On the morning of April 4, 2023, the creator of the Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists organization, David Wentworth Lazaroff gave a talk on his new book, Picturing Sabino.
Picturing Sabino represents three decades of work on the history of Sabino Canyon.
David became fascinated by Sabino Canyon while working there as an environmental education specialist from 1977 to 1986.
Picturing Sabino tells the story of the canyon’s transformation from a barely known oasis, miles from a small nineteenth-century town, into an immensely popular recreation area on the edge of a modern metropolis. Covering a century of change, from 1885 to 1985, this work rejoices in the canyon’s natural beauty and also relates the ups and downs of its protection and enjoyment.
This morning on the Plant and Bird Walk, we could see a small flock of Eastern Bluebirds, none close enough to get any good photos, but more will be coming to Sabino Canyon because of all the desert mistletoe berries in the canyon. Till then, the berries are attracting plenty of Phainopeplas. — kenne
Pandemic Kids (1st Graders) In Sabino Canyon Recreation Area — Image by kenne
In the last week of October, Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN) began offering nature classes to elementary school children four days a week, the first time since March 2020. The number of children per day is a maximum of 30 students that are divided into six groups. Masks are required except where social distancing is possible. The children have been perfect about wearing masks, even though it may not be a school requirement. Some field trips have been canceled due to COVID outbreaks at the schools. All the SCVN members have been vaccinated. Still, some naturalists have tested positive and have been self-quarantining.
I took this image in September 2011 while on my first Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN) nature walk. I was so appalled that someone cut off the top of this young (probably 35-40 years old) saguaro cactus.
Sadly, over the years, I have frequently seen this type of vandalism.
This Image, taken July 27, 2021, illustrates the resiliency of nature. — Image by kenne
Nature uses only the longest threads to weave her patterns, so that each small piece of her fabric reveals the organization of the entire tapestry.
I was originally scheduled to lead the SCVN Turkey Run Trail hike tomorrow. However, because of some nagging leg problems, I had to bow out. Instead, I did hike Turkey Run with two friends (Tom and John) last Friday. Usually, by this time of year, there are plenty of wildflowers, but not this year. The gallery contains cow parsnip, New Mexico Locust, and silverpuff.
SCVN Friday Hikes In The Santa Catalina Mountains To Resume This Summer — Image from 2017
The last Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalist (SCVN) hike was March 2020. The National Forest Service has authorized the SCVN to begin Friday Hikes this June on Mt. Lemmon. The Forest Service will require all volunteers to wear masks at all times while volunteering. The groups will be smaller and maintain social distancing.
Elementary School Class In Sabino Canyon (February, 2012) — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Since March of 2020 Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN) have not bee working with students on field trips in the Tucson area. We are hoping to start offering nature classes again this fall. Meanwhile, SCVN has developed a series of videos called The Canyon Classroom covering some of the “Fun Facts” covering the history, geology, ecology, and wildlife of Sabino Canyon.
‘Thank You’ Art from Children Who Went On Field Trips To Sabino Canyon Before The Pandemic
It has now been over a year since teachers have brought students to Sabino Canyon — they are dearly missed! We are hoping that by October, our normal five days a week schedule will return.
Meanwhile, Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists have been busy creating videos for the Sabino Canyon – The Canyon Classroom. Check it out and Subscribe.
Teaching Elementary School Students Geology in Sabino Canyon (January 2019)
Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN) stopped offering their Elementary School Nature program in March of 2020 because of the pandemic. Since teachers are no longer able to bring their students to the canyon, SCVN has begun creating a series of videos, Sabino Canyon, The Canyon Classroom, and placed them on YouTube.
Several videos have been created to date. The most recent one is Harvester Ants.
Naturalist Jeff Hahn with Elementary School Students — Images by kenne
Fall Colors Along Sabino Creek Hiking to Hutch’s Pool — Panorama by kenne
One of my favorite hikes is to Hutch’s Pool. In the past, the Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN) would guide a fall and spring hike, each hike having a many as 15 hikers. However, like so many things, not this fall because of the pandemic. The trail is open, but not for groups.
— kenne
* * * * *
I bear many scars,
but I also carry with me moments
that would not have happened
if I had not dared
to go beyond my limits.
— Paulo Coelho
Crossing Sabino Creek Below Hutch’s Pool — Image by kenne
Mountain Wildflowers of Southern Arizona — A Field Guide to the Santa Catalina Mountains and Other Nearby Ranges by Frank S. Rose
When I began hiking the mountains of southern Arizona, I always had my camera with me. If you follower of this blog, you know there are many photos of beautiful mountain wildflowers, most of which I could not identify. However, Frank S. Rose made it easy for me to put names with the photos with the publication of his field guide in 2011.
For years before the guide’s publication, Frank spent summers painting watercolor images of the wildflowers. But, much like myself, he experienced difficulty identifying the wildflowers. It wasn’t until Frank got to know Joan Tedford, Bob Porter and other Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists spending time with them on their weekly nature walks, that he began to work on his photographic field guide.
Thank you, Frank, for your many hours and miles of walking, searching, photographing and learning about flowers from which so many of us have benefited.
— kenne
Joan Tedford, Debbie Bird, Edi Moore, Heather Murphy, and Frank Rose (May 2, 2016) — Images by kenne
In this video, Frank Rose tells the story of how he met Joan Tedford.
Becoming is Superior to Being 