Archive for the ‘Sabino Canyon Recreation Area’ Tag
Praying Mantis Egg Casing — Image by kenne
This praying mantis egg casing was probably created late last fall. Here in southern
Arizona, they are commonly found on mesquite tree branches. Each casing holds up
to 200 eggs, which hatch approximately eight weeks after the eggs are laid. Tiny
praying mantis nymphs will emerge through the narrow slits of the egg case. Unless
you can find the small nymphs (1/8 inch), it is impossible to tell if the egg cases have
actually hatched — the egg case will not change in appearance.
— kenne
Star Ferns and Ressurection Plants On the Bluff Trail Above Sabino Creek — Image by kenne
Most people think of the desert as being a hot, dry and barren place which is totally inhospitable to the likes of ferns, mosses, and leafy plants. Nonetheless, all the above-mentioned species thrive here in the Sonoran Desert. There are many varieties of ferns growing in the desert climate. The desert ferns are true xerophytes (a plant that has adaptations to survive in an environment with little liquid water, dry loving). These ferns have evolved several strategies to thrive in our warm, dry climate here in the southwest. They can shrivel and go dormant for many months, they begin life in rock fractures and other moist sheltered areas that provide a microclimate for early growth. Other characteristics of desert ferns are reduced surface area (small leaflets), leathery leaflets, thickened leaf margins, waxy, hairy or fuzzy coatings, and scales on stems. Does this sound like some of the water-saving adaptations of other desert plants? You bet! We’ve heard about these adaptations for many other desert plants such as creosote, mesquite, ocotillo, Brittle Bush, so why not the ferns too? (Debbie Bird, Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalist)
The plants at the top of the above image are Selaginella lepidophylla is a species of desert plant in the spikemoss family. Known as a “resurrection plant”, it is renowned for its ability to survive almost complete desiccation. During dry weather in its native habitat, its stems curl into a tight ball, uncurling only when exposed to moisture.
— kenne
Bee Inside Wildflower Blossom — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Saguaro Cactus (Sabino Canyon Recreation Area) — Black & White Image by kenne
“I tried to keep both arts alive, but the camera won.
I found that while the camera does not express the soul,
perhaps a photograph can!”
— Ansel Adams
Cristate (Crested) Barrel Cactus — Images by kenne
“One of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect.
Perfection simply doesn’t exist…..
Without imperfection, neither you nor I would exist”
― Stephen Hawking
“The Squeeze is On” (Saguaro Cactus in Sabino Canyon) — Image by kenne
This saguaro cactus is on the cliff-side of the Bluff Trail in Sabino Canyon.
It’s about two feet long and may have been around for a couple of decades now.
You may think the saguaro has a dilemma, being “stuck between and rock and a hard place.”
The crack in the cliff has provided protection for this young saguaro, so it should
keep on growing for years to come.
— kenne
Echo (Spring) Azure Butterfly — Image by kenne
Common Buckeye Butterfly — Image by kenne
Jim and Fred Examine The Mineral Lick Area In Sabino Canyon
Sabino Canyon Mineral Lick — Images by kenne
A mineral lick (also known as a salt lick) is a place where animals can go to lick essential
mineral nutrients from a deposit of salts and other minerals. Mineral licks can be naturally
occurring or artificial (such as blocks of salt that farmers place in pastures for livestock to lick).
Natural licks are common, and they provide essential elements such as phosphorus and
the biometals (sodium, calcium, iron, zinc, and trace elements) required in the springtime for bone,
muscle and other growth in deer and other wildlife, such as moose, elephants, tapirs, cattle,
woodchucks, domestic sheep, fox squirrels, mountain goats and porcupines. Such licks are especially
important in ecosystems with poor general availability of nutrients. Harsh weather exposes
salty mineral deposits that draw animals from miles away for a taste of needed nutrients.
It is thought that certain fauna can detect calcium in salt licks. (Wikipedia)
Spreadwing Damselfly (Sabino Canyon Recreation Area) — Images by kenne
This past Tuesday I participated in the Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN)
Bird and Plant Nature Walk. While on the walk I spotted this Damselfly near the top
of the Sabino Creek Dam. Compared to the (mostly) much larger dragonflies,
damselflies look delicate, and their eyes protrude to each side giving them a bug
eyed appearance. A dragonfly’s hind pair of wings are broader than its front pair of
wings, but a damselfly’s four wings are roughly equal. And while dragonflies must
hold their wings out to the side when they perch, damselflies can fold their wings
over their backs.
— kenne
Painted Lady Butterfly On A Bluedicks Wildflower (Sabino Canyon Recreation Area) — Image by kenne
Society is like a stew.
If you don’t stir it up every once in a while
then a layer of scum floats to the top.
— Edward Abbey
Brown Haze — Photo-Artistry by kenne
The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders.
— Edward Abbey
Brittle Bush Blossoms (Sabino Canyon Recreation Area) — Image by kenne
Signs of spring are here
Look around you will see it
Color it yellow.
— kenne
Sabino Creek Art — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Sabino Creek
Spring brings the sound of
Water running in the creek
Deer walk to the edge.
— kenne
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher — Image by kenne
Another beautiful day in Sabino Canyon!
