Greater Roadrunner On A Patio Morning — Images by kenne
This time of the year in the desert is so pleasant. The mornings are cooler, so after a walk, I like to watch and listen
to the many birds coming to our feeders and water at the fountain. Occasionally, a Greater Roadrunner appears on top
of the patio wall on their way to get water at the fountain. I happened to be sitting there with my camera and got a few pictures.
Red Rock Canyon — Photo-Artistry by kenne
While Joy and Jill were in the Vegas casinos (July 6, 2023), Hugh and I went out to nearby Red Rock Canyon.
(Click on any tiled image to see them in a larger slideshow format.)
Jill, James, Hugh, Joy, and I drove seven hours from southern Califonia to Springdale, Utah, staying
at the Bubbleberry Inn outside of Zion National Park. Zion is one of our favorite national parks;
having been there several times now.
(Click on any of the tiled images to see them in a larger slideshow format.)
Looking back at the Seattle Space Needle as we depart the pier (May 27, 2023).
Cruising To Sea Images
Dinner Table On Memorial Day
Considered one of the top cattle and guest ranches in the southwest, Tanque Verde Ranch is located on 60,000 acres of
Tucson’s most breathtaking desert landscapes in the Rincon Mountains foothills adjacent to Saguaro National Park and
Coronado National Forest.
Established in 1868, Tanque Verde Ranch is recognized as the last luxurious outpost of the old west providing guests with comfortable
accommodations, unparalleled amenities, and a vast array of exciting activities, including horseback riding, mountain biking,
fishing, hiking, and more!
Originally purchased and settled as a cattle ranch by Rafael and Emilio Carillo, the land was sold to Jim Converse
in the early 1900s. It was sold in 1957 to the Bob Cote family, which has owned it ever since.
Tanque Verde became a guest ranch under Converse, who saw the move as an opportunity to attract those
interested in cowboy life. The number of guest ranches in southern Arizona has dropped
since the 1950s from around 55 to seven or eight today,
A wall in the Tanque Verde Ranch sales office.
Kiva Dinning Room
A statue near the original ranch house.
Mesquite trees shadow the path to some of the cottages.
The Desert Garden cottage area.
These days, the ranch has added hiking, tennis, mountain biking and nature programs, as well as a health spa, for its guests.
It has also brought in televisions and wireless Internet.
Photo Essay by kenne
Avi Kwa Ame National Monument Area
A few weeks ago, President Biden designated the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Southern Nevada. Stretching from
the Newberry mountains in the east to the New York, South McCullough, Castle, and Piute mountains in the west,
these lands feature dramatic peaks, scenic canyons, natural springs, sloping bajadas covered with ancient Joshua tree
forests, unique grasslands, and a rich history of rock art and other cultural sites.
Avi Kwa Ame National Monument Area
While Joy and her sisters were spending time together in Laughlin, I drove to Spirit Mountain in the nearby
Newberry mountains, which is called Avi Kwa Ame by Yuman-Speaking Tribes.
(Fun Fact: If measured by the state with the number of named mountain ranges, then the distinction goes to Nevada,
according to a member of Blurtit.com, an online question-and-answer community,
is the most mountainous in the Lower 48.)
Avi Kwa Ame National Monument Area
My visit to this area was just to the eastern edge of the Monument.
Avi Kwa Ame National Monument Area
Avi Kwa Ame National Monument Area
Avi Kwa Ame National Monument Area
Avi Kwa Ame National Monument Area
The road I took in the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument was very primitive, making access to my BMW coupe very difficult.
The road was primarily fine gravel, making going up steep inclines challenging.
As a result, I had to turn back before getting to Spirit Mountain. Even so, I plan on going back sometime soon.
Wildflowers in Picacho Peak State Park — Images by kenne
Three Cochise Stronghold Panoramas by kenne
Cochise Stronghold is located west of Sunsites, Arizona, in the Dragoon Mountains at an elevation of 5,000 ft.
This beautiful woodland area lies in a protective rampart of granite domes and sheer cliffs, once the refuge
of the great Apache Chief, Cochise, and his people. Located within the Coronado National Forest, it is managed
by the Douglas Ranger District. — Source: https://cochisestronghold.com/
A Short Walk In East End Park, Kingwood, Texas (December 28, 2022) — Images by kenne
After getting caught in a sudden rainstorm the day before, it was nice to see blue skies on the morning of the 28th.
American White Pelicans White Over in East Texas — Photo Gallery by kenne
Lakes, marshes, salt bays. In breeding season mostly inland, nesting on isolated islands in lakes and feeding on shallow lakes, rivers, marshes.
Feeding areas may be miles from nesting sites. Also breeds locally on coastal islands. Flocks in migration stop on lakes, rivers.
Winters mainly along coast, on shallow, protected bays and estuaries, also on large lakes in warm climates. Source: audubon.org
I tried working in an hour walking the East End Park trails before a forecasted storm.
The sky was partly cloudy as I neared the lake.
An image from close to the ground looking toward the lake.
Cloud reflections on the water.
This image of the sky and clouds reflecting off the water is deceptive because dark clouds were already beginning to build up behind me.
By the time I reach the park parking lot I was soaked. (December 29, 20022) — Images by kenne
This Morning a Broad-banded Swallowtail Visited Our Potted Lemon Plant on the Patio — Images by kenne
Western Giant Swallowtail — Images by kenne
Swallowtail
— CharlesC
Gila Woodpeckers Frequently Visit Our Patio (July 10, 2022) — Images by kenne
Having Water and Food Available Daily Attracts Many Birds
“Gila Woodpeckers are grayish brown birds with brilliant black-and-white barring on the wings, back, and tail.
In flight, the outer wings are black with a crescent-shaped white patch at the base of the primary feathers.
Males have a red patch in the center of the crown.” –– Source: allaboutbirds.org
We haven’t seen too many Pyrrhuoxias coming to the feeder and fountain this summer,
but this guy is interested in cooling off from our triple-digit temperatures here in Tucson.
This Pyrrhuoxia looks like an immature male because of the dark bill. Adults have a yellow bill.
— kenne
Pyrrhuloxia (July 17, 2022) — Images by kenne
