“The Early Bird Gets the Nectar” (White-winged Dove on Saguaro Cactus Buds) — Image by kenne
In April, the budding of saguaros is followed by the return of white-winged doves from Mexico who love the nectar in
the saguaro blossoms. This image captures a white-winged dove atop buds soon to blossom — another take on
“The early bird gets the worm.”
— kenne
Lake Robbins Bridge, The Woodlands, Texas (2003) — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Another Year of Few Wildflowers In The Sonoran Desert — Image by kenne
Spring wildflowers in the Sonoran desert depend on fall and winter rains. When there are little to no rains, as
has been the last few years, then there are few wildflowers in the spring. The above image is in the Molino
Basin, where in non-drought years, there are plenty of wildflowers to photograph. This year there are only a
few patches to be found.
— kenne
Sedona Area Panorama (Red Rock Country) — Photo-Artistry by kenne
— Father Alexander Elchaninov
Fencepost — Image by kenne
I’ve been told
that I’m built like a fencepost
Kind of wiry
A few knobs here and there
A knot or two for character
I make a pretty good fence
Good at keeping things inside
Not letting things out
But now my shadow seems leaner
Not quite as tall in the morning sun
The soil around my feet eroding
Drying out isn’t all it’s cracked up to be
Staying straight ain’t easy
The herd is getting restless
And the barbed wire on my back
is tearing me up inside.
A Reflection Selfie (Puerto Penasco, Mexico) — Image by kenne
A Gila Monster Spring (Sabino Canyon) — Image by kenne
Gila monsters are heavy-bodied lizards covered with beadlike scales, called osteoderms, that are black and
yellow or pink covering all but their belly. The Gila monster is venomous; its venom is made by a row of glands
in the lizard’s lower jaw. When the lizard bites, small grooves in the teeth help the venom flow into its prey. The
bite of a Gila monster is very strong, and the lizard may not loosen its grip for several seconds. It may even
chew so that the venom goes deeper into the wound.
As the name might suggest, the Gila (pronounced HEE-la) monster has one of the worst reputations in the
reptile world. This lizard is often feared and has been described as frightful and repulsive, especially in local
folklore. Source: San Diego Zoo
Modern Woman — Photo-Artistry by kenne
— Maya Angelou, Phenomenal Woman
Female Phainopepla In Sabino Canyon — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Palo Verde Trees In the Sabino Canyon — Image by kenne
The palo verde tree is Arizona’s state tree, and rightfully so since once established, these trees truly need no
supplemental water to live. The tree’s bark is green and can photosynthesize something that in most plants,
only leaves do. This characteristic also allows the leaves to be very small and drop off during extreme drought conditions.
In the Sonoran desert, there are four types of palo verde trees. The above image illustrates two; the Blue Palo Verde
on the left and the Foothills Palo Verde on the right. The Blue Palo Verde will generally bloom first in the spring,
followed by the Foothills a few weeks later. During April, you can see these trees blooming everywhere in Tucson.
— kenne
A Grassy Meadow Known as Thimble Flat (Thimble Peak On the Left) — Image by kenne
Thimble Flat
We gathered early one November morning,
now we were going to turn words into action
by hiking six miles to climb Thimble Peak.
Starting at the Gordon Hirabayashi Campground,
we hiked the Sycamore Canyon trail to the
Bear Canyon trail, then leaving the trail at a flat
grassy meadow called Thimble Flat to traverse
around a deep gulley, making our way through rocks
and brush to the base of Thimble Peak, where we paused
to determine the best way to climb this pinnacle on a
mountain ridge, overlooking Tucson known as Thimble Peak.
— kenne
Canyons Near Moab, Utah — Image by kenne
A Canyon Hymn
My place of worship has sandstone walls
Arches are altars and ledges become pews.
There are rafters of gnarled cottonwood limbs
Hidden alcove gardens are my inner sanctum.
Gods send messages down the aisles
In raging flash floods and down-canyon breezes.
After-storm rainbows are my stained glass
And potholes are the tadpole’s baptismal fonts.
Scriptures are revealed in images pecked and painted
On rock surface patina and sheltered cliff faces
While holy water seeps clear or flows blood red.
My collection plate is passed around by the BLM
And I stuff it with permit fees
At the end of each guiding season.
— Vaughn Hadenfeldt
Where Are We? (Doubtful Canyon) — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Desert Beauty — Image by kenne
The drifting sands
hug and cover the cactus
showing only its light
not letting me see
its shadows embracing
my passions intensely.
— kenne
Santa Cruz River South of Tucson — Image by kenne
— kenne
