The spring weather in the Sonoran Desert is alluring, with beautiful blue skies and temperatures in the upper 70s. However, many drought-resistant plants are dying, very few if any wildflowers are blooming due to a troubling draught in the Sonoran Desert. What makes the Sonoran Desert so diverse and beautiful are two rainy seasons, summer monsoon storms and steady winter rains. The two seasons still exist, but half the normal amount of rain.
— kenne
Loma Alta and Coyote Wash Trails (March 19, 2021) — Photo Essay by kenne
This art is from a photograph of a canyon wall and like all things, it is living and has intelligence. But, we like to think that it’s just a bunch of rocks and minerals, therefore not alive. When I took the photograph I saw a wall alive, no different than a saguaro cactus, and in the moment its being. By doing so, I brought my experience to the picture, adding color, light, and contrast enhancing the natural beauty of the world around us. It is alive and has intelligence.
Jim and John Walking to the Broadway Trailhead In Saguaro National Park. — Images by kenne
Yesterday morning and this morning, it’s been cool enough to consider hiking in the desert. So, when Tom called yesterday and asked me to go hiking, I felt a rush of energy pinned up since the spring. Normally the hot desert days drive us up to Mt. Lemmon to hit the mountain trails. However, this summer, the trails have been closed because of the Big Horn Fire. So, this morning Jim, John, Tom, and I met at the usual meeting place outside the Bear Canyon branch of the Pima County Library to mask-up and carpool to one of the many park trailheads.
Here in Tucson, we are not currently experiencing the orange sky the forest fires have created in California. But, we have a haze covered sky coming from the many fires in the western states, making it easy to look directly at the sun.
Signs of our prolonged drought are everywhere. Even normally, drought-resistant plants are struggling.
We spent about 2 1/2 hours hiking various trails and washes in the Park. My friends have been hiking these trails much longer than I, and if you are wondering, I’m the youngest of us.
After a day of rain in the Tucson basin and snow on Mt. Lemmon, Tom, John, Jim and I hiked the Wildhorse Trail in the Saguaro National Park-East.
Click Here To See More Wildhorse Trail Images by kenne
Some critic tried to put me down —
“Your poems lack the Basic Truth of Tao”
And I recall the old-times
Who were poor and didn’t care.
I have to laugh at him,
He misses the point entirely,
Men like that
Ought to stick to making money.
Morning Sunlight in the Saguaro National Park – East — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Santa Catalina Mountains from Saguaro National Park — Image by kenne
Sunrise On Wildhorse Trail (Saguaro National Park – East) — Image by kenne
Twin Towers (Saguaro Cactus’ In Saguaro National Park-East, January 3, 2020)
A Morning Hike In Saguaro National Park Hike-East (01/03/20)– Image by kenne
“See You On The Trail” (Saguaro National Park, 01/03/20) — Image by kenne
Becoming is Superior to Being 