Bighorn Pneumonia Deaths, UFOs, Fires, Bowden – 8/16/2015

First the first time in months there was some bad news for the Bighorn Sheep in the Santa Catalina Mountains with 3 deaths reported. While some deaths are inevitable Pneumonia has been identified as a cause and that could cause delays in plans for releasing additional sheep – Mark Hart for AZGF: “That doesn’t mean we couldn’t come back later and do an introduction in 2016 or 2017, but until we’re sure how widespread the disease is among the population up there, we’re going to have to take a wait and see attitude.”

 

Wildfire Can Benefit Wildlife; Bighorns Not in Danger – Arizona Public Media, Latest on bighorn sheep from AZ Game and Fish – Tucson News Now: AZGF reports that the Buster Mountain Fire and Finger Rock Fire did not have a negative impact on the Bighorn Sheep in the Santa Catalina Mountains and that in fact these fires will probably improve the habitat for the sheep.

Hiker reported missing in Catalina State Park has been found – Tucson.com: A hiker that was late returning from a few nights on the mountain is located and able to walk out with assistance.

Kerwin Dewberry incoming Coronado National Forest Supervisor and Ken Born new Santa Catalina District Ranger: New personnel in Coronado National Forest and the Santa Catalina Ranger District.

UFO Lights Up Tucson Sky Like Christmas Tree – Huffpost Weird News, UFOs caught on video by two night vision cameras near Tucson, Arizona – OpenMinds UFO News and Investigations:  UFOs filmed from Sabino Canyon over the Santa Catalina Mountains?!?

Late author Chuck Bowden will be honored Saturday – Arizona Daily Star,  Mt. Lemmon center to be dedicated Saturday to late author Chuck Bowden – TucsonSentinel.com: The community center on Mount Lemmon will be named for well known author and journalist Charles Bowden. Supervisor Ray Carol said “we thought it was appropriate to name the Mount Lemmon Community Center for him because of his devotion to the Catalina.” Bowden wrote the brilliant and sad Frog Mountain Blues about the Santa Catalina Mountains.

Injured vulture on Mount Lemmon released into wild – KVOA.com: A nice story about a injured vulture who was caught, allowed to recover and released back on the mountain.

Sabino Canyon remains open while restroom repaired – Tucson News Now, Sabino Canyon Visitor Center restroom to be reconditioned – Coronado National Forest

See a quirky cactus collaboration in Sabino Canyon – Arizona Daily Star: A prickly pear growing on a Saguaro…

 

Other Trail Incidents:

  • Hikers or Bikers loosing the trail: Sutherland Trail (this is likely not the last time this will happen – currently Sutherland is an attractive route up/down the mountain but one of the easier trails to get lost on), Butterfly Trail
  • Heat/Illness: Bear Canyon to Seven Falls and Pima Canyon

Buster Mountain Fire – 7/14/2015

Reported at 60 acres with some expectation that it will burn out or be put out by rain I wasn’t really sure what this lightning caused fire would look like. I stopped briefly near the Linda Vista trail and watched flames peak over the ridge and highlight the smoke in the sky – interesting but not so impressive. Driving farther north the view changed quickly and soon I stood with a handful of other people just inside Catalina State Park watching the fire – from here quite a bit more impressive…

1507 Buster Mountain Fire 01
Watching the fire – just off the road into Catalina State Park. July 2015.
1507 Buster Mountain Fire 02
Buster Mountain Fire. July 2015.
1507 Buster Mountain Fire 03
Buster Mountain Fire. July 2015.
1507 Buster Mountain Fire 04
Buster Mountain Fire. July 2015.

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