis Mountains is fascinating. With rugged terrain and “bigger than life” land- scapes, the region’s wild character 4 draws visitors from around the country and beyond. The Davis Mountains is one of three Texas sky islands found in the region, including the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, 110 miles north-northwest in Culbertson Cenizo Third Quarter 2017 County, TX, and the Big Bend National Park, 100 miles south-south- east in Brewster County. The Davis Mountains are the largest of the Texas sky islands; eight times larger than the Guadalupe Mountains (Texas portion) and over 50 times larger than Big Bend’s Chisos Mountains. continued on page 26