Saguaro detail. Virtually every mature saguaro bears 'scars' of some environmental insults or attacks. They're kind of the cactus equivalent of wrinkles, I guess. . Ponce de Leon Drive, Catalina foothills, Tucson, Arizona December 20, 2012 (morning)

The saguaro cactus, or giant saguaro, Carnegiea gigantea, is one of the iconic species of the Sonoran desert. They once grew in great forests throughout the region of southern Arizona and northern Mexico. Now they are found mainly in small pockets of preserved park lands and national forests, and as individual plants in people's yards, or in botanical gardens. In this gallery I'll try to illustrate as well as describe some of the unique features of this amazing plant.

gallery pages: 1 2 >

< 5 of 11 >

The view northward (toward Mount Lemmon) from the end of Mica View Road.
.
Saguaro National Park East (Rincon District)
Tucson, Arizona
December 20, 2012 (late morning; 11:36 am MST; the EXIF time for date taken is EST not MST)

Impression of the Sonoran desert - conventional treatment of a wider view.
.
Saguaro National Park, East.
Tucson, Arizona
December 20, 2012 (mid- to late morning)

The white cottony fuzz that surrounds needles on new growth on the saguaros is easily seen even from farily great distances.
.
Saguaro National Park, East.
Tucson, Arizona
December 20, 2012 (mid- to late morning)

The largest of the saguaros actually on the rental property, just off the brick patio on the west side of the house. We read that typically saguaros don't send out side branches until they're at least 60-70 years old. Considering the size of the 'arms' on this individual, I'd guess it's at least 100 years old, which is just middle-aged for this species.
.
Ponce de Leon Drive, Catalina foothills, Tucson, Arizona
December 20, 2012 (morning)

Saguaro detail.
Virtually every mature saguaro bears 'scars' of some environmental insults or attacks. They're kind of the cactus equivalent of wrinkles, I guess.
.
Ponce de Leon Drive, Catalina foothills, Tucson, Arizona
December 20, 2012 (morning)

Saguaro detail.
In this shot, it was the shadow of one rib, cast by the early morning light onto the neighboring rib, that appealed especially to me.
Close inspection of the shot revealed to me (seen best on the left-most rib) that many of the spines appear double. I believe, in fact, that most if not all of those 'double' spines are the result of the original spine splitting.
.
Ponce de Leon Drive, Catalina foothills, Tucson, Arizona
December 20, 2012 (morning)

Saguaro detail.
I liked the way the shadow of a branch of palo verde revealed the contours of the cactus stem.
.
Ponce de Leon Drive, Catalina foothills, Tucson, Arizona
December 20, 2012 (morning)

Welcome to Tucson this saguaro seemed to be saying.
.
Ponce de Leon Drive, Catalina foothills, Tucson, Arizona
December 20, 2012 (morning)

A saguaro fancifully seeming to stretch in the morning sun.
.
Ponce de Leon Drive, Catalina foothills, Tucson, Arizona
December 20, 2012 (morning)

Saguaro detail.
Virtually every mature saguaro bears 'scars' of some environmental insults or attacks. They're kind of the cactus equivalent of wrinkles, I guess.
.
Ponce de Leon Drive, Catalina foothills, Tucson, Arizona
December 20, 2012 (morning)