More Cooper's Hawks

All Photos by Ned Harris

Taken 6/29/11 in McDonald Park*

Adult, looking regal

You can see that these fledglings are older than those photographed by Lee Kington near Bridge 6 in the canyon. The former look kind of unkempt. Like teenagers, if you will. Especially contrasted with the adult.
*Okay, these weren't taken in the canyon, but given the current restrictions on being anywhere in the Coronado National Forest, I'm posting anyway. Besides, they are from Ned :- )

Made in the shade!

Photos by Matt Ball

click photo for larger

Two deer staying cool! And one coming in to join the party.
Very cool birthday wishes to my dear friend Carol Tornow.

Don't mess with me!

Photo by Ned Harris

As always, click photo for larger view. If you dare....
This male Desert Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus magister) is showing his true colors. The blue-green under the throat (and belly) is the sign of the male. Kingdom: Animalia (of course); Phylum: Chordata; Class: Sauropsida; Order: Squamata (scaled reptiles); Family: Phrynosomatidae.

Protect Sabino Canyon

Dick Grisham (SCVN Class of 2007!) did the research and wrote the plan. Here, I've excerpted two sections (grocery stores and government) that I think might get the most positive response. Many thanks to Dick for this post:

My line of attack is:
1. Those selling fireworks are selling something for which there is no lawful use. Both the county and the city of Tucson have made all consumer use of fireworks illegal.
2. Sabino Canyon is a great treasure of Arizona. That there are sales of fireworks within a mile or two of the canyon increases the risk of serious damage to the canyon.
3. And fundamentally, it is mindless to sell fireworks when this part of Arizona is in an extreme drought that has already produced disastrous fires.

Grocery Stores: Both Basha's and Safeway have fireworks displays inside their stores. Whenever you are in one of the local stores, ask for the manager and protest mightily [but politely]. I have done so at the Basha's at Sunrise and Kolb and was received positively.  

Basha's Corporate Office Public Relations 480 895-5369. To send an email, go to Bashas.com, click on Contact Us (top right) which will take you to a page from which you can send an email.
Safeway at Tanque Verde and Sabino Canyon 731-0117. Safeway at Sunrise and Swan 299-3534. To send an email, got to safeway.com, scroll to the bottom, click on Contact Us (under 'Company Info') and then Comments and Suggestions.

Government: I think we should make our representatives sweat a bit about their votes for HB 2246. I indicated that those who voted for HB 2246 will have a direct and personal responsibility for any fires that arise from consumer use of fireworks. The Sabino Canyon area is mostly in District 30.
Senator Frank Antenori, fantenori@azleg.gov 602 926-5683
Representative David Gowan, dgowan@azleg.gov  602 926-3312
Representative Ted Vogt, tvogt@azleg.gov  602 926-3235
For legislators from other districts, go to Arizona Legislature and you will find member rosters.

Beauty and the Buttonbush

Photo by Ned Harris

The Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) is an insect (but not a true bug) in the order Lepidoptera, family Papilionidae. As caterpillars (i.e., larvae), these are seriously ugly critters. What a transformation! The Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is neither an insect (whoo hoo!) nor a button; but its bark is worse than its bite. It's poisonous.

Not just for mesquite bugs anymore!

Photo by Peggy Wenrick, click for larger

Just what makes that little ol' ant think she can eat a big mesquite plant?? An ant and a paper wasp (yes, upside down) on a mesquite pod. Bob and Peggy Wenrick saw this wasp on the way up the road on Friday, 6/24/11, and the wasp was still there on the way down, an hour or so later. That's some good mesquite juice!

Photo by Peggy Wenrick, click for larger

You'll be happy to know that ants and wasps are insects (class) and Hymenoptera (order). 

 

Even less taxonomy!

This morning Gayle and I had the good fortune of meeting Lee Kington as he was taking more photos of the three fledglings in the Cooper's Hawk nest by Bridge 6. He gave us his card and said it would be fine to post a link to his photos. Cooper's Hawk fledglings, up close and personal. His Sabino Canyon 'home' page leads to other fine photos as well. Thanks, Lee.