Archive for the ‘Springtime’ Tag
Ocotillos produce clusters of bright red flowers at their stem tips, which explain the plant’s name.
Ocotillo means “little torch” in Spanish — Images by kenne
Waiting It Out
Desert display
as Saguaro’s spiny arms
raise to the darkening blue sky.
Days of heat waves
chase Ocotillo flower buds
drooping slowly in the mauve air
very still … and then,
with the distant rumble of thunder
and a flash of lightening,
comes a first drop.
Coming fast, the rain begins
a flood within the gulch
and there, from nowhere,
from the nothing dust,
from the ether
reconstituted
as out of a mirage
appears by the side of the road …
a toad.
— Sue Mason
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Springtime In The Sonoran Desert — Image by kenne
This saguaro has grown under the protection of a mesquite tree serving as a nurse tree.
This spring the cactus is loaded with flower buds, many of which a beginning to bloom.
— kenne
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Picacio Peak State Park — Image by kenne
“In 1848, the Mormon Battalion constructed a wagon road through Picacho Pass. The forty-niners on their way
to California used this road. In the late 1850’s the Butterfield Overland Stage was carrying passengers through
this area. Picacho Peak’s most noted historic event occurred on April 15, 1862, when Confederate and Union
scouting parties met in the Battle of Picacho Pass during the Civil War. This was the largest Civil War clash to
take place in Arizona.” — Source: azstateparks.com
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“The Desert Land” — Image by kenne
Have you slept in a tent alone—a tent
Out under the desert sky—
Where a thousand thousand desert miles
All silent round you lie?—
The dust of the eons of ages dead,
And the peoples that trampled by?
Have you looked in the desert’s painted cup,
Have you smelled at dawn the wild sage musk,
Have you seen the lightning flashing up
From the ground in the desert dusk?
Have you heard the song in the desert rain
(Like the undertone of a wordless rhyme?)
Have you watched the glory of colors flame
In its marvel of blossom time?
Have you lain with your face in your hands, afraid,
Facedown—flat down on your face—and prayed,
While the terrible sand storm whirled and swirled
In its soundless fury, and hid the world
And quenched the sun in its yellow glare—
Just you, and your soul, and nothing, there?
If you have, then you know, for you’ve felt its spell,
The lure of the desert land,
And if you have not, then I could not tell—
For you could not understand.
— Madge Morris Wagner
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Springtime In The Sonoran Desert — Image by kenne
“Every time I’ve strayed from the beaten path I’ve never regretted it.”
— Tori Murden
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Springtime In The Desert — Image by kenne
Each day I find the most marvelous things in the desert
that for most people are the ordinary, the common,
the simple and tangible.
It’s important to always give the desert a second take.
— kenne
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Springtime On The Bluff Trail In Sabino Canyon — Panorama by kenne
The universe is changing, and
we are part of the transformation.
— kenne
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Globe Mellow Wildflower — Image by kenne
With rain predicted later this week
it’s fair to say spring has arrived
in Sabino Canyon.
— kenne
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Black Swallowtail Photo Essay– Signs of Spring by kenne (Tohono Chul, Tucson AZ, February 24, 2018)
Desert springtime, with flowers popping up all over the place, trees leafing out, streams gushing down from the mountains. Great time of year for hiking, camping, exploring, sleeping under the new moon and the old stars. At dawn and at evening we hear the coyotes howling with excitement—mating season.
— Edward Abbey
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Cooper’s Hawk Above Nest In Sabino Canyon (October 31, 2016) — Image by kenne
Wind gusts ruffle the hawks feathers while watching over the large nest
high in an ash tree in the Sabino Canyon riparian area above the Sabino Creek dam.
Since this area is near where the Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN)
conduct their nature program for elementary school children,
many students will have a opportunity to see activity near the creek
adding to the excitement of being on a field trip in Sabino Canyon.
— kenne
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Cactus Wren Building a Nest in a Cholla Cactus (October 23, 20016) — Image by kenne
Springtime in Sabino Canyon
brings out the new while
recycling the old.
The white winged doves
have returned awaiting
saguaro buds to bloom.
The sound of mating calls
go out, returned creating
echoes in the canyon.
The pace of life in high gear
as nature puts on a show
in the desert’s spring festival.
— kenne
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Saguaro Blossoms In Sabino Canyon — Images by kenne
A very dry spring
Hasn’t slowed cactus blossoms —
Saguaros in March.
— kenne
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Springtime In Sabino Canyon — Image by kenne
Canyon morning walks
Among spring’s new wildflowers
Birds sing joy on high.
— kenne
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Bee On Patio Flowers (February 3, 2015) — Image by kenne
Potted flowers bring
Springtime to the patio,
Bees share the moment.
— kenne
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Becoming is Superior to Being 