University of Arizona
Sense of Place
Geos. 195D
Tucson Mts.The Tucson Mts. is one of the favorite natural-cultural history short trips around Tucson. It includes everything: geology, climate, desert plants and ecology, cultures, pollination, pack rats, etc.
Rock Jumble
A stop on Trail's End has about 10 different kinds of rocks in one place. How so much variety in geology?
Photo — Paul Sheppard, 2009
Balloon rides.
Photo — Ellie Oligmueller, 2012Giant Saguaro
We'll check out saguaro quite closely, including right next to the spines. Maybe we'll get lucky and see a bobcat "treed" up one of the giants.
Recent hard freeze likely will be death knell for many weaker saguaros: This 2011 AZ Daily Star article notes potential mortality of saguaro due to the cold snap early February 2011.
Saguaro spines up close.
Photo — Paul Sheppard, 2009
Saguaro Skyscraper.
Photo — Paul Sheppard, 2011
Saguaro top up close.
Photo — Gaizka Urreiztieta, 2011Gate's Pass
Gate's Pass has volcanic rock of the Tucson Mt. Caldera as well as outstanding vistas of more saguaro and more Basin and Range.
Tucson Oddity: Look up, down, all around: This 2012 AZ Daily Star article explains the stone structures at Gate's Pass.
Fist-sized limestone within Cat Mountain rhyolite.
Photo — Colleen Mathis, 2010
Gate's Overlook. Photo — Paul Sheppard, 2009
Avra Valley dust storm. Photo — Paul Sheppard, 2011Sus Picnic Area
Sus Picnic Area has new rocks, new minerals, new plants, new animals, and outstanding vistas.
Photo — Jayme Kelter, 2007
Rattlesnake, out in late January?
Photo — Paul Sheppard, 2012Petroglyph Artwork
Signal Hill is aptly named, as it has many ancient petroglyphs, i.e., images tapped into rocks. Who? Why? How long ago? What do they mean?
Photo — Jayme Kelter, 2007
Photo — Gaizka Urreiztieta, 2011
Chef Gary's Nopalitos Horneados
(baked prickly pear pads)1 pad fresh nopal, the fleshy part of prickly pear cactus some cooking oil pinch salt Dethorn and wash (rinse) nopal. Pat dry with paper
towel. Slice or dice as desired. In mixing bowl, add
nopalitos with oil and salt and stir. Place on cookie
sheet and bake at 400º F for 15 minutes. Serve
warm, room temperature, or chilled. Good with tor-
tilla chips or as toppings on other Sonoran dishes.
¡Qué sabroso!Team Photo, 2012
January, 2012, team photo of Sense of Place at Sus Picnic Area.
Photo — Paul Sheppard, 2012Back to Sense of Place Home Page
