The image of Count Dracula transforming into a bat in the blink of an eye, flying off into the darkness to terrorize helpless citizens is an image that hasn't done the actual bats that fill up our skies any favors.

But this weekend, on the verge of International Bat Night, no matter how creeped out you feel, we should give credit where credit is due.

Because life in the desert would be miserable without them.

Whether you drive across it, take a brisk walk, or bike underneath it, the Campbell Avenue bridge over the Rillito Wash is functional like the other 1,200 or so bridges across Pima County.

They get you from A to B and, in this case, the "B" stands for something.

But if you stop and smell the guano, you quickly realize this is no mere bridge.

It's home to thousands of bats that e

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