How Do You Define, “Survivor?” Saguaro High On A Cliff — Image by kenne
How Do You Define, “Survivor?” Saguaro High On A Cliff — Image by kenne
“Life Goes On” — Image by kenne
(Note Small Saguaro Next to the Dead Saguaro)
A young saguaro cactus usually starts life under the protection of a mesquite or palo verde tree, call a nurse tree. When this two-foot saguaro next to the dead saguaro began life, at least 15 years ago, it was next to a stately saguaro along the Phoneline Trail in Sabino Canyon. Last year the elder saguaro died, leaving behind the young saguaro having provided a well-protected beginning to life.
— kenne
Late Fall In Sabino Canyon Near Sabino Creek — Image by kenne
–Federico García Lorca
Death On the Trail — Image by kenne
This towering Saguaro, close to forty feet, fail across a trail near the Sabino Creek Dam. This big fellow had no arms even though it had to be well over 100 years old. There were no signs of disease so it may have just gotten too big for its root system.
kenne
Saguaro Cactus in the Tucson Mountains — Image by kenne
This time of year if you are going to spend time in Sabino Canyon, it needs to be early in the morning. It doesn’t take long before the temperature can be in the triple digits — yes, this is Tucson, Arizona.
For a lot of us who love spending time outdoors and hiking, this time of year most of our time is spent up on Mt. Lemmon. Couple that with my trying to spend more time with Joy, except for checking the mail and an occasional meeting, I haven’t been in the canyon lately.
So, this morning after a little jog in the neighborhood, I headed over to Sabino Canyon where I went on an hour and a half hike in and effort to relieve my guilt.

We are still early in the desert monsoon season, so signs of the heat and dry air are everywhere. (Barrel cactus)

Sabino creek is dry . . .

. . . and the area above the dam looks like a beach.

Down stream from the dam rocks minis water flowing over and around them have taken on different colors.

Even so, there is still plenty of live in the canyon, here two squirrels are cooling themselves in the shade at the creek dam.

Here a busy ground squirrel checking me out before retreating into his cool den.

A late-blooming Saguaro can occasionally be found.

Desert Marigolds . . .

. . . attracting butterflies.

A gall produced by flies that inhabit creosote bushes.

An ocotillo leafed out from an early July rain.

Another ocotillo surrounded by prickly pear cactus whose fruit is beginning to turn red.

Prickly pear fruit.

Still, often under austere conditions, life goes on. (White–winged Dove)

The harshness of this land causes many to see the Sonoran desert to be a wasteland.

Those who have experienced the beauty of this amazing desert know it is not, but if left unprotected, it can become a man-made wasteland.
— kenne
— Marshall Trimble, Arizona: A Panoramic History of a Frontier State, 1977
“Desert Silhouette”
Desert Silhouette
— kenne
“Saguaro and Ocotillo Salad” — Image by kenne
— Kahlil Gibran
Cactus Wren on Saguaro Cactus Buds — Image by kenne
White Winged Dove — Image by kenne
— kenne

Gila Woodpecker On A Saguaro Cactus — Images by kenne
― Tom Robbins, from Still Life with Woodpecker
Saguaro Blossoms In Sabino Canyon — Images by kenne
— kenne
New Years Day In Sabino Canyon — Image by kennei
— kenne
A Stately Saguaro Family — Image by kenne
— Susan Sontag
Desert Sunrise — Image by kenne
Dawn
— Federico Garcia Lorca