Blooming now!

Photo by Carol Tornow 2/6/2012

Yellow Desert Primroses (Oenothera primaveris) are blooming now in Sabino Canyon. Get out early to see these beauties and look low.

Cinderella was here?

Photo by Carol Tornow, 2/6/2012

Yes, Carol and I found this at-least-4-inch-stiletto-healed 'shoe' (using the term rather generously) in the canyon. At the risk of being redundant to my very rational readership, I'll make this public service announcement:
Under no circumstances should you or anyone you care about wear anything remotely like this.
In the canyon or otherwise. (Mating season or not.)
Cinderella, your shoe is now in its rightful place. You're welcome.

Not from last year!

Photo by Matt Ball 2/3/2012

Last year, this was the time of the big freeze. On Friday, I saw this Desert Spiny Lizard sunning in my neighborhood. A small one, I'll grant you, but very neat!

A winter visitor

Photo by Bob Wenrick

This beautiful blue bird is, in fact, a bluebird; specifically, a Western Bluebird. Small flocks have been seen in Sabino Canyon. If you are interested in birds, check out allaboutbirds.org 

Abert's Towhee

Photo by Bob Wenrick

Abert's Towhee  is a year-round resident.

What's a bird on a branch worth?

Photo by Ned Harris

One of the blogs I read is called "A Phrase a Week" and this week's phrase is "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." This bird on a branch is an American Kestrel.

Today in Kingdoms

Photo by Ned Harris 1/21/2012

On the Wednesday nature walk, we talked about mosses, algae, and fungi (among other living things). I needed to refresh my memory about algae, so I found this site. It provides a quick overview of the 6 Kingdoms of life. Basically, there are:

• 1. Weird Bacteria (that live at the bottom of the ocean, say)
• 2. Not-so-weird Bacteria (that live in your mouth, say)
• 3. Algae (but not the stuff fka blue-green algae. That's cyanobacteria. See 2.)
• 4. Fungi (mushrooms, etc.)
• 5. Plants (mosses, cacti, etc.)
• 6. Animals (horse and rider above)

Keep in mind: Today, there are 6 Kingdoms. As we learn more about life, the universe, and everything, though, the number of Kingdoms may change (or things may be switched into a different Kingdom or Phylum, etc.). Because DNA sequencing has become relatively inexpensive, it's much easier to see what is related to what and who to whom. Bottom line: All living things share a common ancestor. Very cool!