D Yak ()'s photostream  

© Diana Yakowitz 2012 All rights reserved.
This little bell chapel is adjacent to the main Chapel of Mission San Xavier del Bac just outside of Tucson. Liked the geometry of the gate and this little three bell tower seen also in the previous image in the comment below.

Not like me to post so many religiously connected images. I loved the historic sense of the place but the idea of imposing a new religion on a people who had there own beliefs, much older beliefs, I find so arrogant and patronizing. Just had to air a mini rant.

Out to take pictures up here finally. Be back latter to comment.

© Diana Yakowitz 2012 All rights reserved.
This is an average size Mesquite tree receiving only rain and underground water. When they are on a watering system, they can get twice this size. Mesquite are hard to kill. They produce a deep tap root (40 feet) to access water aquifers in the desert. The beans produced by the tree can be ground into a flour meal. The dark wood produces a very aromatic smoke and is used for grilling meats and fish.

The mission is in the background. This is the outside of the wall in one of my previous images posted and in the comment below.

© Diana Yakowitz 2012 All rights reserved.
This female Hummingbird caught my eye during most of my visit to the Hummingbird Habitat at the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum earlier this month. Sleek and beautiful tiny bird.

While I am still grieving the death of my dear friend Hazel, the "Home Going" for Whitney Houston is being televised and it seems fitting that though this is not a song bird, it is a delicate bird, and both these individuals. as are we all, were such. Remembering those that touch our lives.

© Diana Yakowitz 2012 All rights reserved.
Rock formed memorial graffiti like this was all over the desert grounds surrounding the San Xavier Mission.

© Diana Yakowitz 2012 All rights reserved.
A wall in a small courtyard next to the main Mission San Xavier chaple. I am hoping that the refurbishing of this mission leaves this wall as is - repairs but so much texture and contrast with the plant life. This cholla cactus is also known as Jumping Cholla because the roots are so shallow that if you step too close it tips towards you and you get all those needles that come off the cacti really easily and stay in your skin. The broken pieces that fall to the ground root very easily so this is one of the way it spreads itself over the desert. The fruit provide food and water to desert animals.