I’ve taken many roadrunner photos in the almost 12 years we have lived in Tucson. This photo essay is representative of the images. Last October, Hugh Poland and I spent some time photographing wildlife in southern Arizona, and he was most disappointed in not seeing any Greater Roadrunners. However, he’s planning an August trip to attend a Tucson Audubon Societyevent here in southeast Arizona. So maybe he will see and photograph some roadrunners. (Click on any image to view it in a slideshow format.)
— kenne
The Ole Roadrunner
(For Sara from Uncle Johnny)
Want to tell you a story
Bout a bird that can run.
He can fly up in trees, but
To race is more fun.
He’s a runner at heart
He lurks like a trickster
Darts out on the road
Goes faster and faster.
He’s sleek, and he’s quick
Keep watch and don’t blink
Out he will jump
And be gone in a wink.
Not easy to catch
Roadrunners are wary
To chase is to fail
Ask Wile E Coyote’!
Birds like to sing
To cheep and to peep.
This one is different
He likes to Beep.
So when out in the car
Keep your eye on the road
If you see something running
It might be this Ole Bird.
Beep Beep!
— John Deen
Greater Roadrunner — Southeast Arizona Images by kenne
Marine Blue Butterfly On Blue-Green Algae Scum (Cienega Creek) — Image by kenne
In our recent walk along Cienega Creek, much of the creek’s surface water has begun to dry up, leaving behind pools of water perfect for the buildup of blue-green scum. We noticed a marine blue butterfly flying over one of the pools, suddenly landing a leaf floating on top of the scum.
Autumn wildflowers in southeast Arizona begin blooming in late October as the weather cools, and will continue blooming until the hard frosts of late November, early December. Scattered wildflowers can be observed here in lower elevation desert areas almost all year-round.
Southeast Arizona Butterfly Photo-Artistry by kenne
Blossoms and Butterflies
In Sabino Canyon with a group of kids someone spotted a butterfly flying by suddenly landing on a nearby wildflower attracting our attention as a progression of butterflies began to fill space around us — smiles and pleasure with the moment.
Western Branded Skipper — Image by kenne
Sandhill Crane (Whitewater Draw) — Image by kenne
Sandhill Cranes Landing At Whitewater Draw — Image by kenne
Don’t Fence Me In — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Southeast Arizona Butterfly Photo-Artistry by kenne
Becoming is Superior to Being 