Arizona Illustrated

The Blind Bandit After Angel Garcia Nunez lost his sight in a suicide attempt, horses helped him find peace and purpose. He realized he loved rodeos and wanted to be the first blind professional Saddle Bronc Rider. See Angel attempt to make his dream a reality. Rose Canyon Lake The sixacre Rose Canyon Lake on Mt Lemmon provides an oasis surrounded by trees, and it is a favorite place for human and animal visitors. The man-made body of water is in the Santa Catalina Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest, which is responsible for managing the location which provides fishing and camping opportunities. The Arizona Game and Fish Department stocks the lake with trout but the lake is also home to other animals including non-native bullfrogs and crayfish. Jim and Paul Waid – The Visceral World We do not change because of what we know, we change because what we feel about what we know. Having an emotional experience with something created by an artist can make a difference. Jim Waid, a Tucson artist, who is in major museums including New York Museum of Modern Art, is celebrating a career of more than 40 years. He paints a visceral world bursting with life, filled with light and energy. His paintings change what we feel about the Sonoran Desert. His dreamy landscapes refence Abstract Expressionism, Color Field paintings and Victorian botanicals. Each brush stroke and color reflect a moment under Southwest's vast blue sky. Experiencing a Jim Waid painting in person means entering the mysterious world of Sonoran Desert’s exuberant fauna and walking under the shimmering Mesquite trees. Jim says, “my paintings are enactments of the world around me.” He invites all “to step right in!” Dragonflies Dragonflies have been around for 300 million years and are one of the first insects to inhabit this planet. They are extraordinary in many ways including hunting ability, reproductive cycle and lifespan. This story tags along with dragonfly expert Jeff Babson at an event called Dragonfly Day at Mission Garden and is a primer on the amazing creature.