Archive for the ‘Sabino Canyon Recreation Area’ Tag
A Gila Monster Spring (Sabino Canyon) — Image by kenne
Gila monsters are heavy-bodied lizards covered with beadlike scales, called osteoderms, that are black and
yellow or pink covering all but their belly. The Gila monster is venomous; its venom is made by a row of glands
in the lizard’s lower jaw. When the lizard bites, small grooves in the teeth help the venom flow into its prey. The
bite of a Gila monster is very strong, and the lizard may not loosen its grip for several seconds. It may even
chew so that the venom goes deeper into the wound.
As the name might suggest, the Gila (pronounced HEE-la) monster has one of the worst reputations in the
reptile world. This lizard is often feared and has been described as frightful and repulsive, especially in local
folklore. Source: San Diego Zoo
Female Phainopepla In Sabino Canyon — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Palo Verde Trees In the Sabino Canyon — Image by kenne
The palo verde tree is Arizona’s state tree, and rightfully so since once established, these trees truly need no
supplemental water to live. The tree’s bark is green and can photosynthesize something that in most plants,
only leaves do. This characteristic also allows the leaves to be very small and drop off during extreme drought conditions.
In the Sonoran desert, there are four types of palo verde trees. The above image illustrates two; the Blue Palo Verde
on the left and the Foothills Palo Verde on the right. The Blue Palo Verde will generally bloom first in the spring,
followed by the Foothills a few weeks later. During April, you can see these trees blooming everywhere in Tucson.
— kenne
Esperero Trail Wildflowers In Sabino Canyon (Spring 2013) — Image by kenne
What lies in the heart
of a hiker is that a
spiritual landscape exists
within the visual landscape
something fleeting in the land,
a moment when shape, color,
and movement intensify
revealing something sacred
leading to another level of reality.
— kenne
Desert Chicory & Seed Pod — Image by kenne
Frequent throughout the Sonoran Desert in Arizona and Mexico on desert flats,
along wash banks and on rocky slopes.
Mature seeds bear a plume of feathery bristles at the apex.
7 Falls Trail In Bear Canyon (03-20-15) — Image by kenne
After a day’s walk, everything has twice its usual value.
— G.M. Trevelyan
Saguaros On My Mind — Images by kenne
A nurse tree
can help raise
generations
of saguaros
only to die
long before
the cactus’.
— kenne
White-crowned Sparrow — Image by kenne
I try to walk
with bird experts
when out in nature
so I can learn
the names
of those
I photograph.
— kenne
Two Visitors Waddle By (04-15-15) — Image by kenne
A Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalist is teaching kids as two mallard ducks waddle by.
Nothing like being outdoors in nature’s classroom.
Behold the duck.
It does not cluck.
A cluck it lacks.
It quacks.
It is specially fond
Of a puddle or pond.
When it dines or sups,
It bottoms ups.
Desert Spiny Lizard — Image by kenne
We have been experiencing some warmer spring weather here in the desert,
so more lizards are on the move
— kenne
Cooper’s Hawk after Sex — Image by kenne
Sometimes to love someone, you’ve got to be a stranger.
— kenne
Esperero Trail In Sabino Canyon — Image by kenne
“Look deep into nature and you will understand everything better.”
— Albert Einstein
‘Thank You’ Art from Children Who Went On Field Trips To Sabino Canyon Before The Pandemic
It has now been over a year since teachers have brought students to Sabino Canyon — they are dearly missed! We are hoping that by October, our normal five days a week schedule will return.
Meanwhile, Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists have been busy creating videos for the Sabino Canyon – The Canyon Classroom. Check it out and Subscribe.
— kenne
Cocklebur — Grunge Art by kenne
Cocklebur was first
Science used the idea
Created velcro.
Used to fasten things
Without a hammer and nails.
— kenne
Trails Near Sabino Creek — Panorama by kenne
“O ye’ll tak’ the high trail, and I’ll tak’ the low trail,
And I’ll be in Sabino Canyon a’fore ye . . .”
