Tom Taking A Moment to Rest Before Setting Up Camp on Mica Mountain (April 2012) — Image by kenne
Remembering So Much, Let So Little
We walked together as brothers His a shuffled pace totaling Many unnumbered miles Remembering so much, let so little
Have known him for the last ten years Reminding me of my brother, It seemed like a lifetime Remembering so much, let so little
When we first met We were in a hiking group For me, all were strangers Remembering so much, let so little
He had that something We all feel but can’t explain As with the wistfulness of used books Remembering so much, let so little
Hiking dusty trails, stirred only by our steps, A soft breeze unable to lift The dust above our boots Remembering so much, let so little
Sharing a love of the wild To hear sounds, see vistas In the desert and sky islands Remembering so much, let so little
He was born with a feel for the moment Making use of the incidentals Whether invited or not Remembering so much, let so little
An eye for beauty and form Where nothing is perfect And everything is perfect. Remembering so much, let so little
Always ready to go farther afield Looking for new trails – such as The Hidden Pasture Trail Remembering so much, let so little
Meticulously researching new adventures Was a hobby driven by the belief One knows the country through direct contact Remembering so much, let so little
Possessing a diverse love of life Sharing stories of youthful conquests As the sunsets only to be replaced by a full moon Remembering so much, let so little
Dare not wave the punctual tissue of farewell He would reply with an insouciant shrug Therefore, I drink to you, my brother Remembering so much, let so little
For this is a path we will all take On the Hidden Pasture Trail It’s all part of nature’s plan Remembering so much, let so little
Wild Burro Canyon In The Tortolita Mountains (March 12, 2012) — Panorama Created By Merging Three Photos By kenne
These mountains were home to the Hohokam (550 to 1540 A.D.) as evidenced by the amazing petroglyphs carved into rocks throughout the range. We also know that Spanish explorers sought mineral riches for their crown in the 1540s, and there was a short-lived mining boom in the 1860s.
Ash-throated Flycatcher Near Tubac Along The Santa Cruz River
Ash-throated Flycatcher Near Tubac Along The Santa Cruz River
Lesser Goldfinch In A Mesquite Tree
Albert’s Towhee — Images by kenne
One of the birding trips I went on during last month’s Tucson Audubon Society’s annual birding festival was to Tubac, which is located near the Santa Cruz River. These are a few of the better shots I was able to get while there.
Since I live in the Tucson area and often hiked trails in and around Tubac, most all the birds we saw I can see from my patio. The major difference was being able to spend time with birders from all across the country and Mexico — an interesting group of people, if you get my drift.
— kenne
‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers – That perches in the soul – And sings the tune without the words – And never stops – at all –
And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard – And sore must be the storm – That could abash the little Bird That kept so many warm –
I’ve heard it in the chillest land – And on the strangest Sea – Yet – never – in Extremity, It asked a crumb – of me.
The southern dogface is a common butterfly this time of year here in Tucson, and they are especially attracted to the Mexican Bird of Paradise blossoms.
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind;
In the primal sympathy
Which having been must ever be;
In the soothing thoughts that spring
Out of human suffering;
In the faith that looks through death,
In years that bring the philosophic mind.
— from 536. Ode Intimations of Immortality by William Wordsworth
Becoming is Superior to Being 