This morning on the Plant and Bird Walk, we could see a small flock of Eastern Bluebirds, none close enough to get any good photos,
but more will be coming to Sabino Canyon because of all the desert mistletoe berries in the canyon. Till then,
the berries are attracting plenty of Phainopeplas.
— kenne
Archive for the ‘SCVN Nature Walk’ Tag
Desert Mistletoe Berries Attracting Birds To Sabino Canyon 1 comment
Leading Nature Walk In Sabino Canyon Leave a comment
Leading Nature Walk In Sabino Canyon — Image by kenne
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Ruby-crowned Kinglet Leave a comment
Ruby-crowned Kinglet — Image by kenne
The trail was quiet
The breeze was calm.
What is that little bird
With all that energy?
Wings constantly flicking
Chattering out his songs
The hiker pulls out
His nature guide.
Was this nervous fliting
Bird just passing through?
Looks like a kinglet,
Possible a ruby-crowned
Spending the winter
In Sabino Canyon.
— kenne
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Sabino Canyon Nature Walk, January 29, 2014 4 comments
Naturalists Lead Sabino Canyon Nature Walk, January 29, 2014 — Images by kenne (Click on any of the images in the gallery to see slideshow.)
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Today We Walked The Trail, Listing, Looking. Leave a comment
An American Robin On Mt. Lemmon — Image by kenne
Today we walked the trail,
listening,
looking,
we who come and go.
Look!
Where?
Over there!
Field glasses
to eyes,
a bird
free of strings
singing —
time to move on.
Now,
close your eyes
gather answers
the same as the
questions,
now forget the
answers.
kenne
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Capturing The Moment — Orange Sulphur Butterfly, A Blur In Flight Leave a comment
Orange Sulphur Butterfly Can Be A Blur In Flight. (Meadow Trail on Mt. Lemmon) — Image by kenne
Related articles
- Orange Sulphur Butterfly (wingedbeauty.com)
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David Lazaroff — Early Dam Considerations In Sabino Canyon Leave a comment
David Lazaroff In Sabino Canyon — Image by kenne
“In the last years of the century (19th) Tucsonans devised increasingly elaborate schemes for bring the waters of Sabino Creek to Tucson, but none were carried out. Then, in 1901, Sherman M. Woodward, a young professor in the Department of Mathematics and Mechanics at the University of Arizona, formulated a plan so compelling that it would influence events in Sabino Canyon for nearly four decades,” writes David Lazaroff in his 1993 publication, “Sabino Canyon – The Life of a Southwestern Oasis.” It was all about trying to bring water to the booming city of Tucson. During Lazaroff’s talk on Sabino Canyon, to the 2011 SCVN trainees, he shared the history of attempts to dam Sabino Creek, which I have edited into a minute video.
kenne
Naturalists and Trainees Listen To David Lazaroff — Image by kenne
Related articles
- An Introduction to Sabino Canyon with David Lazaroff – SCVN Class of 2011 (kenneturner.wordpress.com)
- Taking A Wide-Angle Look After A Morning Rain In Sabino Canyon (kenneturner.wordpress.com)
- Sabino Creek Is Dry – Almost! (kenneturner.wordpress.com)
- SCVN Nature Walk #2 In Sabino Canyon (kenneturner.wordpress.com)
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“Will you walk into my parlour? said the spider to the fly.” 2 comments
Green Lynx Spider In Sabino Canyon — Image by kenne
Funnel Web Spider In Sabino Canyon– Image by kenne
The Spider and the Fly
by Mary Howitt
“Will you walk into my parlor?” said the Spider to the Fly,
“‘Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,
And I have many curious things to show you when you are there.”
“Oh no, no,” said the Fly, “to ask me is in vain;
For who goes up your winding stair can ne’er come down again.”
“I’m sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;
Will you rest upon my little bed?” said the Spider to the Fly.
“There are pretty curtains drawn around, the sheets are fine and thin;
And if you like to rest awhile, I’ll snugly tuck you in!”
“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “for I’ve often heard it said
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!”
Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, “Dear friend, what can I do
To prove that warm affection I’ve always felt for you?
I have within my pantry, good store of all that’s nice;
I’m sure you’re very welcome – will you please take a slice?”
“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “kind sir, that cannot be,
I’ve heard what’s in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!”
“Sweet creature,” said the Spider, “you’re witty and you’re wise;
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
I have a little looking-glass upon my parlor shelf;
If you step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself.”
“I thank you, gentle sir,” she said, “for what you’re pleased to say;
And bidding good morning now, I’ll call another day.”
The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again;
So he wove a subtle web in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready to dine upon the Fly.
then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,
“Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple, there’s a crest upon your head;
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are as dull as lead.”
Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew, –
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue;
Thinking only of her crested head – poor foolish thing! At last,
Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.
He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den
Within his little parlor – but she ne’er came out again!
And now, dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly, flattering words, I pray you ne’er heed;
Unto an evil counsellor close heart, and ear, and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale of the Spider and the Fly.
Source: WIKISOURCE
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Capturing The Moment — Dragonfly In Flight 2 comments
Dragonfly In Sabino Canyon — Images by kenne
Near the end of last Wednesday’s SCVN Nature Walk, leader Ned Harris lead us over to a marshy area near Sabino Creek where he had seen dragonfly a few days earlier. Since the cooler weather isn’t conducive for dragonfly flight, I wasn’t expecting much. So, not surprisingly, there were only a few dragonflies darting around the small marsh area. I walked out near where one had found a favorite place, which I had notice, in his flight, he kept coming back to the same spot. The top image is the spot, and the lower image is dragonfly in flight — my first ever.
kenne
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A Resurrection Is Taking Place In The Desert Leave a comment
A Cliff Formation Near The Sabino Canyon Riparian Area — Image by kenne
It’s difficult to see in this image, but if you look carefully at some the rocks that appear more green than others, the green is from Arizona Spikemoss (Resurrection Plant) growing after some recent rains in the canyon. For most of us, it’s hard to consider moss growing in environments such as the dry-hot desert. However, it only takes a little moisture to turn this dried-up gray plant to turn green and start growing. It is called Resurrection Plant because of its habit of reviving after seeming to be dead. In the last week, evidence of this plant can be found all over the canyon. This small fern can be found in shaded areas where they clump together or form dense mats, which helps reduce their exposure to hot temperatures.
kenne
(I share this information, which I learned while on a nature walk with naturalists Anne Green, Ned Harris and Fred Heath.)
Pincushing Cactus with Fruit, Surrounded By Arizona Spikemoss (Resurrection Plants) — Image by kenne
Becoming is Superior to Being 