SCVN Friday Hike on Esperero Trail (February 17, 2017) — Image by kenne
A mostly cloudy morning with sunlight breaking through over the Tucson basin as we begin our hike into the mountains heading into rattlesnake canyon, first hiking up, then down through three canyons creating a breathtaking rollercoaster hike.
Starting as on group, the pace soon divides us into three groups as hikers settle in on their own pace created by elevation changes and stopping to shed layers of clothing as the temperatures increase and the sun begins to break through deep blue cracks in the desert sky.
New SCVN Naturalists and Their Mentors Wrap-up Training(January 11, 2016) — Image by kenne
The temperature was near thirty-two degrees at the Cactus Picnic Area in Sabino Canyon where the final day of training was scheduled. After spending time demonstrating some of their new skills, the new naturalists were treated to a surprise party at Rattlesnake Canyon Picnic Area near Sabino creek.
Graduation will take place this coming Saturday (January 16, 2016).
Catclaw Acacia Blossoms In Rattlesnake Canyon — Images by kenne
(Click on any of the tiled images to see larger view.)
REBIRTH
Nature’s beautiful creature, trapping sunlight in your black-veined wings, effortlessly floating on air, starting the same as any towering homo sapiens. Oddly, our difference are not that great From an egg so tiny you’re scarcely visible, you grow quite quickly into something not so attractive, with one goal in mind — to satisfy your insatiable hunger. An ungainly consumer of the Earth’s goods, you are voracious in your endeavor to have it all — you leave stripped carnage in your wake, trying to quell your need for more and will have to discard your colorful garments many times over, growing fat and complacent with the daily consummations of life, before you see death. Inevitably, we humans will complete that last leg of our journey to undiscovered grandeur just as you, the caterpillar, will climb a wall, hook your silk into immobility and wrap yourself in Death’s shawl, not knowing what beauty awaits you in that rebirth to fantastic flight.
Looking Up Sabino Canyon from Rattlesnake Canyon Trail Head
Sabino Canyon Riparian Area
Sabino Canyon Riparian Area
Sabino Canyon Riparian Area — Images by kenne
A chilly morning rain failed as the SCVN Trainees huddled under a ramada in the Desert Picnic area in Sabino Canyon. Our regular Monday morning class took place at the site of the kindergarten nature program. The canyon presented a canopy of dramatic cloud formations as the rain moved on through.
The above panoramic photos were created by merging 2-3 wide-angle images (taken using a Nikkor 12-24 lens) in Photoshop.
SCVN Friday Hike on Esperero Trail (February 17, 2017) — Image by kenne
New SCVN Naturalists and Their Mentors Wrap-up Training(January 11, 2016) — Image by kenne
Rattlesnake Canyon Panorama by kenne
