Archive for the ‘Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists’ Category
SCVN Friday Hike on Esperero Trail (February 17, 2017) — Image by kenne
A mostly cloudy morning with
sunlight breaking through
over the Tucson basin as we
begin our hike into the mountains
heading into rattlesnake canyon,
first hiking up, then down through
three canyons creating a
breathtaking rollercoaster hike.
Starting as on group, the pace
soon divides us into three groups
as hikers settle in on their own pace
created by elevation changes
and stopping to shed layers of clothing
as the temperatures increase
and the sun begins to break through
deep blue cracks in the desert sky.
— kenne
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The SCVN Friday Hike last week was to Hutch’s Pool. This is a hike that is about eight miles from Tram Stop 9, which saves another eight miles by not hiking from the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center. About twenty hikers were hiking the Sabino Canyon Trail to the intersection of West Fork and East Fork trails. The East Fork goes to Sycamore Canyon, the West Fork to Hutch’s Pool. There are two water crossing to Hutch’s Pool, the first providing the lesser challenges of the two. Still, on this day the water was swift, just below the knee and ice cold.
Because of recent rains and snowmelt on Mt. Lemmon, the water flow was much higher than normal causing most hikers to turn back or take the East Fork to Sycamore Canyon. Five hikers decided to go on to Hutch’s Pool. The images and video or of their return crossing at the creek near where the Fork trail connects to the Sabino Canyon Trail.
Crossing Creek On West Fork Trail — Images by kenne
(Click on any of the images for a larger view in a slideshow format.)
Video by kenne
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West Fork Trail Leaving Hutch’s Pool — Panorama Image by kenne
“Mountains should be climbed with as little effort as possible and without desire. The reality of your own nature should determine the speed. If you become restless, speed up. If you become winded, slow down. You climb the mountain in an equilibrium between restlessness and exhaustion. Then, when you’re no longer thinking ahead, each footstep isn’t just a means to an end but a unique event in itself. This leaf has jagged edges. This rock looks loose. To live only for some future goal is shallow. It’s the sides of the mountain which sustain life, not the top. Here’s where things grow.
But of course, without the top, you can’t have any sides. It’s the top that defines the sides. So on we go—we have a long way—no hurry—just one step after the next—with a little Chautauqua for entertainment. Mental reflection is so much more interesting than TV it’s a shame more people don’t switch over to it. They probably think what they hear is unimportant, but it never is.”
― from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values by Robert M. Pirsig
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Ruby-crowned Kinglet — Image by kenne
The trail was quiet
The breeze was calm.
What is that little bird
With all that energy?
Wings constantly flicking
Chattering out his songs
The hiker pulls out
His nature guide.
Was this nervous fliting
Bird just passing through?
Looks like a kinglet,
Possible a ruby-crowned
Spending the winter
In Sabino Canyon.
— kenne
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Seven Falls in Bear Canyon — January 2012 Images by kenne
This Friday the SCVN hike will be to Seven Falls in Bear Canyon. The trail crosses the creek coming from Seven Falls seven times and there should be plenty of flowing water at the falls.
kenne
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Naturalist David Lazaroff and several other naturalists with the 2011 SCVN Training Class, Day 1 — Image by kenne
I was a member of the 2011 Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN) class. During the fall training I wrote the following poem, posting it on this blog:
STANDING AT THE ALTAR OF NATURE
When we stand
at the altar of nature,
we stand with the greats;
Ralph Waldo Emerson,
Henry David Thoreau,
and John Muir,
each having helped define
our relationship
with nature and language –
“every natural fact is a symbol
of some spiritual fact,
. . . words are signs of natural facts.”
Nature’s beauty becomes
a source of spiritual energy
connecting all things
into a universal whole
with the energy of our
thoughts and will.
We stand at nature’s altar
not separate from her,
seeing her in the flowers,
insects, animals, mountains,
creating a unified landscape
of our inward and outward senses.
Like all relationships,
the experience depends
on the degree of harmony
between us and nature,
therefore becoming a gift
granted while walking with nature
as she is embraced in our minds –
Enlighten, she shares her secrets,
making the universe more “transparent.”
Yet the gift may only offer a glimpse,
to be shared in images and words,
charming all living things.
Commenting on my poem, SCVN member, Walt Tornow, wrote that my poem ”. . . captures beautifully my feelings about being in the mountains.” He went on to share the following:
GOD, GRACE, AND GRATITUDE
Finding God in the wilderness …
- The majesty of our mountains, the magnificence of views/ vistas they afford, and the splendor and munificence of the many gifts that nature has to offer
- The awe and humility that comes from being witness to the grandeur of it all, juxtaposed with realizing the relative smallness and fleetingness of our existence
- Never feeling or being alone … lots of company by nature’s creatures, and taking in the beauty of nature’s show
- Feeling vulnerable, yet trusting, being in the wilderness — potential prey to wildlife, and exposed to the elements
- Experiencing awe, joy and inspiration by being here
- Feeling connected … becoming one with myself, with nature, and the universe
- Finding peace, serenity, and sense of holiness … my place of worship and meditation
Here for the grace of God am I …
Grateful to be, to be here, and be given the opportunity and capacity to enjoy the many gifts/ blessings around me.
– Walt Tornow
If you feel our passion for nature, we want to share it with you by inviting you to become a Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalist.
We are currently recruiting people who share our passion for nature
to take part in our 2017 SCVN Training Class from the beginning of October to January.
After completing the training you will start next January teaching kindergarten and/or elementary students approximately 1 morning per week. All training curriculum materials provide for an excellent learning experience, along with many guest nature experts.
Additionally, you can take part in adult Public Interpretations nature programs about Sabino Canyon.
You can learn more about this wonderful volunteer nature program and get an application by visiting our website
Please pass on this information on to persons you will be interested in becoming an SCVN member. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have — kenneturner@gmail.com
kenne
Naturalist, Gwen Swanson, demonstrates “panning” to students in the “Strike It Rich” program.
This creekside activity allows children to learn about the difference between rocks and minerals
by panning for garnets in the sand along Sabino Creek, and the importance of water in forming the canyon.
Image by kenne
SCVN Training nature walk with naturalist, Bill Kaufman (Fall 2011) — Image by kenne
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Yesterday’s SCVN Friday Hikes was Pontatoc Ridge Trail. As we gathered at the trail head parking lot (at the end of Alvernon Way), it became apparent that we would need to create two hiking groups. Elizabeth Herron, Jeff Ornstein and I would guide Group 1, Dan Collins and Bill Kaufman Group 2. Including the guides, each group had 17 hikers, with a total of 39 public participants. The plan was that Group 1 would begin the SCVN hike about ten minutes before Group 2.
The Alvernon Way parking lot serves as the starting point for three trails; Finger RockTrail, Pontatoc Ridge Trail, and Pontatoc Ridge Trail. The hike starts on the Finger Rock Trail at the end of Alvernon Way. A few minutes after beginning the trail splits and the Pontatoc Ridge Trail (#410) diverges off to the east.
Look along the ridge-line to see the Pontatoc Ridge Saddle, where we should have been.
The trail takes hikers into the Pontatoc Canyon for about a mile where there’s another junction; the Pontatoc Trail goes left, while the Pontatoc Ridge Trail swings right and begins its climb to the ridge above. There is a direction sign at the junction, but the lead guide, me, didn’t read it and everyone else assumed he was taking the correct trail to Pontatoc Ridge Trail — wrong! If you don’t read the sign, it’s easy not to notice another trail veering off to the right.
Hikers pointing toward the Pontatoc Ridge.
We continued hiking up through the canyon. Occasionally I would look up at the ridge thinking the trail would begin the climb the ridge wall. Instead, the trail starting going to the left as we began a steep climb out of the canyon. As we continued to climb out of the canyon, it was becoming apparent that we were on the wrong trail.
At one point I commented, “Even though I had hiked the trail several times before, there are parts that I don’t remember.” And, for a good reason, I had never hiked the Pontatoc Trail.
We finally came to a relatively flat place we could stop, rest and assess the situation. It was then that I pointed out the saddle on the ridge across the canyon as where we suppose to be. It was my way of assuring everyone that we were not lost, we just took the wrong trail several miles back.
On our return, we stopped at the sign we didn’t read earlier on in the hike.
Of course, I was the blunt of jokes and laughter. In the end, everyone seemed to enjoy the adventure lead by “Wrong-way Kenne.” I know it’s a story I will long remember.
kenne
When the trail begins to look queer,
And that lump in your throat turns to fear,
There’s no need to dread
If you keep a straight head,
And bring the group back to “You Are Here”.
— Dan Collins
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The Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists training class went on a bird walk this morning (January 2, 2017), led by Jean and Mark Hengesbaugh.
SCVN Training Class
Cactus Wren
Western Bluebird
SCVN Training Class
Western Bluebird
Western Bluebird
Western Bluebirds
Western Bluebird
Western Bluebird
Cactus Wren Nest
Cactus Wren
Cactus Wren
Western Bluebirds
Images by kenne (Click on any image for a larger view in a slideshow format.)
Jean recorded the following eBird list of observed birds:
Sabino Dam and downstream riparian, Pima, Arizona, US
Jan 2, 2017 7:37 AM – 8:46 AM Protocol: Traveling 1.0 mile(s) 13 species
Gambel’s Quail 6
Great Blue Heron 1
Mourning Dove 2
Anna’s Hummingbird 1
Gila Woodpecker 4
Verdin 2
Cactus Wren 2
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher 2
Western Bluebird 10
Curve-billed Thrasher 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
Phainopepla 10
House Finch 6
The Hengesbaugh’s lead a bird walk for the Tucson Audubon the 1st Saturday of each month in Sabino Canyon. (Must pre-register through Tucson Audubon.)
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Hiking the La Milagrosa / Agua Caliente Canyon Loop is a popular hike offered by the Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN). The 6.5-mile loop takes the hiker up the ridgelines and down into two canyons located on the eastern edge of the Santa Catalina Mountains. We usually hike the loop clockwise, taking the Milarosa trail first looping back through the Agua Caliente Canyon, but this morning (December 9, 2016) we reversed the loop hike thereby providing a different perspective for those of us who usually hike the loop clockwise.
The vistas from the ridges provide hikers beautiful panoramas of Tucson, the Catalina Foothills and the Santa Catalina Mountains through which the lower segment of the Catalina Highway can be seen. Since this was a beautiful clear morning, I decided to take the time to take photos that could be merged into panoramas in Photoshop. ENJOY!
kenne
Images by kenne
“When you travel towards your objective
be sure to pay attention to the path.
The path teaches us the best way to arrive
and enriches us while we are traveling alone it.”
— Paulo Coelho
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West Fork Trail
Taking a Break at Hutch’s Pool
Phil having a bite to eat
Hutch’s Pool
Hutch’s Pool
Hutch’s Pool
Hutch’s Pool
Unknown Jaw Bone
Daughter & Mother from New York
Returning on West Fork Trail
Desert Brum
Desert Brum
Fall Colors in Sabino Basin
Fall Colors in Sabino Basin
Fall Colors in Sabino Basin
West Fork Trail
West Fork Trail
End of the trail
Upper Sabino Canyon Panorama
November 18, 2016, SCVN Friday hike was to Hutch’s Pool, one of our favorite hikes in the Santa Catalina Mountains. Here are some of the photos for your review. Click on any of the images to see a larger view in a slideshow format. Enjoy! — Images by kenne
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SCVN Thursday Elementary Program Naturalists — L-R: Debbie Bird, Pat Fox (New Trainee), David Dean, Bob Veranes, Phil Bentley, Maureen Hutter, Jerry Bird, David Engelsberg, Becky Duncan, Nancy Murphy, Jim Burton (New Trainee), Kenne Turner
— Image by kenne
Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN) begun their Fall Elementary School Field-trip program this week. A second grade teacher selected the “Web of Life” program for today’s field-trip.
— kenne
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Lizard Walk — Desert Spiny Image by kenne
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Before Image by kenne
This is a before snapshot of soft feather pappus grass in and area where Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN)would be removing invasive plants. Our focus would be to clear this area where we teach elementary children about nature, October through April.
After Image by kenne
This after image illustrates how effective invasive plants are at crowding out native plants.
Rattlesnake Image by kenne
Removing invasive plants requires a lot of caution, keeping an eye out for rattlesnakes. There is a western diamondback rattlesnake in this image, which is a good example of how well the blend into grass. The snake is coiled center-right in this image.
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Pampas Grass In Sabino Canyon — Image by kenne
For many, pampas grass is an ornamental landscape plant, for others it’s an environmentally dangerous plant that crowds out indigenous desert plants and can become kneeling for wildfires. Sabino Canyon has a lot of pampas grass, fountain grass, buffel grass and other invasive plants. The battle to remove these invasive plants continues on National Public Lands Day as Sabino Stewards (Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists) and community members will be digging, pulling, and bagging invasive plants near the Sabino Creek area. This activity is one of several activities that will be taking place in the Coronado National Forest September 24th on Public Lands Day. All fees are waived for the day.
— kenne
Once an invasive species arrives, it’s about impossible yo get rid of it.
— Sean Hanna
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Modern Footprints On The Trail — Image by kenne
