Bee and Thistle Computer Art by kenne
— kenne
American Coot Computer Painting by kenne
— kenne
A Labyrinth of Wild Flowers — Image by kenne
— from Box of Visions by Tom Russell
Tom Russell with Iris Dement — Box of Visions (Audio)
Mariposa Lily — Image by kenne
The Photographer
— kenne
Collared Dove — Images by kenne
The collared dove is one of the largest doves and a relative newcomer to Arizona, therefore it is considered an invasive species. In the 1970’s a shipment of Eurasian collared doves was sent to an exotic bird dealer in the Bahamas in place of an order of Ringed Neck Turtle Doves (also known as the Barbary Dove). They were then accidentally released and quickly made their way to Florida by the mid 1980’s. They grew in numbers, and then began making their way westward.
Annual bird counts conducted by the Audubon Society place the first recorded sightings in Arizona at 2001. Since that time, their numbers have been steadily increasing and can be found in all areas of the state.
— kenne
Silverleaf Oak Gall Near the Green Mountain Trail at 6,000 ft. in the Santa Catalina Mountains — Image by kenne
“Oak galls are caused by a group of small insects known as gall makers. Galls are a part of the insect’s reproductive cycle and provide a protected enclosure for development of offspring (larvae). The gall is formed by the tree in reaction to insect-released chemicals or other stimuli, which incite plant hormones to form the gall. The inside of the gall is rich with protein and provides a source of concentrated food for the developing larvae.” — Tony Bratsch
A Gila Monster Outing in Sabino Canyon — Images by kenne
— kenne
Life Stages of a Prickly Pear Blossom — Image by kenne
Red-winged Blackbird, Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, Arizona — Images by kenne
— John James Audubon
Molino Basin in the Santa Catalina Mountains — Black and White Image by kenne
— Ansel Adams
Green Mountain Trail To Guthrie Peak in the Santa Catalina Mountains — Panorama Image by kenne
(Click on any of the tiled images for a larger view in a slideshow format.)
Images by kenne
Wildflower Dreams — Image by kenne
— kenne
Nine Gambel’s Quail eggs in the patio planter.
About a week ago we had a new resident move in on our patio. I didn’t know she was there until one morning I was adding water the the fountain near the rosemary plant, when all of a sudden something flew out of the planter, scaring the shit out of me. At first I thought it was a dove on the wall I had not seen as I approached the fountain. It was only till the next time a similar happening took place did I realize the bird was coming from the planter. Since the bird was over the patio wall so quickly, not getting a good look, I assumed it was one of the many doves frequently seen around the fountain.
Patio fountain near rosemary planter.
I decided it was time for some investigative work and checked out the rosemary plant. What I found was nine eggs under the plant. With that many eggs it was for sure not a dove. It was probably a quail, but when she was on the nest it was difficult to till for sure. She is often on the nest when we are on the patio late in the day and evening, not seeming to be bothered by our talking and music nearby.
To make sure our new resident was a Gambel’s Quail, this morning move closer to the planter, as I crossed her comfort line she flew out over the wall, this time getting a good look at a Gambel’s Quail.
Images by kenne
Those of you who have followed this blog over the last few years know we have a resident Western screech owl near our front entranced under the tile roof on a somewhat hidden beam. The owl usually spends every other day here, apparently alternating with another daytime home in his nighttime range.
We did have a resident packrat, however we evicted her. We also have a resident gopher snake, but he tends to stay out of sight in appreciation of Joy’s fear of snakes.
— kenne
Desert Orangetip Butterfly In A Psychedelic World — Image by kenne
Coachwhip Snake In Sabino Canyon — Image by kenne
— kenne
