A Dragon and a Damsel

Fly, that is!
The dragonfly (wings perpendicular to body when landed)  is a Gray Sanddragon, photo by Bill Kaufman.


The damselfly (wings parallel to body) is a Vivid Dancer, photo by Marge Kesler, taken on Mt. Lemmon.

Ned sees red! (Photos by Ned Harris)

Cooper's Hawk on a lizard walk

Bill Kaufman took this shot on yesterdays lizard program in the canyon. Lizards were also seen. And dragonflies.

Dam Arundo

Jean and Mark took this photo on 20 July in the riparian area above the dam. I can confirm this head-high regrowth. Clearly, the dam area needs more intensive treatment to get rid of the arundo for good. Please contact Angie, the new Forest Service point person for this project, and request that the herbicide (5% Rodeo) be applied regularly to this area for as long as it takes. aelam at fs dot fed dot us

Frog on Blog

Photos from Bruce from yesterday. (24 July).
He assures me that no toads were licked in the taking of these photos. If anyone has photos from today that they'd like to share, please send them to me. Anne
(I wasn't able to make it to the canyon. Too much toad licking.)

Water and 2 Bs

Yes, there's flowing water in the creek! I took this video with my fancy-schmancy ipod (well, I took several; this is the best. Trust me.) Click here to view: water

LOTS of bees buzzing the hummingbird banding this morning. (Video will be posted here as soon as permission is granted.) Encountered two of my favorite 'bees' (Bryna and Bruce), who identified Red-spotted and Sonoron desert toads in the creek, on the west side, south of the Bear Canyon bridge. According to an expert, more red should be spotted tomorrow early. I'll be(e) there.

Humming along!

Hummingbird banding in Sabino Canyon SATURDAY 7/25, Sunrise + 5 hours.
Go early, go often, take visitors!

Banding on Mt. Lemmon on Sunday, 7/25.
(Photo from Jean Hengesbaugh from 7/11/10)
More info: Hummingbird Monitoring Network

And, because you can never have too many hummingbirds, the 'Making of PBS Hummingbird Documentary'. Click here!!
(Thanks to Carol T for this link)

Update: Lyre Snake brings Comments

Thanks to Fred Heath for identifying the lyre snake in the bark of a Goodding's willow in the riparian area. (I've updated the post.) Henceforth, you'll be able to comment on any of the blog posts (and correct any mistakes). The comments are monitored (by me :-) before being put through, so you needn't worry about making a mistake.  At least that the way I hope it's set up. Use your indoor voice.

What's a little Gray Hairstreak?

Ned Harris has one! He photographed this beautiful butterfly on a Buttonbush in Sabino Canyon on Saturday 7/10/10. Buttonbushes are real insect 'magnets'. This one is on the west end of the dam bridge.

Bugs are bugs.

Ned recently sent this link to Margarethe's bug blog. This post is everything you ever wanted to know about Giant Mesquite Bugs (photo here by Matt Ball, but there are plenty of great photos by Ned and others on her blog). Carol and I spotted some on 'Ned's tree' (the one below the dam, where you are sure to see an ornate tree lizard or two).

Margarethe's post on Giant Mesquite bugs.

And check out her wonderful artwork, too!

Raptor man soars again!

Ned Harris, our favorite raptor man, caught this remarkable red-tailed hawk in flight on Monday, 5 July. This one is for the raptor book, too, I hope!

Check out Ned's flicker site for more photos of birds, bugs, butterflies, and a Bedlington Terrier.
Ned Harris Photos on Flicker

Snake's bark worse than bite?

In the riparian area early on 27 June, I noticed this guy snoozing. Update: Fred saw this snake as well. It's a Lyre snake. They are nocturnal; this one was sleeping off dinner. (Photo by Matt Ball)

Tomato and Walnut

Greetings Sabino Canyon Fans!

Inspired by friends and fellow naturalists Patricia, Bryna, and Carol, I've decided to make this a place to share what we see, find, and experience in Sabino Canyon. This is for everyone who enjoys the sights, sounds, and seasons in the canyon. You don't need to do anything but read :-)

In order to keep it simple (at least initially), the 'comment' section has been turned OFF. (Only I can post. And you can't make a mistake.) If you have something to share, please send both text and photos to me (amgreenvo at gmail - or comcast). I hope to post once a week or so. No stress :-)



First up is the tomato:
Patricia and I noticed this one on a lizard walk on 15 June. There was only one (green) fruit at the time. As of Saturday 3 July c. 7am, it was still there, looking like this. To find it (before it rains or someone eats it), go below the dam. Facing the dam, cross over to the far right. You should see it by the dam wall. (Photos by Matt Ball)





No doubt better for the return of the natives than a sandwich filling gone awry is the Arizona Walnut sapling Carol and I noticed recently in the riparian area. Clearly, taking out the giant reed allowed sunlight to reach in and get this little tree off to a good start. Kudos to Mark and Jean Hengesbaugh for not giving up!

Please send comments, questions, photos, ideas! Let's enjoy this wonderful place.