On this 4th of July morning, I observed a Cooper’s Hawk bathing in our patio fountain. Many birds drink from the fountain and occasionally will splash water on themselves. However, this morning was the first time I witnessed a hawk bathing in the water.
Looking Down Through Chino Canyon To The Coachella Valley Below (Greater Palm Springs) — Image by kenne
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway — Photo Essay by kenne (Click On Any Image To See In A Slideshow Format
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway—the world’s largest rotating tram car—travels over two-and-one-half miles along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon, transporting riders to the pristine wilderness of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. During a ten-minute journey, tram cars rotate slowly, offering picturesque and spectacular vistas of the valley floor below. Once reaching the Mountain Station—elevation 8,516 feet—enjoy two restaurants, observation decks, natural history museum, two documentary theaters, a gift shop, and over 50 miles of hiking trails.
Most people, when asked to identify a yellow spring flower would probably identify daffodils. But, in the sunny Tucson area, most people would say the prickly pear cactus blossom, or the palo verde blossoms.
Yellow is a warm and friendly color and most associated with is the sun. During spring, it almost seems like the sun changes its light from a cold white to a warm and glowy yellow.
I’ve taken many roadrunner photos in the almost 12 years we have lived in Tucson. This photo essay is representative of the images. Last October, Hugh Poland and I spent some time photographing wildlife in southern Arizona, and he was most disappointed in not seeing any Greater Roadrunners. However, he’s planning an August trip to attend a Tucson Audubon Societyevent here in southeast Arizona. So maybe he will see and photograph some roadrunners. (Click on any image to view it in a slideshow format.)
— kenne
The Ole Roadrunner
(For Sara from Uncle Johnny)
Want to tell you a story
Bout a bird that can run.
He can fly up in trees, but
To race is more fun.
He’s a runner at heart
He lurks like a trickster
Darts out on the road
Goes faster and faster.
He’s sleek, and he’s quick
Keep watch and don’t blink
Out he will jump
And be gone in a wink.
Not easy to catch
Roadrunners are wary
To chase is to fail
Ask Wile E Coyote’!
Birds like to sing
To cheep and to peep.
This one is different
He likes to Beep.
So when out in the car
Keep your eye on the road
If you see something running
It might be this Ole Bird.
Beep Beep!
— John Deen
Greater Roadrunner — Southeast Arizona Images by kenne
Yesterday, I spent an afternoon with my friend Tom at the Sweetwater Wetlands, photographing waterfowl. We were hoping to see some dragonflies, but it’s still too early with overnight temperatures near freezing here in the desert.
— kenne
The Images include Mallards, American Coots, and American Wigeons — Images by kenne
Last week James, Jill, and Hugh visited us for six days from Houston. In addition to taking in sites around Tucson, we went north to Sedona, Flagstaff, and The Grand Canyon. Here are a few images from the Sedona area.
Sullivan’s Island Life-Saving Station (August 12, 2021) — Images by kenne
The United States Life Saving Service, USLSS, was conceived out of a dire need for a lifesaving network. Until 1878, the only source for those in trouble at sea were lighthouse keepers, volunteers, and private vessels that happened to be nearby.
Images by kenne (August 14, 2021) — Click On Any Image To See In Slideshow Format.
After spending time driving and sightseeing in the southeast (as COVID-19 was spiking through the area) we made it to Richmond, VA, where we spent time with family (Jason, April, Cayden, Cayla, Audrey, and Robin). This was our first opportunity to spend time with our new grandchildren Cayla and Cayden.
Entrance To The National Voting Rights Museum & Institute in Salma, ALabama (August 10, 2021)– Image by kenne
Located in the Historic District of Selma, Alabama at the foot of the famous Edmund Pettus Bridge, the scene of “Bloody Sunday,” the National Voting Rights Museum & Institute is the cornerstone of the contemporary struggle for voting rights and human dignity.
This was a special stop on our August Road Trip.
Images by kenne (Click On Any Gallery Photo for Larger View.)
One of our stops in Texas after leaving Pecos was the the Texas Sandhills State Park. Here are a few images from our brief stay in the park. — Images by kenne