Lyn Hart's art (and some mustards : - )

Our very own Lyn Hart has a new tapestry in the upcoming show 'In Full Bloom' at Tohono Chul, February 19 - April 24, 2016 in the main gallery. Inspired by a watercolor painting she did in her first ASDM class, the tapestry is 24" x 14" and is titled 'cereusly?'

Photo and tapestry by Lyn Hart

Opening Reception: Friday, February 19, 5:30-7:30 pm. Meet the artist and get her autograph!

Photos by Marty Horowitz 2/3/2016

Also in full bloom (and fruit), Tansy Mustard (Descurainia pinnata var. ochroleuca)

And just starting to bud, Jewel Flower (Streptanthus carinatus ssp arizonicus) 

Foam Art, too

Photos by Marty Horowitz 2/3/2016

Foam Circle

Mixed Media

Foam Art

On the same day as the icicles, we saw swirls and mounds of dissolved organic carbon (aka foam) in/on the creek by the dam and by the Bear Canyon bridge. Marty captured the beauty. Yes, there's a part two :-)

Photos by Marty Horowitz 2/3/2016

Falcons, large and small

Photo by Bill Kaufman 1/30/2016

Peregrine Falcon, incoming
From this link:

Powerful and fast-flying, the Peregrine Falcon hunts medium-sized birds, dropping down on them from high above in a spectacular stoop. They were virtually eradicated from eastern North America by pesticide poisoning in the middle 20th century. After significant recovery efforts, Peregrine Falcons have made an incredible rebound and are now regularly seen in many large cities and coastal areas.

Photo by Bob Wenrick 1/27/2016

American Kestrel, male
From this link:

North America’s littlest falcon, the American Kestrel packs a predator’s fierce intensity into its small body. It's one of the most colorful of all raptors: the male’s slate-blue head and wings contrast elegantly with his rusty-red back and tail; the female has the same warm reddish on her wings, back, and tail. Hunting for insects and other small prey in open territory, kestrels perch on wires or poles, or hover facing into the wind, flapping and adjusting their long tails to stay in place.

Nice day for a spring weeding...

Photos and text by Mark Hengesbaugh

Mountain Lion (photo taken at the ASDM : -)

Now that I have your attention...

Feb. 22-25 is National Invasive Species Awareness Week. Our many native Sonoran Desert plants are losing the battle for sun, water, and nutrients to a small number of invasive non-native plant species whose foothold is large and growing. If you love Sabino's wildlife, please support the effort to bring these habitat-destroying plants under control. Next opportunity to help is a Sabino Stewards manual removal event Sun., Feb. 21, 9-11 a.m. 

If you can attend, notify Jean at jeanheng10 at comcast dot net. (Anne says: remember to put in the appropriate symbols for at and dot.) For more information about invasive plants in Sabino Canyon, See: http://www.sabinonaturalists.org/conservation/. 

Ferruginous Hawk (updated 2/10)

Hard Water

Photos by Marty Horowitz 2/3/2016

The plant dangling at the top of the dam was sporting icicles, even as water rushed by.

And this one at the Bear Canyon bridge was the very definition of frozen! Brr....

Walkin' on Sunshine

Photo by Marty Horowitz 1/26/2016

Not certain about the plant, but I am about the Verdin! From the link:

A tiny, active songbird of the arid southwestern United States and northern Mexico, the Verdin is the only North American member of the penduline-tit family (Remizidae). Vocal and often conspicuous despite its size, it builds a large enclosed nest in thorny scrub.

Photo by Marty Horowitz 2/3/2016

Arizona's State Bird, the Cactus Wren, taking a stroll on a Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea). Like the Verdin, the Cactus Wren is only found in the southwestern deserts.

[T]he Cactus Wren is the largest wren in North America. Although it can be found in urban backyards, it is a true bird of the desert and can survive without freestanding water.