Autumn is here

In the Sonoran desert, the indications of autumn can be subtle. Grasses set seed, summer annuals die back, and ephemeral pools dry up. Fall is a season of brown. But there are exceptions, including this desert cotton (Gossypium thurberi). Its leaves turn a scarlet, almost purple shade of red. Soon the pods will open, but…

Top of the world

Another hot day in Tucson, bringing back memories of cold mountain-tops. Above is Treasury Mountain (13462′ elevation) at the edge of the Raggeds Wilderness in Colorado. When I took this photograph at the end of July there was still deep snow on most of the high ridges. An inhospitable place for life to take hold,…