Tim Steller: More questions on reintroducing bighorns

You could imagine the eye rolls around Tucson when it emerged June 7 that Arizona Game and Fish may end up killing some mountain lions in order to repopulate the Catalinas with bighorn sheep.

Caterpillars pitch tents in sci-fi-like numbers

There's a population explosion of tent-building caterpillars in trees of the higher mountains of Southern Arizona, like this one in the Catalinas.

Caterpillars pitch tents in sci-fi-like numbers

A "population explosion" of tent caterpillars - which spin slightly creepy-looking shelters on tree limbs - has left some mountain areas looking "almost like a science-fiction movie," scientists say.

The Aspen Fire: 10 years later

Hard to believe that 10 years has passed since the Aspen Fire tore through Summerhaven and the Santa Catalina Mountains. The fire burned 84,750 acres and destroyed 335 structures in and around Summerhaven.

Hiker, mountain lion survive close encounter on Tucson trail

Lose the sunglasses if you find yourself face to face with a mountain lion in the wild.

Hiker, mountain lion survive close encounter on Catalina Mountains trail

Mountain lions, like this one in Sabino Canyon, will generally try to avoid a confrontation.

Problem pumas to be hunted down

A mountain lion stays close to its deer kill in Sabino Canyon. Lions who prey on bighorn sheep will be killed, state wildlife officials say.

Problem pumas to be hunted down

A pair of bighorn sheep pause on a ridge overlooking Oro Valley. A herd of bighorn sheep, which died out in the late 1990s, will be brought back to the Pusch Ridge area in November.

Mountain lions may be hunted down in Catalina Mountains

An already "robust" population of mountain lions in the Catalina Mountains appears to be increasing - and that could pose a threat to a planned reintroduction of bighorn sheep in the range this fall.

Colorful mountain wildflowers in bloom

A paintbrush mountain wildflower could be seen on the Green Mountain Trail in the Santa Catalina Mountains on May 26. The high country should remain colorful into September.

Colorful mountain wildflowers in bloom

Columbine wildflowers adorn the Green Mountain Trail in the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson.

Colorful mountain wildflowers in bloom

Bracken ferns along the Green Mountain Trail in the Santa Catalina Mountains.

Colorful mountain wildflowers in bloom

Here's one big benefit of living in a city with deserts out the front door and 9,000-foot mountains nearby: a wildflower season that goes on for about seven months.

Trail part closed by mountain-lion action

The Forest Service has temporarily closed a portion of a popular trail in the Catalina Mountains for public safety due to a mountain lion's behavior.

Bighorns to get 2nd chance in Catalinas

Bighorn sheep, like these two on a ridge overlooking Oro Valley, will once again take their place in the Catalina Mountains.

Bighorns to get 2nd chance in Catalinas

Bighorn sheep - a species that was practically the symbol of the Catalina Mountains before the herd there died out in the 1990s - will soon roam the range again.

Tucsonan pens guide to mountain trees of Southern Arizona

An Arizona madrone tree along the Bug Spring Trail in the Catalinas, from the book "Mountain Trees of Southern Arizona" by Tucsonan Frank Rose. The tree can live for 200 to 250 years.

Tucsonan pens guide to mountain trees of Southern Arizona

Many of us head for mountain forests as summer heat comes on - and a new book by a Tucson author could enrich your experience in the cool, green woods.

Catalina State Park marks 30th birthday Saturday

Tucsonans John and Kathy Mulligan relax with their dogs, Max, left, and Wiley, in the Cañada del Oro Wash where it passes through Catalina State Park. The couple were having lunch Wednesday before taking a hike.