Summer Seeds Are Falling Like Leaves
If you were to walk the streets of my neighborhood these days, you could be forgiven for thinking it’s autumn. The portions of sidewalks and yards under trees are carpeted with piles—but those are not piles of leaves. Instead, if you were to step closer, you would...
Coexisting in a Crowded World
A couple of weeks ago I got a surprise on my morning walk. As you can see from the photo above, I encountered a family of javelinas in one of the parks in my neighborhood. They weren’t happy to see me, and most of them ran quickly by (making them appear somewhat...
Contemplating Another Fire Season in the Desert Southwest
It’s fire season here in Arizona. There are multiple fires burning across the state, exacerbated by drought conditions that blanket the entire state and, in fact, the entire American Southwest. Yes, deserts are dry places, but most deserts get at least some rain, and...
The Flowers Are Not the Point
Cacti are blooming all over the Sonoran Desert right now. From ground-hugging hedgehogs to skyscraping saguaros, brilliant flowers are unveiling themselves in sartorial splendor. Many blooms last only a day, making it an exciting challenge for me to see how many I can...
Receive a complimentary download of Shirin’s latest e-book, Lakeside Lessons when you sign up for her enews!