Archive for the ‘giant saguaro cactus’ Tag
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
Like this:
Like Loading...
Heavy Rains Down A Giant Saguaro Cactus — Image by kenne
As the trail entered the Kings Canyon Wash we were confronted by a giant saguaro that had fallen across the trail; another lay close by. Both were healthy giants that could have been blown over by strong winds, but the area recently experienced a lot of rain causing a flash flood. Another suspect is that the downed cactus were the result of a microburst an intense small-scale downdraft produced by a storm or rain shower.
— kenne
Like this:
Like Loading...
A Group of Saguaros Under Nurse Trees. — Image by kenne
The previous posting (100 Year-Old Cliff Dweller) showed a photograph of a giant saguaro cactus all alone on a steep cliff. Its location was unusual, but given that most saguaros start life under a bush, i.e., a creosote, or a tree, i.e., palo verde and mesquite, making its existence very impressive. Equally impressive is locating a group of saguaros protected by both mesquite and palo verde trees, which begged the question, “What do you call a group of saguaros?” Tribe? Legion? Family? Thicket? Grove? Clump? Gang? Clan? Bunch? Band? Coterie? Whatever, even researching the question didn’t give us an answer. So, for now, you can choose. Given the Tohono O’odham Nation, or Desert People’s cultural connection to the saguaro, I choose “tribe.”
kenne
Like this:
Like Loading...
100 Year-Old Cliff Dweller — Image by kenne
This giant saguaro cactus is easily over 100 years old. Located on the steep Milagrosa canyon wall, which may have served to protect it over the years.
— kenne
Like this:
Like Loading...
Giant Saguaro Cactus, “Better Than All Measures”
— Photo on Canvas by kenne
Better than all measures
Of delightful sound,
Better than all treasures
That in books are found,
Thy skill to poet were, thou scorner of the ground!
Teach me half the gladness
That thy brain must know,
Such harmonious madness
From my lips would flow
The world should listen then, as I am listening now!
— from To A Skylark by Percy Bysshe Shelley
Like this:
Like Loading...
“Seeing with Closed Eyes” (Originally Posted January 18, 2011) — Computer Painting by kenne
from Turner’s Notes –
“The early death of a writer,
besides shortening by a few unwritten volumes
the shelves of books that weight on our consciences,
confirms our instinct that art,
especially the literary art,
should be sublimely difficult –
a current from beyond that burns out the wire.”
— John Updike
******
“Hello darkness, my old friend!”
— John Updike
Like this:
Like Loading...
White-winged Dove On a Giant Saguaro Cactus — Images by kenne
Like this:
Like Loading...
Sonoran Desert Twin Towers — Image by kenne
Like this:
Like Loading...
Saguaro Blossom, Spotted on the Seven Falls hike today — Image by kenne
Like so many plants this year, this saguaro is blooming very early. Generally, saguaros bloom in late may and June.
kenne
Like this:
Like Loading...
Two-Tone Saguaro — Image by kenne
Giant two-tone green arms
Welcome spring’s new wildflowers,
Color me purple.
— kenne
Like this:
Like Loading...
A Crested Saguaro Next To a Regular Saguaro In Sabino Canyon — Image by kenne
Sometimes the growing tip of a saguaro produces a fan-like form. Such a saguaro is called a crested saguaro. Crested saguaros are rare and generally do not produce arms, making this one for the record books — at least in my book.
kenne
Like this:
Like Loading...
A Late Bloomer — Image by kenne
The normal blooming season for the giant saguaro cactus is in late May and June. Yesterday (December 30th) while hiking in Sabino Canyon I spotted this unusual event. I guess you can call it the new “Christmas cactus!”
The saguaro blooms open at night and last through the next midday. Each flower blooms only once.
kenne
Like this:
Like Loading...
