Impressionist Reflections

More beautiful reflections on Sabino Creek from Marty Horowitz in December 2016.

Wherever we find ourselves, let's create positive change in 2017!

Owl be here!

Barn Owls are not normally out in the daytime. You can see one up close, though, at the Raptor Free Flight at ASDM.

Where are ewe headed?

In a world of infinite resources, we could do everything. That is not (yet) our world, though, so we have to make choices. These Desert Bighorn Sheep ask: "Which direction will ewe go in 2017?"


From the link above:
Desert bighorn sheep are stocky, heavy-bodied sheep, similar in size to mule deer. Weights of mature rams range from 115 to 280 pounds (55 to 90 kg), while ewes are somewhat smaller. Due to their unique concave elastic hooves,[3] bighorn are able to climb the steep, rocky terrain of the desert mountains with speed and agility. They rely on their keen eyesight to detect potential predators, such as mountain lions, coyotes, and bobcats, and they use their climbing ability to escape.[4]

Both genders develop horns soon after birth, with horn growth continuing more or less throughout life. Older rams have impressive sets of curling horns measuring over three feet long with more than one foot of circumference at the base. The ewes' horns are much smaller and lighter and do not tend to curl. After eight years of growth, the horns of an adult ram may weigh more than 30 pounds.[3] Annual growth rings indicate the animal's age. The rams may rub their own horns to improve their field of view.[3] Both rams and ewes use their horns as tools to break open cactus, which they consume, and for fighting.[4]

Desert bighorn sheep typically live for 10–20 years.[5] The typical diet of a desert bighorn sheep is mainly grasses.[3] When grasses are unavailable, they turn to other food sources, such as sedges, forbs, or cacti.[3]

On the Rocks

Coyotes, like all living things, can vary in size and color (within a range) depending on genetics and environment. Even though they are in the same genus as dogs (and wolves), give them their space. Do not pet.

Lion Around

Nice kitty!

Mountain Lions are also known as pumas, cougars, and catamounts. I've not heard the latter used in Arizona. Thanks to the many readers who let me know that catamount is used in the Northeast, especially Vermont.

Smiling Wolf

You may have noticed that I've posted quite a few re-runs lately. Among other happenings since October, I did not get the work-from-home job I was hoping for. Alas, for the foreseeable future, I will have much less time to devote to this blog. In order to keep it "Your Daily Dose," I'll likely post more re-runs* in 2017. Better than nothing at all, I hope.

(*You may also have noticed a lack of photos from Ned Harris. He'll be out of commission for a while longer, so I'll try to re-run his photos as often as possible.)

As always, thank you for your support of my blog this year. The photos make all the difference, of course, but I hope I can still provide some added value (even if only via re-runs).

If you can afford to, please toss a few coins in the tip jar at  PayPal.me/AnneGreenAZ. Your support is greatly appreciated. And your support keeps this blog free of ads (and free for all those who can't afford to donate). Thank you to everyone who contributed in 2016!

Let's work together even more in 2017 to make our world a better place for all!

Mexican Gray Wolf
Photo by Ellen Green 12/21/2016

For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.

- Rudyard Kipling

Yin Yang Javelinas

Photo by Matt Ball 12/21/2016

The javelinas were very active at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum last week. This is my favorite shot of some mutual rear end scratching.Bonus ear rubs, too!

More December beauty

From December 2013

December beauty

From December 2015

Another Fred Find

Also posted in December 2014.

Exceptional

From December 2014. And yes, I still have that sweatshirt : -)

Blast from Past Pasts

From December 2013

More from Before, too

Stink Bug nymph, from December 2012

More from Before

I need to run more from before this month. So here goes: 

A fine fruit from December 2012

Coati Sighting

Photo by Fred Heath 12/15/2016

Fred writes:

Today (Thursday, 12/15/2016) Mary and I were walking up the main tram road, when on the rocky slopes near bridge #2, she noticed and called my attention to a coati. This was quite exciting for me as I’ve never seen a coati in Sabino. The animal looked normal as it climbed the along the cliff going higher. It stopped for a few moments, enabling me to get a decent photo and then continued on its way.

I hate to think negative thoughts, but as there have been several cases of rabid foxes in the area (which might include the dead one between the two Bear Canyon tram road bridges), in the back of my mind I wondered if this sighting of a lone animal out in the open was also the result of the rabies virus. I hope not. In checking on animals that get rabies, I see that coatis are known to contract the disease. Enjoy your coati sightings from a distance.

 Thanks, Fred and Mary, for a great sighting and great advice!

Scene from Gene

Photo by Gene Spesard 12/7/2016

Some beautiful color still to be seen! Get out there!

Artifacts

Marty brings us these artifacts near the dam in Sabino. 

Photos by Marty Horowitz 12/7/2016

USGS Marker at Old Depth Gauge on dam

Sabino Lake Depth Gauge

Search for these the next time you are out and about!

Male and Female

Phainopeplas are sexually dimorphic, i.e., the sexes look different. In the bird world, the males are more colorful and/or more elaborate. 

Photos by Marty Horowitz 12/7/2016

Yes, this is a male Phainopepla.

On the branch to the right of this female, you'll see some Phainopepla deposits : - )

Western Bluebird of Happiness

Photo by Marty Horowitz 12/7/2016

The Western Bluebird is a winter visitor to Sabino Canyon. Marty caught this one in mid-deposit. What do these birds eat? Allaboutbirds.org tells us:

During summer Western Bluebirds eat mainly insects; in winter they switch to eating mostly fruits and seeds, supplemented with insects. They typically catch ground-dwelling insects such as grasshoppers, caterpillars, beetles, ants, wasps, and pillbugs, as well as eating spiders and snails. They’ve been seen catching marine invertebrates on beaches. Winter foods include many kinds of berries, particularly elderberry, grapes, mistletoe, raspberries and blackberries, serviceberry, sumac, chokecherries, juniper, and poison oak.

Photo by Bill Kaufman 12/7/2016

You know this hawk!

All photos copyright Bill Kaufman 12/7/2016

That's right! A Red-tailed Hawk soaring in Sabino!

Water Colors

Another gorgeous reflection in/on Sabino Creek by Marty Horowitz 12/5/2016

Click for larger view

Early or late, Sabino Canyon is great!

Butterfly Portrait

Photo by Marty Horowitz 12/3/2016

A beautiful White Checkered-Skipper (yes, an adult : - ) on a Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata) (yes, in the Sunflower family).

More from Julie

Inspired by Ned's raptor photos, Julie captured this Cooper's Hawk with breakfast. Or lunch.

Photos by Julie Miller 12/4/2016

Don't try this at home!

A Walk in the Canyon

Bonus from December 2015

Snow Pea?

December 2015 Visitor

Intricate Relationships

One of Fred's Finds, December 2014

Always a Party with Marty

Dances with Ducks, from December 2013

Incredible Edible

Fruity Goodness, from December 2012

Back to a December past

Another beautiful shot from December 2011

After the rains

Best of December series

This post from December 2010 is one of Ned's favorites!

Deck the Halls with Puffballs!

Close up

Photo by Marty Horowitz 11/28/2016

Greater Roadrunner shows off beautiful desert colors!