Archive for January 2019
Jeff and Phil lead others to the base of the ridge — Images by kenne
The trail begins merciful,
level and wide for
our first steps.
The sun greeting us
rising above the mountains
warming the morning air.
Our path is straight
into the canyon
through winter’s brown.
Soon the trail narrows
turning left, then right
with carved rock stairs.
The pace slows as
fellow hikers snake-line
up the steep slopes.
As we near the first ridge,
the sky seems smaller,
staying alert with each step.
Hiking the lower canyon walls,
soon we reach the first saddle,
we break for the vistas.
Seeing no bighorn sheep,
only white rocks mistook
for their white rumps.
Climbing up and
around the next ridge,
water flowing from its top.
A steep drop in the trail
beckons thoughts of yet
another ridge to climb.
Reaching a thousand feet
above the trailhead before
hiking down to the pools.
Winter rains have provided
plenty of water for breathtaking
views of the pools and falls.
Spring break will bring
students’ cliff jumping into
the deeper Romero Pools.
I share a silent moment
above the pools with
only my shadow companion.
— kenne
Images by kenne
CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL PHOTOS OF HIKING ROMERO POOLS TRAIL, JANUARY 2015.
“Life On A Gneiss Rock” — Image by kenne
When you spend time in Sabino Canyon, you will see a lot of gneiss rock. Twenty-five million years ago two ancient rock types, 1.4-billion-year-old Oracle granite and 50-million-year-old wilderness granite combined to form a type of striped and banded rock called gneiss — pronounced “nice.” Today these striped rocks are seen in canyon cliffs and some streambeds. On the more shaded cliffsides, it is common to find different types of mosses and ferns growing on the nice rocks, especially during rainy seasons.
— kenne
I never take a sunset for granted. — kenne
Female Phainopepla — Photo-Artistry by kenne
There She Was
There she was,
Gazing at me
Wondering why
I look so funny.
There she was,
On her perch
An ocotillo branch
Sharing the gray.
There she was
A little red
In her eye
Continuing to gaze.
There she was
As I wonder why
The ocotillo
Not mesquite.
There she was
Flycatcher by name
Preferring the berries
Of desert mistletoe.
There she was
Not gazing at me
Turning her eye
To mistletoe berries.
There she was
In the desert winter
No insects
For this flycatcher.
There she was
Where there are
Berries abundant
For a misnamed bird.
There she was
Until the days
Grew hot
In the desert sun.
Now she’s gone
To the mountains
In search of a
New berry source.
— kenne
Adding Color to Sparrows — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Sparrows are common
No color in black and white
I paint with hue lights.
— kenne
“Dance with the Wind — Photo-artistry by kenne
Dance with the Wind
I can’t remember the first time I was asked,
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
I do remember it was not the last,
each time dancing out whom I wanted to be.
Projecting an image,
more than motion,
more than a reflex,
it was a feeling
transformed in the act.
In my freedom of expression,
adults around me loved the movement,
reflecting an awareness of where I was,
often lost in their youth.
With age,
answering the question became more difficult,
movement losing feeling
as I went through the motions,
coming under the influence of a fashion,
unaware of the freedom
evoked by experiencing the feeling.
By way of schooling,
I learned the programmed dance steps.
The more I practiced the steps,
the better I dealt with the known,
ignorant of conventional limitations
being placed in the unknown.
Still, going through the motions
was not without the sound
of Mother’s words,
“always be yourself,”
playing in the background.
The music of these caring words
handing me a string to the kite of life,
without which I would not be able
to dance with the wind.
By hanging on to her lifeline,
I learned the wind was my friend,
forming a rhythm alliance,
enhancing my feeling for the dance.
Each step taping to the music,
dancing in the wonder of life,
gliding in the midst of reality,
the dance always being new,
personal,
alive.
— kenne
(A draft of this poem was first written December 2000.)
Naturalist Debbie Bird Leads 3rd Graders On Nature Walk — Image by kenne
For January, I’m the Thursday Day Coordinator for the SCVN Elementary School Nature Program, which means I’m the one responsible for coordinating with the teacher the class field trip to Sabino Canyon. Once the class arrives, I make sure everything runs smoothly, and the students have a great nature experience. It’s a classic “managing by walking around” experience. During that time I also take pictures — https://www.flickr.com/photos/kennetu/albums/72157702835523912
One of the nature walks was being led by naturalist Debbie Bird when I noticed she had picked up a couple of hitch-hikers from the north. I can see why they were following Debbie’s group because she is very informative.
As we moved about, I asked the couple, “Now tell me the truth, are following this group of third graders because you want to learn something about nature or is it that you want to be part of the Class of 2028?”
— kenne
These little guys are enjoying the new spring growth in the desert. — kenne
Verdin In Sabino Canyon Riparian Area — Photo-Artistry by kenne
His call is clear
a chip followed
by another chip
then another
moving as in a
constant motion —
chip, chip.
— kenne
Wolf Moon (January 27, 2013)– Photo-Artistry by kenne
On cold winter nights
Hungry wolves howl at the moon
Adrenalin flows.
— kenne
“Solitude” — Photo-Artistry by kenne
“The secret of a good old age
is simply an honorable pact
with solitude.”
. . . from One Hundred Years of Solitude, by Gabriel García Márquez
“Window of Yesterdays” — Photo-Artistry by kenne
The Window Of Yesterdays
Like Cinderella’s
Glass slipper
Only one shoe
Had the right fit.
In life’s early years
It took time
Searching
For the right fit —
Trying on
Many different shoes
Before the music
Brought us together.
I
Slipped into you
Tying you
To my body –
Knowing
Only you
Could get so close.
We
Have walked
Many miles
Not always in step
But at the start of each day
You were there.
You
Supported each step
Through the good times
When we danced together
And the bad times
When the music stopped.
Over the years
I knew
Where we were going
You knew
Where we had been
As our souls
Have now worn thin —
Broken
Held together by twin
Only now expressing
The secret face
Of our enter selves.
Having been seduced
By a lover’s
Darkest kiss
No longer laced together —
Merely to be left behind
In the window
Of yesterdays
Kissed only
By tomorrow’s sun.
— kenne
Revisiting “On a Clear Day, You Can See Forever,” poster January 24, 2012. — kenne
Eastern Collared Lizard — Image by kenne
December Snow (View off Our Patio) — Photo-Artistry by kenne
