Sonoran Connection: How Green is My Valley

Monday, August 23, 2010

How Green is My Valley

It has been an adequate monsoon season here in the desert areas surrounding Tucson Arizona. Temperatures have been running in the high 90's and low hundreds for what seems like forever. With the monsoon rains comes the humidity which most desert dwellers welcome except we humans who have gotten used to 8 or 9 percent humidity and have little tolerance for anything above 15 percent.

With the rains comes an amazing display of blossoms and greenery that is almost unbelievable considering that the transformation happens within weeks of the first rains.

This post isn't about what the plants are but instead is to show how a dry desert becomes a lush garden under the right conditions.

These photographs were taken at the Arivaca Cienega and Madera Canyon over the weekend. Where ever we went it was green and lush vegetation with lots and lots of flowers for added color.

Hardly makes one think Desert. This remarkable transformation is one of the reasons I love this place even though I'm not fond of heat and humidity!

3 comments:

Bosque BillAugust 23, 2010 at 4:38 PM
Ray, what a beautiful collection of photographs! You have shown us the transformation of the desert with a series of wonderful compositions.
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cindyzlogicAugust 24, 2010 at 2:01 PM
Beautiful blooms and nature photography, Ray! My favorite is the blooms in the first photo.
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Whimbrel NatureAugust 25, 2010 at 7:38 PM
Great post Ray! Your cactus images just blow me away every time. Gorgeous!
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Recommended Books And Films

California Condors in Arizona

VERMILION CLIFFS, Ariz. – California condors will be released to the wild in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in northern Arizona at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28. The public is welcome to observe the release from a viewing area where spotting scopes will be set up and experts will be available to answer questions.

http://www.peregrinefund.org/news-release/267

http://www.peregrinefund.org/home-feature/condor

Everything you should know about California Condors. http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/106003821/0

News Release: http://1.usa.gov/QmvwBu

Sonoran Connection applauds the Peregrine Fund for it's efforts to save the California Condor in Arizona.

www.peregrinefund.org/conserve_category.asp?category=California%20Condor%20Restoration

www.peregrinefund.org/press_full.asp?id=192&category=California%20Condor

Check out this update on the Condor program 15 years after it began.

grandcanyonnews.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=9669&TM=53459.1

www.thecondorsshadow.com

#1 National Parks and Conservation Association

My all time favorite organization is the National Parks and Conservation Organization. I have been a member for many years advocating for the parks on a wide range of issues including air pollution, limiting snowmobiles in Yellowstone, creating new parks and maintaining others for future generations. The web site is www.npca.org. I encourage everyone to check out this site and see how you can become involved in a great organization.

Sonoran Connection does not accept donations on behalf of NPCA or any other group. If you wish to donate go directly to the organizations website. www.npca.com

#2 Buffalo Field Campaign

The Buffalo Field Campaign holds a special place in my environmental heart. This organization's purpose is to protect and preserve the wild buffalo of Yellowstone National Park who are under assault from the State of Montana, local cattle ranchers and oddly enough the federal Government via the National Park Service.

AMERICAN BUFFALO ELIMINATED from the last wild population in the U.S. The last wild population is currently estimated at fewer than 4,300 individual buffalo. Wild bison are currently ecologically extinct throughout their native range in North America.

2014-2015

Total Buffalo Killed: 399 (+/-)

Government Capture: 477 (+/-)

Buffalo Released from Capture: 0

Government Slaughter:

Tribal - ITBC & CSKT Slaughter: 248 (+/-)

Died in Government Trap: 3

Died in Government Research Facility**:

Miscarriage in Government Trap:

State Hunt: 13

Treaty Hunts: 128

Unknown Hunts:

Poached in Yellowstone:

Sent to Quarantine:

Sent to APHIS Research Facility: 7

Shot by Agents:

Shot by Landowner:

Highway Mortality:

Cause of Death Unknown:

Total Killed in Previous Years*

2012-2013: 653

2012-2013: 261

2011-2012: 33

2010-2011: 227

2009-2010: 7

2008-2009: 22

2007-2008: 1,631

Total Killed Since 2000: 5,286

www.buffalofieldcampaign.org

#3 Greenpeace

Greenpeace shares my values in that it is both confrontational and peaceful at the same time. It's campaign to protect the worlds oceans and prevent the spread of nuclear materials are both high priorities of mine. I also love their ability to stay independent and call it like it is regardless who the offending party is. They can be reached at www.greenpeace.org/usa/

"Our core values are reflected in our environmental campaign work: We 'bear witness' to environmental destruction in a peaceful, non-violent manner. We use non-violent confrontation to raise the level and quality of public debate. In exposing threats to the environment and finding solutions we have no permanent allies or adversaries. We ensure our financial independence from political or commercial interests. We seek solutions for, and promote open, informed debate about society's environmental choices."

#4 Defenders of Wildlife

This is a group whose mission is to protect wildlife. They not only advocate for wildlife but also do great field work especially in the area of protecting wolves around the country. Their website is www.defenders.org/ I especially like being kept informed about the plight of wildlife across America and being able to advocate on their behalf though e-mail.

"Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities. We work with local communities, land owners and government leaders to encourage common-sense solutions that protect the interests of wildlife and people." www.defenders.org/

Sandhill Crane Watch 2010-2011

Friday October 8th we spotted 30 sandhills at Whitewater Draw.

Tuesday October 12 190 sandhills returned to Whitewater Draw.

Saturday October 16, Headed to Whitewater at 4 AM so we can be there at sunrise

What a day it turned out to be! We were thrilled to see the return of between 1600 and 1800 Sandhills flying in from the north in various sized flocks.

Saturday October 30th we will return to Whitewater for an update. We are planning on going later in the day so we can be there around 2:30 PM

Here is a link to a very informative site on cranes:www.savingcranes.org/sandhill-crane.html

Friday October 29th We headed to Whitewater a day early and I estimate the Sandhill population at somewhere between 10,000 and 15,000 birds. I will put a post up on this blog tomorrow, so stay tuned!

Her's an interesting and informative website regarding the efforts to return the Whooping Crane population in America to health. www.bringbackthecranes.org/recovery/index.html

We are going to be in Willcox Az on Saturday Nov 20th on business and will take the opportunity to do a little Sandhill watching while we are there. I am very excited because I ordered my new camera yesterday and will have it in time for this trip!

My camera is scheduled to arrive tomorrow and we are planning to take a trip to check out Ramsey Canyon Preserve near Sierra Vista on Saturday to test it out. We already have a trip to Willcox planned next week for updates on the Sandhills.

The new camera is here and now I have to learn how to use it. Wilcox Sandhills will be a good test on Saturday.

Our trip turned out to be a successful one with sightings of thousands of Sandhill's at Apache Station.

Our plan is to head back to Whitewater Draw on Friday Dec. 3rd to do an update. If all goes well the post will be up on Saturday.

12/3/10 Traveled alone to Whitewater Draw where I watched Sandhills come and go for the entire morning.

1/1/11 Traveled to Whitewater Draw and were treated to the most amazing display of Sandhill Cranes yet. The skies were literally full of Sandhills and snow geese. Estimated number of Sandhills 30,000.