The ghostly remains of former boom towns

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In Cochise County at the end of the 19th century, as soon as anyone struck precious ore ­– be it copper, silver or gold – a town was born.

Many boom towns hit bust and were deserted just as quickly. A few remain – Tombstone, Wilcox, Bisbee and others. The rest are now ghost towns, distant memories as faded as the sparse adobe walls, rusty collapsed roofs and splintered wood frames that pepper the landscape. Dilapidated and disintegrating, these half-dwellings are reminders of some of lives that were there before us.

This is a photographic journey through that landscape.

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A tropical parrot ‘oasis’ deep in the desert {An ASNS Video}

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Down among the small farms and cattle ranches, amid hoards of prickly pear cactus, mesquite trees and creosote bushes in Cascabel, Ariz., 50 miles north of Tombstone, anybody can hear the normal droll sounds of rural life.

But listen closer: high-pitched screeches echo throughout the valley. Squawks and shrieks akin to the dinosaurs heard on T.V. become louder and more prominent as you approach Teran Road. A sign that pictures a pink cockatiel explains the cacophony: “The Oasis Sanctuary.” A big arrow points west, directing drivers toward a 71-acre wild bird and parrot rescue sanctuary.

How many birds?

“Oh boy, I’ve lost count,” said Janet Trumbule, executive director of administration at sanctuary foundation. “We have about 12 to 15 different species of birds here. I think we’re up to 728 birds.”

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Please don’t feed the coyotes

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In a the middle of the desert, Tombstone is a hub for human and wildlife interaction, but lately this interaction has become a lot less peaceful. This fall, small pets such as cats and dogs have found themselves more prominently on the list of prey for coyotes. Mark Hart, a spokesman for Game Management, a…

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Medical Cannabis in Arizona

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In late 2010 Arizona voters approved Proposition 203 the “Medical Marijuana Act,” by just a slim win of 0.13 percent. Four dispensaries and 16 throughout the state have been opened since then. Ninety-eight more have received their certifications, and just have to have the paperwork completed, and sponsor the funds by Aug. 7, 2013, to…

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