Monsoon Sunset — Image by kenne
With just a few days left in July, Tucson has already received 5.71 inches of rain, making this the fourth-wettest July.
I have recorded 7 inches on our patio in the Catalina Foothills. This amount of rain will help Southern Arizona recover
from the ongoing drought, improving from a D4-exceptional drought to a D3-extreme drought (National Weather Service).
There are indications that monsoon activity will start uo again toward the end of the week.
Monkeyflowers On Mt. Lemmon (June 11, 2021) — Image by kenne
— kenne
Succulent Graveyard (Normally drought resistant plants having trouble surviving.) — Images by kenne
When we moved to Tucson eleven years ago, a small patch of succulents (a type of aloe) grew on the rocky slope next to the house. I have not watered them, but the past year we have had very little rain; many have died, and those not dead the tips have dried up in an attempt to save the plant. There were no flowers this spring.
So, I decided to pull up each plant. For several days I spent early mornings pulling up each aloe plant. Now I have to bag what remains.
— kenne
Cowpen Daisy In Tanque Verde Wash (Tucson, Arizona) — Image by kenne
— kenne
Coyote Fence — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Cactus Blossoms — Image by kenne
Even though the southwest is experiencing a mega drought, nature finds a way to continue life cycles.
“Drought conditions in the West, particularly the desert Southwest, have intensified over the past 45 years,
with less precipitation and longer and more frequent dry spells between storms. The Southwestern deserts
that include Tucson were slammed the hardest by far.” Arizona Daily Star
Straggling Saguaro — Photo-Artistry by kenne
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
Dead Cholla (Sabino Canyon Recreation Area) — Image by kenne
The continued drought in the desert southwest is taking its toll.
Patio Lemon Tree — Image by kenne
We have had a potted Meyer lemon plant on our patio for several years.
We fertilize and water it regularly. The record-setting desert heat this year
has been rough on our small plant. Some of the lemons formed splits in the surface.
This is the first year we have experienced the splitting. In addition to the hotter
than normal temperatures, we have had a little over two inches of rain,
which is about four inches less than normal for this time of year.
This year we still have 15 lemons on the plant, which is not a lot for this plant.
A couple years back we harvested 55 lemons.
— kenne
The Drought Continues In The Desert Southwest — Photo-Artistry by kenne
— from A Passing by Pattiann Rogers
The Oasis On Lake Travis — 2002 Image by kenne
Today, voters in Texas have an opportunity to help determine how the state will be able to fund future water needs, especially considering recent trends in population and climate. As reported in StateImpact, “The state’s reservoirs are currently just over 60 percent full.” The continued drought throughout the southwest continues to worsen an already dire situation.
Recently we were visiting family and friends in the Houston area and on our return trip to Tucson, spent a couple of days in the Austin area. Having heard how low Lake Travis is, we went to The Oasis On Lake Travis for lunch, a scenic location we had visited several time over the years.
Lake Travis is currently 33% full. — Images by kenne
The Oasis, because of its high venue over Lake Travis has fared much better than many businesses on the lake. Another well-known restaurant on the lake, Carlos’n Charlie’s, open for nearly twenty years, shut down September 2, 2013. Jeff Beckham wrote in the NY Times article, “With Lakes Drying Up, Businesses are Parched,”
“The closing of Carlos’n Charlie’s was the latest and most visible business impact of the drought. In the past, thousands of patrons would arrive by boat and car to watch the restaurant’s annual Fourth of July fireworks show and listen to live music. But the boat docks have been unusable for more than three years.”
One of the Oasis decks well above the current lake level.
“In 2011, a coalition of governments, nonprofits and businesses commissioned a study to calculate a baseline economic and fiscal value to the area surrounding Lake Travis. The Lake Travis Economic Impact Report found that when the lake level dropped below 660 feet, visitor spending dropped by up to $33.8 million, resulting in up to 241 lost jobs and $6.1 million in lost wages a year. Lake Travis has been below 660 feet since April 2011, and the current level is about 620 feet.” (NY Times)
The last time Lake Travis was full was 2007.
Lunch-Time at the Oasis (October 28, 2013)
Currently, public boat ramps are closed on the lake and most residential boat decks are hundreds of feet away from the residence, high and dry.
“High and Dry” On Lake Travis
Jeff Beckham quoted Pete Clark, co-owner of Carlos’n Charlie’s — “It’s kind of like a sick friend in the hospital right now, but it’s still a friend and it’s still a great place. And it will be again.”
Let’s hope he’s correct, but like it or not, the odds are not good.
kenne
Aspen Draw Trail On Mount Lemmon — Images by kenne
While hiking the very dusty Aspen Draw Trail on Mount Lemmon I saw my first columbine flower of the summer. It was one of the few wildflowers currently blooming on the mountain. It is very dry in the Santa Catalinas. Much of the trail has a top layer of gray power dust. The summer rains are needed to help bring on the wildflowers. The few that have appeared are short in height and the blooms aren’t lasting very long.
Last summer this blog probably had too many columbine images because they are so irresistible. I hope I will soon be able to post a beautiful fresh-looking columbine.
Here are two links to posts last June:
https://kenneturner.com/2012/06/14/capturing-the-moment-golden-columbine/
https://kenneturner.com/2012/07/03/one-of-my-favorite-wildflowers-golden-columbine/
kenne
Images by kenne
New Mexico groundsel
New Mexico Thistle
Perry Penstemon
Mariposa Lily — Images by kenne
kenne
Image by kenne
We are alone with thoughts, but those thoughts include others who have become part of our being as we meet new traveling companions each day. Here I’m moved to thought as David shares his knowledge of a sacred land at the river edge of Tanuri Ridge. Now I remember his words, many of them, but I add my own words, telling of what I heard, also showing what I did with what I heard. For you see, I have learned that my camera is an instrument that has taught me how to see without a camera.
kenne
