Boy On A Rock — Photo-Artistry by kenne
His eyes traveled
and traveled
back and forth
trying to catch
the girl in the pond
jabbing once, twice
she darts in and out
of the shadows
as if to teach one
of life’s lessons —
it’s the pursuit,
not the catch
that counts.
— kenne
Male Phainopepla — Image by kenne
Naturalists in Sabino Canyon have been photographing a partial albino phainopepla for at least eight years.
He is known by the name “Luke” for leucistic, a condition in which there is partial loss of pigmentation in an animal.
— kenne
Eastern Bluebird — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Intense Drought In Sabino Canyon — Image by kenne
The Sonoran Desert
known for its biodiversity
having two rainy seasons
the summer monsoon
and winter rainy season
now experiencing drought.
Normal drought conditions
made worse by La Niña
event reducing rainfall.
Many native plants are dying
vegetation green-up is poor
during this intense drought.
— kenne
Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) Blossom in Sabino Canyon — Image by kenne
Very little rain in Sabino Canyon hasn’t stopped the cycles of life from taking place.
Most of the year, Ocotillos look like a bunch of gray sticks. But in the spring, are during the
summer monsoon season, the sticks leaf out. However, the red flame blossoms
only happen in the spring.
Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) Leaves — Image by kenne
Fouquieria splendens is a plant indigenous to the Sonoran Desert in the Southwestern United States
and northern Mexico. While semi-succulent and a desert plant, Ocotillo is more closely related to tea
and blueberries than cactuses. Source: Wikipedia
Dead Cholla (Sabino Canyon Recreation Area) — Image by kenne
The continued drought in the desert southwest is taking its toll.
Cholla Cactus in Sabino Canyon — Image by kenne
— kenne
Water Above Sabino Dam
Snowmelt on Mt. Lemmon has water in Sabino Creek for the first time in months.
Water running in Sabino Creek — Images by kenne
Sabino Canyon Panorama (February 9,2021) by kenne
Vista Ramada
the ones who live in the desert,
if you knew them
you would understand everything.
— Lucille Clifton
Fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) In Sabino Canyon Recreation Area — Image by kenne
Fountain Grass is a perennial bunchgrass with attractive purple or green flowers. It is an ornamental plant that is still sold in nurseries. Although some nursery varieties are considered “sterile,” no varieties are recommended for planting and landscaping. Fountain grass is a close relative of buffelgrass, the most problematic invasive species in the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. Fountain grass is present in much of the western United States and is a big problem invasive species in Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, and California.
Fountain grass is a native of Africa. Fountain grass seed was first available in the US around 1880and has been cultivated as an ornamental plant in Tucson since 1940. Records document that fountain grass began establishing itself in the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson as early as 1946.
Fountain grass can form dense stands with several undesirable effects. It provides a large amount of fuel for hot fires that can destroy native plants and animals. It displaces native grasses, blocks the natural flow of water in washes, and alters animals’ habitat, particularly frogs and toads that are sensitive to such changes. Source: National Park Service
Adult Male Eastern Bluebird — Photo-Artistry by kenne
The Eastern Bluebird is a small thrush with a big, rounded head, large eye, plump body, and alert posture.
The wings are long, but the tail and legs are fairly short. The bill is short and straight.
Male Eastern Bluebirds are vivid, deep blue above and rusty or brick-red on the throat and breast.
Blue in birds always depends on the light, and males often look plain gray-brown from a distance.
— Source: All About Birds
Male Cardinal in Sabino Canyon, An Early Sign of Spring — Images by kenne
The Freeman
A VAGABOND between the East and West,
Careless I greet the scourging and the rod;
I fear no terror any man may bring,
Nor any god.
The clankless chains that bound me I have rent,
No more a slave to Hope I cringe or cry;
Captives to Fate men rear their prison walls,
But free am I.
I tread where arrows press upon my path,
I smile to see the danger and the dart;
My breast is bared to meet the slings of Hate,
But not my heart.
I face the thunder and I face the rain,
I lift my head, defiance far I fling, —
My feet are set, I face the autumn as
I face the spring.
Around me on the battlefields of life,
I see men fight and fail and crouch in prayer;
Aloft I stand unfettered, for I know
The freedom of despair.
Female Cardinal — Image by kenne
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area– Image by kenne
Freedom is something that dies unless it’s used.
— Hunter S. Thompson
Gila Woodpecker On Saguaro Cactus In Sabino Canyon — Image by kenne
— kenne
