Gilded Flicker Atop a Saguaro Cactus — Image by kenne
This large grayish brown bird is a common woodpecker of the Sonoran Desert.
They nest in holes in giant saguaro cactus.
— kenne
Archive for the ‘Gilded Flicker’ Tag
Gilded Flicker Atop a Saguaro Cactus 2 comments
Capturing The Moment — The Arizona State Flower Graces The Spring Desert 5 comments
Last Friday I had planned on hiking up to Seven Falls, but while driving to the Sabino Canyon Center, I decided to walk the trails near the center to photography the saguaro cactus in bloom.
While some saguaros may not yet have buds many do and are blooming daily. Now that most of the desert’s wildflowers have come and gone, these beautiful cactus blossoms are the current desert flower show.
These creamy-white, 3-inch-wide flowers with yellow centers usually bloom May and June. However, like most of the Sonoran Desert flowers this year, the blooming season has been much earlier.
Clustered near the ends of branches, the blossoms open during cooler desert nights, during which time the blossoms are visited by nectar-loving bats.
Each flower will bloom only once, closing by the next midday.
Before closing by midday the white-winged dove is a primary pollinator, along with the gila woodpecker and the gilded flicker.
Kenne
Related articles
- On The Wings Of The White Winged Dove (kenneturner.wordpress.com)
- Blooming at 70: an interview with a Giant Saguaro (kenneturner.wordpress.com)
Share this:
Capturing The Moment — Kissed By The Sunlight Leave a comment
“Kissed By The Sunlight” A Gilded Flicker On His Favorite Cactus (January 18, 2012) — Image by kenne
