Usually, this time of year, when the temperatures are over 100 degrees, we start getting some monsoon rains.
So, yesterday when the dark clouds began moving in we would get some rain, and we did.
But only after some strong winds, reminding us much of a coming hurricane on the gulf coast.
Usually, wind gust in the desert doesn’t blow off the green olives on our patio tree,
but they did yesterday.
As the front moved through, we started to get some rain.
We received about one-quarter inch, the first rain in two months.
Late Wednesday, June 10th. Most of the smoke is from upper Pima Canyon, Finger Rock and Mt. Kimball.
Around 6:00 am Thursday, June 11th. The smoke has settled in over
the Catalina Mountains and beginning to move down into the Tucson basin.
The smell from the fire is very noticeable as I leave for my morning walk in the neighborhood.
I’m now at the back of Tanuri Ridge as more of the smoke appears
to be leaving the mountains spreading over the Catalina Foothills.
I’m beginning to think I should have warned a facemask.
Now at the entrance of Tanuri Ridge and you can bearly make out
the mountains.
I used a Photoshop Dehaze filter on some of these images so in reality,
there was much more smoke and haze.
Tanuri Drive
As I continued my walk, the parts of the fire appeared to be backtracking to the west.
There’s very little wind this morning, so a lot of the news smoke
coming from downdrafts through where rain would typically
flow off the mountains.
A big plum of smoke coming from the Finger Rock area.
It is now around 8:00 am.
It is now around 10:30 am. The fire is now about a mile west of
Pima Canyon trailhead. (Because of my distance from the
mountains, I’m making an educated guess.)
The following copy is from Haidi Chewel, with the National Forest Service.
Bighorn Fire – June 11th, 2020 Morning Update
Pima County Sheriff’s Department issues “SET” notice
Acres: 4,769 Percent Containment: 10%
Start Date: June 5th, 2020 Cause: Lightning
Origin Location: Santa Catalina Mountains
Jurisdiction: Coronado National Forest, including portions of the Pusch Ridge Wilderness
Personnel: 391
Resources: 6 hotshot crews, 3 Type 2 hand crews, 7 Type 3 engines, 1 Type 4 engine, 7 Type 6 engines, 4 Type 1 helicopters, 1 Type 2 helicopter, 2 Type 3 helicopter, 10 water tenders
The Bighorn Fire remained active overnight, with flames being pushed downhill by downslope winds. Temperatures up to 106 degrees today and continued low humidity will increase fire activity. The fire will again be highly visible on the front range of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Crews will work to hold the fire perimeter and continue building fire lines, tying into control features such as roads and rock outcroppings. Additional aerial resources will support the crews on the ground with water and retardant drops.
Over the next several days’ communities can expect to see crews and apparatus working in an around subdivisions in the Catalina Foothills. Members of the public are advised to drive with caution and leave roadways clear for emergency vehicles and equipment to pass.
Bighorn Wildfire In the Pusch Ridge Wilderness, Santa Catalina Mountains (June 9, 2020) — Images by kenne
The bighorn wildfire that was lightning-caused June 5, 2020, has now entered the upper elevation of Pima Cayon in the
Pusch Ridge Wilderness. The fire has now burned 3,277 acres. At various times, depending on wind conditions,
the mountains and foothills are covered with a haze of smoke. — kenne
Arizona Trail on Horseback — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Recently I spent some time photographing wildflowers in the Molino Basin. One of the trails through the campgrounds is part of the Arizona Trail. When I arrived, there was a horse trailer with three horses and four guys saddling-up the horses. Since I was there to photograph wildflowers, I started hiking the trail. About the time I reach a section of the basin that had experienced a wildfire a couple of years ago, I looked back and so two riders with a packhorse. Of course, I had to take a few photos, and at the first opportunity, I asked how far they were going. They had begun a three-day, two-night ride to a ranch just outside Oracle, Arizona, which was on the northside of the Santa Catalina Mountains. I wished the well and continued photographing wildflowers.
It’s the time of year to start doing nature walks and hikes at higher elevations, so last week I went to Molino Basin at 5,000 feet. A lot of wildflowers including more thistles than I’ve ever seen.
A Visitor On The Patio (Immature Cooper’s Hawk) — Images by kenne
This immature Cooper’s Hawk perched on one of our patio chairs not far from the bird feeder frequented by doves for about one minute this morning. A mature hawk would have been up in the olive tree near the feeder. Even then, that doesn’t work as well as swooping from over the rooftop. They will learn. These images were taken through the patio door, which given the time of day the doors become a mirror.
Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalist (SCVN), Ed Rawl, died April 18, 2020. Ed loved everything about being out in nature and teaching his love of nature to children. He completed the SCVN training program in 2010, one year before I did. During my, training Ed was one of the naturalists I spent time observing. He was a factor in my choosing to teach on Thursdays in the elementary program.
Ed Rawl; Thursday Elementary School Program (3/3/16)
Ed taught on Thursdays from January 2010 to January 2019. He loved being with the kids and remained active in the program until a series of health issues began to take a toll on him.
Ed Rawl (January 10, 2019)
Ed was the Thursday Day Coordinator in December 2014 when Alexa Von Bieberstein, who had been an SCVN member since 2007, was returning to Germany.
When I was Vice President of Public Interpretation, I called on Ed several times to help guide groups of hikers.
Dan Granger and Ed Rawl with Members of the American Senior Housing Association (11/07/14)
Ed Rawl Guiding Some of the Appalachian Mountains Club Members to Hutch’s Pool (04/08/14)
SCVN Friday Hikes with Ann Nierenberg, Ed Rawl, Dan Granger and Tim Ralph (6/22/12)
Ed loved hiking in the Santa Catalina Mountains and was an active guide in the SCVN Friday Hikes.
Ed Rawl and Naturalist Jan Labiner Hiking to Seven Falls (10/17/2013)
When not doing the regular SCVN Friday hikes, he would hike with friends, or often alone.
Hiking to Thimble Peak — Naturalists Tim Ralph, Ed Rawl, Phil Bentley, and Alexa Von Bieberstein at the Gorden Hirabayashi Campground (11/07/13)
One of the most memorable experiences came in November of 2013 when Tim Ralph, Ed Rawl, Alexa Von Bieberstein, Phil Bentley, and myself hiked to Thimble Peak. On a windy and chilly morning, we began our hike out of the Gorden Hirabayashi Campground.
Tim Ralph, Ed Rawl, Alexa Von Bieberstein, and Phil Bentley (11/07/13)
As the front moved through, we started to get some rain.
We received about one-quarter inch, the first rain in two months.
Images by kenne
Bighorn Fire (Sabino Canyon Smoke) — Images by Marty Horowitz
It has now burned over 32,000 acres and is only 40% contained.
Almost 1,000 personal with a lot of land and air support equipment continue to fight the fire.
Images were taken about three miles from the front ridge of the range.
Each image was captured at various times on June 18th.
Images by kenne
Late Wednesday, June 10th. Most of the smoke is from upper Pima Canyon, Finger Rock and Mt. Kimball. 
Around 6:00 am Thursday, June 11th. The smoke has settled in over
The smell from the fire is very noticeable as I leave for my
I’m now at the back of Tanuri Ridge as more of the smoke appears
Now at the entrance of Tanuri Ridge and you can bearly make out
I used a Photoshop Dehaze filter on some of these images so in reality,
Tanuri Drive
As I continued my walk, the parts of the fire appeared to be
There’s very little wind this morning, so a lot of the news smoke
A big plum of smoke coming from the Finger Rock area.
It is now around 8:00 am. 
It is now around 10:30 am. The fire is now about a mile west of
Bighorn Wildfire In the Pusch Ridge Wilderness, Santa Catalina Mountains (June 9, 2020) — Images by kenne
Yucca Blossom in Molino Basin (April 24, 2020) — Photo Essay by kenne
Arizona Trail on Horseback — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Thistles — Images by kenne
A Visitor On The Patio (Immature Cooper’s Hawk) — Images by kenne
Ed Rawl; Thursday Elementary School Program (3/3/16)
Ed Rawl (January 10, 2019)
Dan Granger and Ed Rawl with Members of the American Senior Housing Association (11/07/14)
Ed Rawl Guiding Some of the Appalachian Mountains Club Members to Hutch’s Pool (04/08/14)
SCVN Friday Hikes with Ann Nierenberg, Ed Rawl, Dan Granger and Tim Ralph (6/22/12)
Ed Rawl and Naturalist Jan Labiner Hiking to Seven Falls (10/17/2013) 
Hiking to Thimble Peak — Naturalists Tim Ralph, Ed Rawl, Phil Bentley, and Alexa Von Bieberstein at the Gorden Hirabayashi Campground (11/07/13)
Tim Ralph, Ed Rawl, Alexa Von Bieberstein, and Phil Bentley (11/07/13)
