Embark on a journey through the serene Rincon Mountain Wilderness with me. Witness the rugged beauty of the Hedgehog Cactus and the whispering Bear Grass through my lens. Let’s unravel the secrets of the desert together, and find solace in the still life of the Happy Valley Saddle. Join me, and let’s capture the enduring spirit of Arizona’s hidden treasures.
Discover a timeless world through my lens: delve into Arizona’s Rincon Wilderness, where lichens and hedgehog cacti narrate Earth’s enduring, untold story. Join me.
Step into the Rincon Wilderness with me, where the Southwestern Paintbrush blooms amidst the ancient stones.
In the embrace of the Rincon Mountains, east of Tucson’s hum, lies the Rincon Wilderness, a tapestry of desert life and geological marvels. These mountains, one of the “Sky Island” ranges cradling the Tucson valley, are less rugged than their siblings, the Santa Catalinas and the Santa Ritas, offering a gentler invitation to explore their secrets.
Amidst the rugged beauty of Happy Valley, a hidden corner in the quilt of the Rincon Wilderness, a singular red-orange glow caught my eye. There, among the lichen-encrusted boulders, stood the Southwestern Paintbrush, Castilleja integra, its flamboyant bracts a fiery contrast to the muted greens and grays of its surroundings.
This herbaceous perennial, with its soft downy coat, is a paradox, both painting the desert with life and leeching it from others as a hemi-parasite. Its roots, entwined with those of other desert dwellers, tell a tale of survival that’s as old as the hills themselves.
Each leaf, narrow and dusted with hairs, speaks to the adaptive artistry of nature, designed to conserve precious moisture. The flowers, with their extended blooming season and generous nectar, court the hummingbirds who dance between the blooms, pollinators in this ancient symbiosis.
The Southwestern Paintbrush, with its colorful allure, draws more than just winged admirers. Its presence among the rocks is a reminder of the complex ecological web of the Rincon Wilderness, a part of Saguaro National Park’s rich mosaic
Step into the serene embrace of Happy Valley Saddle through our latest blog post, and wander with us as the dawn unfolds over the majestic Rincon Peak.
In the early dawn, I walked the path to Killen, drawn by the legacy of my mother’s Irish youth. An abandoned hay wagon stood, a relic amidst the whispers of history and myth. Join me in uncovering the roots that intertwine family and the enduring Irish land.
Discover the Sego Lily, Calochortus nuttallii, a symbol of resilience and beauty in the arid deserts of the West. Uncover its role in pioneer survival and its captivating presence on a serene April backpack into the Rincon Wilderness. Join us in exploring the enduring grace of this desert gem.
Embrace with me the unique splendor of southern Arizona’s deserts in November. Join me atop the Tanque Verde Ridge as we capture the last light accentuating the saguaros against an evolving sky.
Step into our blog and immerse yourself in the untamed beauty of the Snake River, where majestic eagles soar and nature’s wonders await.
Step into the heart of the Sonoran Desert with me, where the saguaro cactus stands as a timeless giant, a symbol of resilience and beauty. This majestic sentinel of the Southwest is not just a plant; it’s a vibrant ecosystem and a cultural icon, embodying the spirit of endurance. Let’s explore its centuries-long journey, its role as a haven for desert wildlife, and its deep significance to the indigenous peoples. Join me in celebrating the saguaro’s enduring legacy, a narrative of survival and the profound beauty of life in the harshest conditions.
1975 University of Arizona alumnus recounts annual homecoming trips and an encounter with a haunted ranch.
In my Homecoming Parade 2003, I described my initial reconnection with the University of Arizona (U of A) as a 1975 graduate and alumnus. This personal project of involvement with U of A and Arizona continued through 2011 with annual autumn trips to coincide with Homecoming. The travel was as a CALS (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences) Alumni Board of Directors member, a primary responsibility was raising funds for scholarships.
I met, Linda Kelly, the owner of the Triangle T Guest Ranch, while camping in the Chiricahua Mountains. I arrived a week before homecoming to photograph the landscape, nature and rock formations of the Chiricahua National Monument. Click this link for my Arizona Online gallery, including some work from that time. Linda and a friend were visiting that day and we struck up a conversation about the area and her Triangle T Guest ranch. The next day I was scheduled to guest lecture a class at the U of A, as an alumnus of CALS. The ranch was on the way and I needed a place to stay, so Linda gave me directions and I checked in.
She gave me a tour of the incredible weather granite rock formations of Texas Canyon and, meanwhile, shared stories of the history of Texas Canyon. It is appropriate for the Amerind Foundation to be here (see first photograph), the winter camp of an Apache tribe for generations.
That night, my request was for a room storied to be haunted by a spirit they call “Grandma,” as in when her footsteps wake you from a sound sleep you say, “It’s all right, Grandmother.” She woke me that night, footsteps in the dark, hollow on the wood floor, the room filled with a hard cold. I talked to her, without a response, while swinging my legs out of bed to reach the gas heater in the wall. I turned on the heat and the sound of expanding metal heat fins lulled me to sleep.
It made a good story for the students. They were surprised I could fall back asleep, but after all I had to be there the following morning.
I gave Linda a few of my photographs from that day and we made arrangements for the Triangle T to supply a two night package for the CALS “Dean’s Almost World Famous Burrito Breakfast” silent auction during 2008 homecoming.
Michael Stephen Wills Photography 
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