Vermilion Flycatcher in Cienega Creek Natural Preserve — Image by kenne
(Cienega creek originates in the Canelo Hills in Santa Cruz County, and flows northwest to an area just outside Tucson. It runs along the east side of State Route 83 and passes under Interstate 10.)
may my heart always be open to little birds who are the secrets of living whatever they sing is better than to know and if men should not hear them men are old
may my mind stroll about hungry and fearless and thirsty and supple and even if it’s sunday may i be wrong for whenever men are right they are not young
and may myself do nothing usefully and love yourself so more than truly there’s never been quite such a fool who could fail pulling all the sky over him with one smile
Raven In Cienega Creek Natural Preserve In Davidson Canyon East Of Tucson — Image by kenne
“Obviously the raven with the unquenchable itch was at it again, playing tricks on the world and its creatures. Once by air, he thought, and now by water.”
Marine Blue Butterfly On Blue-Green Algae Scum (Cienega Creek) — Image by kenne
In our recent walk along Cienega Creek, much of the creek’s surface water has begun to dry up, leaving behind pools of water perfect for the buildup of blue-green scum. We noticed a marine blue butterfly flying over one of the pools, suddenly landing a leaf floating on top of the scum.
Tarantula Hawk Near Cienega Creek — Images by kenne
As you can see, a tarantula hawk is not a hawk, but is a spider wasp (Pompilidae) that preys on tarantulas. Tarantula hawks belong to any of the many species in the genera Pepsis and Hemipepsis. They are one of the largest parasitoid wasps, using their sting to paralyze their prey before dragging it to a brood nest as living food; a single egg is laid on the prey, hatching to a larva which eats the still-living prey. Source: Wikipedia
Hutton’s Vireo is a small songbird that bears an uncanny resemblance to a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. They can be found in the Pacific coastal regions, where they tend to be richer green and yellow. However, in southeastern Arizona, they are grayer like this one I photographed recently in the Cienega Creek Preserve.
