Deep in the Vekol
by Judy Kennedy
Title
Deep in the Vekol
Artist
Judy Kennedy
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
This is a mequite tree branch in golden hour overhanging the Vekol Wash in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. The Vekol Wash is a deep, wide, historically and ecologically significant xeroriparian wash - an orroyo (wash or ravine in Spanish.) Most folks know what riparian means. Xeroriparian means it is dry but always lush and green, despite running through one of the most driest, hottest spots on the planet. But the Sonoran Desert is the United States’ most ecologically diverse desert, and places like this add to its unique beauty. Crawl out of its banks and you find yourself in a flat desert bajada full of giant cacti and creosote bushes surrounded by small hills. It’s another world in the Vekol - especially in late summer during monsoon season when it floods and forms a raging river over its gravely bottom, always leaving an indelible mark on this fragile ecosystem supporting the diversity for which this desert is known. The Vekol wash was an important trade route for the indigenous peoples that once inhabited the area. It still is today for wildlife and certain folks like smugglers and drug dealers coming up from Mexico. The “bad guys” are like any other potentially dangerous animal. They wish to avoid all contact and will leave you alone if you leave them alone. Besides, their numbers have decreased over the years probably due to increased surveillance of the borderlands. At any rate, I feel very fortunate to live next to this wash in all its beauty and able to share it with you!
Uploaded
June 11th, 2020
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