Bee On Fairy Duster Wildflower (July 16, 2021) — Image by kenne
The draft of this posting was done in late July before we went on our August road trip.
However, many photos later, just today, I noticed this unpublished draft —
Better late than never.
— kenne
Luke, A White Crested Phainopepla — Image by kenne
This is the time of year some SCVN members state watching for the return of “Luke” to Sabino Canyon. Phainopeplas generally spend
their summers at the higher elevations of the Santa Cantilina Mountains, returning to the canyon to feed off the desert mistletoe berries
in the canyon.
What makes Luke unique is his white crest. For over eleven years, Luke can be spotted in the same general area in the canyon. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, we don’t know if Luke returned last year since many of us were not doing our usual nature walks in Sabino Canyon.
Phainopeplas usually perch high on canyon mesquite trees. They have digestive tracts specialized for eating mistletoe fruit.
These berries are low in nutrients, so the birds have to consume lots of them. The berries spend only about 12 minutes in a
Phainopepla’s intestine, and the birds may eat 1,100 berries in a day.
A singular bird of the Southwest, they are a brilliant sight in flight. Males are silky black and slender, with an elegant crest and bold white
wing patches that appear when the bird takes wing. Phainopeplas nearest common ancestors are the waxwings, which also have a glossy,
silky look to their plumage.
Morning Clouds Over The Santa Catalina Mountains — Panorama by kenne
Common Mullein — Image by kenne
Esperero Trail in Sabino Canyon — Image by kenne
Sabino Creek Dam — HDR Image by kenne
Western Sneezeweed — Image by kenne
— from The Flower That Smiles Today by Percy Shelley
Sneezeweed Art by kenne
Green to blue
Yellow to orange
New to old
— kenne
Mt. Lemmon Columbine — Image by kenne
I hold no preference among flowers,
so long as they are wild, free, spontaneous.
Santa Catalina Indian Paintbrush — Image by kenne
Love is like wildflowers;
It’s often found in the most unlikely places.
Hiking Up Box Camp Trail In The Santa Catalina Mountains — Image by kenne
— kenne
Golden Columbine On Box Camp Trail (Santa Catalina Mountains) — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Mountain rains
bring out wildflowers
yellow and orange
in a sea green.
— kenne
Greater Roadrunner (August 3, 2021) — Painting by kenne
Cutleaf Evening Primrose — Image by kenne
Before going on our August road trip I created a number of draft posting that I never posted.
This one is from August 2, 2021 — doing some housekeeping.
— kenne
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
— Richard Feynman
View from Phoneline Trail In Lower Sabino Canyon (Photomerge of Three Images) — Panorama by kenne
