Crested Saguaro Upon The Saguaros — Image by kenne
Cristate or “crested” saguaros form when the cells in the growing stem begin to divide outward,
rather than in the circular pattern of a normal cactus. This is an unusual mutation that results
in the growth of a large fan-shaped crest at the growing tip of a saguaro’s main stem or arms.
Brittlebush and Saguaro Cactus — Image by kenne
A megadrought continues in the west to make life difficult for desert plants.
Still, a common desert shrub, brittlebush, knows spring is the time to green up and bloom.
A member of the sunflower family, yet another symbol of strength during difficult times — a.k.a. Ukraine.
— kenne
Dead Saguaro In Sabino Canyon (January 15, 2014) — Image by kenne
The skin is the first to go
in the beginning protected
from the sun by a nurse tree.
This symbol of the Sonoran Desert
so slow to grow in the beginning
going unnosed for years
in the shadows of the nurse tree.
We teach children about this icon
by having the guess the age
of a saguago based on its heigh.
— kenne
Nurse Tree for Four Saguaros In Sabino Canyon — HDR Image by kenne
― from In Your Garden Again by
Life and Death in Sabino Canyon — Image by kenne
First/Last Meditation
— Federico Garcia Lorca
I took this image in September 2011 while on my first Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN) nature walk.
I was so appalled that someone cut off the top of this young (probably 35-40 years old) saguaro cactus.
Sadly, over the years, I have frequently seen this type of vandalism.
This Image, taken July 27, 2021, illustrates the resiliency of nature. — Image by kenne
— Richard Feynman
Giant Saguaro Cactus In Sabino Canyon — Image by kenne
Along the mountain ridges,
Across the desert floor;
Arms like verdant armor,
Stalwarts guard our door.
Shading for the lizard,
Haven for the wren,
Source of inspiration,
For past and present men.
–Earl Bloss, “Saguaros,” in Arizona Highways, 1973
Pincushion Cactus Flowers — Image by kenne
When most people think of cactus in the Sonoran Desert, the image that comes to mind is the giant saguaro cactus.
The saguaro grows only in the Sonoran Desert is one of the largest cacti. The saguaro cactus is a symbol of the American Southwest.
Its inner meaning expresses the idea of standing tall, adapting to the environment, and providing shelter and nourishment for others.
Given its stature and authority, it holds a grandfatherly type of wisdom.
Because saguaros are so common in the Tucson area, it is home to one of this nation’s national parks, the Saguaro National Park.
However, it is not the most common cactus in the Sonoran Desert. That honor goes to the little pincushion cactus.
Being so small and often in the shadows of the giant saguaro, their chances of being noticed are slim unless they are blooming.
— kenne
Saguaro Sunrise — Photo-Artistry by kenne
saguaro sunrise
just above the canyon ridge
shadows in the dark
— kenne
Giant Saguaros off of State Highway 77 — Image by kenne
At first glance, you may not notice how thin the giant Saguaros are. Saguaros can survive in drought conditions
for over one hundred years by taking on a lot of water during the two rainy seasons each year in the Sonoran Desert.
They can expand, take on hundreds of gallons of water, then contract as they use the stored water during the
hot-dry time of the year. Unfortunately, the combined total rainfall from last summer’s monsoon and winter rains
was less than half the average amount. As a result, many of the older and diseased saguaros are now dying.
As we enter this year’s monsoon season, we hope for plenty of rain to fatten up the symbol of our desert.
— kenne
Saguaro Cactus Scars – Textured Oil by kenne
Living many years
Saguaro scars are common
Part of survival.
— kenne
Springtime In The Sonoran Desert — Image by kenne
This saguaro has grown under the protection of a mesquite tree serving as a nurse tree.
This spring the cactus is loaded with flower buds, many of which a beginning to bloom.
— kenne
Saguaro Cactus Blossoms — Image by kenne
A crown of beauty
Saguaro Cactus Blossoms
Nectar for the doves.
— kenne
“The Early Bird Gets the Nectar” (White-winged Dove on Saguaro Cactus Buds) — Image by kenne
In April, the budding of saguaros is followed by the return of white-winged doves from Mexico who love the nectar in
the saguaro blossoms. This image captures a white-winged dove atop buds soon to blossom — another take on
“The early bird gets the worm.”
— kenne
Saguaros On My Mind — Images by kenne
— kenne
Becoming is Superior to Being 