Only You....

photo by Carol Tornow

... can see Smokey Bear in a tree. Thanks to the unnamed tram driver (I suspect Bill O.)  for sharing this story with Carol Tornow and others, and to Carol for sharing the story (and photo) with me. Long ago, Smokey Bear (remember: no 'the') appeared hugging the tree that you'll find in the picnic area 'behind' the larger of the two restrooms by stop one. Look for a picnic table in front of a mesquite.

Queens of the night have opened...

Both photos by Bryna Ben-Asher

7/6/11 at Tohono Chul

Amazing! Another round of blooms tonight at Tohono Chul. There are a few of these plants in Sabino Canyon as well. If you are on the main path from the visitor center after dark, look low and just past the Esperero trailhead. If memory serves, there's a night-blooming cereus there.

Sabino Canyon to OPEN!!!

I received word from Dan Granger, president of the Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists, that the Catalinas - including Sabino Canyon - will re-open tonight (Wednesday 7/6) at midnight. Whoo hoo! Continued ban on smoking and camping. Don't know anything about the Coronado National Forest as a whole, but still - whoo hoo! See you in the canyon!

A damsel to impress

Photo by Ned Harris

On to damselflies, another critter of interest in our 'bug' project. Generally speaking, you can tell a damselfly from a dragonfly by the way they hold their wings when at rest. Damselflies hold wings parallel to their bodies; dragonflies hold them out. This fine damselfly is a Rambur's Forktail. Just like dragonflies, damselflies undergo INCOMPLETE metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult). A cool nymph photo here (not the same species, but you get the idea).
In non-bug news, I've been blogging for a year! Thanks for your encouragement and support (and your photographs)!

Dragons!

Click photos for larger view

Both photos by Ned Harris

Carol O, Fred, and I are working on a 'bug' project (hence all the 'bug' posts of late), and dragonflies are one of our critters of interest. Dragonflies (and Damselflies) are insects in the order Odonata. They undergo INCOMPLETE metamorphosis; i.e., egg, nymph, adult. For some cool nymph photos, scroll down from here. For some cool photos of adults, look above. Top is a Mexican Amberwing. They are tiny, about 1.1 inches long. Blue one is a male Blue Dasher. Thanks, Ned, for the photos and the i.d.

Sobering reading

AZ Daily Star: Fire season's ill winds blow no good

 and especially Wired magazine's:
Megafires May Change the Southwest Forever

Instead of placing blame on whoever is, was, or will be in power; instead of name-calling and politics-bashing (I made the mistake of reading 'comments' again), let's agree to read, reflect, and commit to promoting those plans for positive change, based on sound science, as resources permit.

Know your canyon volunteers!

Since the closure, I'm sure you've noticed more uniforms of various kinds and wondered who's who.

Walt Tornow, SCVP

Volunteers in Forest Service green are the Santa Catalina Volunteer Patrol. Normally, they patrol trails in the Santa Catalinas (mainly in Sabino and Ventana Canyons and trails on Mt. Lemmon), answer questions, help hikers, pick up trash, etc. During the closure, they aren't allowed on the trails, either. But you'll see them on the road and at trail heads in Sabino Canyon and at trail heads on Mt. Lemmon. There is generally a training class in February. Apply now to join!

Volunteers wearing a shirt with a version of this logo are - you guessed it - the Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists. They do three main programs: Kindergarten, Elementary, and Public Interpretation. The latter includes nature, plant, bird, and lizard walks, summer reading program for kids, Girl and Boy Scout hikes, exhibits and tables at the visitor center, etc. These volunteers take a 15-week training class that starts in early September. There's still time to apply.
During the closure, they are walking the road in Sabino Canyon and are also 'stationed' at trail heads to answer questions about the closure and the canyon. You'll only see them on duty in Sabino Canyon - and, like everyone else, they are not authorized to be on the trails.
The only group  authorized to patrol on the trails in the Coronado National Forest are the volunteers from Southern Arizona Search and Rescue. I won't reveal what they wear, because if you see one of these volunteers during the closure, well... you probably shouldn't!