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Anyone who hikes desert trails – or putters around their Gold Canyon or Apache Junction back yard – has pondered this question: “what critter made that little hole in the ground?” Guides who lead nature walks at Boyce Thompson Arboretum field that question often; this Saturday, Dec. 6, brings your chance to hear answers from a naturalist who quite literally “wrote the book” about desert holes: Pinau Merlin. The Tucson writer is among featured authors at Boyce Thompson Arboretum during an all day festival of authors and books; dozens of authors will be there – any several are
leading walks, lectures and chances to learn firsthand about subjects ranging from birdwatching (events begin with a 9am guided walk with Jim Burns), to a ‘Desert Holes’ guided walk at 1pm with Pinau Merlin; readings of kids’ books – and even a walk for photographers at 3:00pm lead by author Colleen Miniuk-Sperry. Events are included with daily BTA admission of $10 for adults, $5 ages 5-12. Organized to showcase Arizona authors, the Saturday event will feature outdoor activities (readings & talks indoors, in the event of rain). Authors will sell their books – and be available for autographs.
Check BTA’s website ag.arizona.edu/bta to confirm specific event times; the schedule as of last week features these: 9am bird walk guided by Jim Burns (“Arizona Birds”); 10:00 a.m. “Monster in the Rocks” by children’s author Conrad Storad 10:30 a.m. “Ghost Stories at Silver King and Florence” by Jack San Felice; 11:00 a.m. “The Piano Player” by Tucson writer Carolyn Niethammer; 11:30 a.m. “Santa’s Sugar” by children’s author Jane Gerencher; 12:00 Noon cooking demonstration by Carolyn Niethammer (“American Indian Cooking,” “The Prickly Pear Cookbook”); 1:00 p.m. “Desert Holes” guided walk by Pinau Merlin; 1pm Jim Burns gives a talk and reading from his book “Owls: Journey Through a Shadowed World,” 1:00 pm Elizabeth Davidson will read from “Cheery, The True Adventures of a Chiricahua Leopard Frog;” 1:30 p.m. Gary Every reads from “Shadow of the OhshaD: A Collection of Arizona Adventures”; 3:00 p.m. professional photographer Colleen Miniuk-Sperry guides a 3:00 p.m. photography walk, demonstrating how December’s golden late afternoon sunlight can be perfect for photography composition. She’s co-author of “Wild About Photographing Arizona’s Wildflowers” and other camera primers.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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