A composer reflects on three decades of birdsong.
Tom Taylor
Posted inOctober 17, 2011: A Burning Problem
Where have all the Hatfields gone?
Politics aside, we need more senators and representatives like Mark Hatfield (HCN, 9/5/11). We used to have a couple of politicians here in Arizona who were political opposites — I mean really opposite. But they both got things done for the state: the straight-talkin’ Barry Goldwater and the great (for the landscape) Udalls. Can we […]
Posted inOctober 1, 2007: Sheep v. Sheep
He probably hates Johnny Cash, too
This response to Jonathan Thompson’s essay is not about the right to bear arms and the purpose of firearms (HCN, 9/3/07). (I do bear arms and I hunt with firearms.) Rather, it is more about the changing West. Thompson’s encounter with the Lexus-driving “bird man” reminds me of the sneer I got when I drove […]
Posted inMay 28, 2007: Problems In Paradise
Filet of filly–for lions and leopards
I have to agree with Sharon O’Toole for the most part about euthanizing our equines (HCN, 4/30/07). A few years ago, when my old saddle/packhorse needed to be put down, I dreaded not only the process of euthanizing, but also “offering” him to rendering works. Then I found out about donating him to a local […]
Posted inApril 2, 2007: Disposable Workers of the Oil and Gas Fields
Renewing an ancient bond
Jason Fisher’s essay on his experiences with mules brings optimism. Seems like the younger generations have strayed far away from such non-motorized pursuits. It is great to know there are still young individuals such as Fisher who like to see the landscape from atop an equine’s back. I challenge anyone to see how different the […]
Posted inSeptember 18, 2006: Going Big
Go native
I found “life after the lawn” several years ago. I have lived in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert all my life, but I let myself be led astray. When I was younger, I let Easterners and other assorted city slickers influence me to plant a Bermuda grass lawn and even a winter rye grass lawn. Both are […]
Posted inDecember 8, 2003: Riding the middle path
Bring back the green republicans!
Bully! Bully! Bully! Andrew Gulliford’s essay about President Teddy Roosevelt should be read by every card-carrying Republican (HCN, 10/13/03: Where’s Teddy when you need him?). I am and always have been a Republican. I would challenge that, between Roosevelt and Richard Nixon, we Republicans have produced some of the most significant conservation and protection legislation […]
Posted inMay 26, 2003: A losing battle
Adopt a burro!
In your photo gallery, you picture a llama guarding sheep (HCN, 3/31/03: Springtime on the ranch). I have to offer an alternative suggestion! All you cowmen and especially sheepmen, facing losses from coyotes, consider placing a solitary burro in your flock or herd. Burros cost about one-tenth the price of a llama, if you were […]