Archive for the ‘Saguaro Cactus’ Tag
Cactus Wren On A Saguaro Blossom In November — Image by kenne
Today’s Friday hike was in Pima Canyon. The canyon is a narrow canyon in the western Catalina Mountains. With sunrise coming later in early November and much cooler desert temperatures (39 degrees), the beginning part of the trail was in the warmth of the sun till the canyon walls cast a big shadow on the canyon. As we hiked into the canyon I notict a cactus wren on a saguaro blossom. This is not the time of the year for saguaros to be blooming, but don’t tell this one that. The combination of the cactus wren and the saguaro blossom really got my attention, so even though the sun light angle was not ideal, and the cactus was a good distance away, I had to get a picture or two.
kenne
First posted November, 2011
Image by kenne
cold is the sky
among close friends
inspire with awe
yet cast in doubt
at the new do
looks like a crown
tower of strength
high in the sky
a crest of thorns
part of a hat
— kenne
Sabino Canyon B&W Landscape by kenne
“Philosophically considered, the universe is composed of Nature and Soul. Strictly speaking, therefore, all that is separate from us, all which philosophy distinguishes as not me, that is both Nature and Art, all other men and my own body, must be ranked under this name, Nature. Nature, in the common sense, refers to essences unchanged by man: space, the air, the river, the leaf. Art is applied to the mixture of his will with the same things, as in a house, a canal, a statue, a picture. But his operations, taken together, are so insignificant, a little chipping, baking, patching, and washing, that in an impression so grand as that of the world on the human mind they do not vary the result.”
— from Nature, by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Fallen Saguaro Cactus — Image by kenne
Nature has away of persevering.
Just look around and you will see
examples everywhere.
— kenne
“Perseverance, secret to all triumphs.”
— Victor Hugo
A blooming saguaro cactus in Sabino Canyon (September 4, 2015) — Image by kenne
Saguaro cacti usually bloom in May and June, not September —
“September Bride”
Saguaros are a very slow-growing cactus. A plant two feet in height may be 16 years old on its way to 25 feet and over 175 years old.
In the early years of life they are more susceptible to heat, drought and freezing temperatures. By the time they are five feet or more they have endured many harsh conditions, and in some cases, mistreatment by humans.
This is a photographic essay of saguaros along a popular trail in the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. For some strange reason, some people like to cut the tops off, or in general slice these beautiful icons of the Sonoran Desert. As you can see, most are survivors, continuing their slow growth.
It is not easy to stop aggression toward nature, but through education human aggression can be better channeled. The more people can experience nature, the more likely they will develop positive feeling toward the natural environment. Most people, when asked who they are, will answer by talking about the landscape from which they come, which reflects positive feeling of familiarity and security in that environment.
When I talk
about Sabino Canyon
I mean myself,
my home,
my state of mind.
Some don’t get what I say,
maybe it’s because
we don’t talk the same language.
All I can say to those I meet:
“Try and make it to Sabino Canyon.”
kenne
Damaged Saguaro Cactus in Sabino Canyon — Images by kenne
(Click on any of the images for larger view in a slide-show format.)
Nature should be respected if it is part of the home of humans.
Joshua Tree Painting — Images by kenne
There’s a section of Highway 93
between Wikieup to Wickenburg —
Joshua Forest Scenic Road.
California has its National Park,
Arizona has its Scenic Road.
This narrow,
hilly two-lane road
is part of our route
to Las Vegas
and Zion National Park
from Tucson.
It’s not easy to stop to take
snapshots of these majestic yuccas —
no shoulders and only an occasional
ranch road that sneaks-up on you
while being pushed by speeding drivers
trying to pass you.
On a recent drive
we were able to pull-off
to the fence-line
where others had done the same
leaving behind trashed beer cans —
what a paradox.
The splendor of the Joshua tree
is as unique and identifiable to the
Mohave Desert
as the majestic saguaro cactus
is to the
Sonoran Desert.
— kenne
White winged doves plays an important role in the life-cycle of saguaro cactus, loving the nectar of the the saguaro flower.
Here, this white winged dove appears to be patiently waiting for the buds to open. — Image by kenne
“Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song
Sounds like she’s singin’
Whoo-whoo-whoo
Just like the white winged dove
Sings a song
Sounds like she’s singin’
Whoo, baby, whoo
Said, whoo”
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
Saguaro Cactus Siamese Twins Growing From The Same Trunk (01/21/15) — Image by kenne
Cactus Wren Atop A Crested Saguaro Cactus — Image by kenne
Photography is a system of visual editing.
At bottom, it is a matter of surrounding
with a frame a portion of one’s cone of vision,
while standing in the right place at the right time.
Like chess, or writing, it is a matter of choosing from
among given possibilities, but in the case of photography
the number possibilities is not finite, but infinite.
— John Szarkowki
“The Ultimate Sacrifice” — Image by kenne
It is common when leading nature walks in Sabino Canyon to talk about the signature cactus of the Sonoran desert, the saguaro. One of the common bits of information is to point out how the young saguaros are near trees that help provide protection to this very slow-growing Sonoran desert plant. These trees can be mesquite, palo verde or ironwood trees, and are referred to as “nurse trees.” The faster-growing nurse tree provides shade and shelter from the harsh desert elements, and as the saguaro grows, becoming more acclimated to the desert sun, the nurse tree may die, leaving the saguaro alone. As the saguaro grows larger it may compete for resources with its nurse tree, especially where several saguaros are receiving protection from the same tree, which may hasten its death. Even so, the faster-growing tree will not outlive the typical life of a saguaro cactus.
kenne
“Sacrifice is a part of life. It’s supposed to be. It’s not something to regret. It’s something to aspire to.”
― Mitch Albom
“Morning Call” (Cactus Wren Atop A Saguaro Cactus In Sabino Canyon) — Image by kenne
We hear your birdcall
Where attention is your game
At the light of day.
— kenne
“Statue of Death” — Image by kenne
All time is created equal,
but we don’t use it equally.
Some are livin’ on Tulsa time,
while others in a New York minute.
My time is your time,
but it is not mine to give.
You can’t give away
something that isn’t yours.
…unless you share the moment.
— kenne
“some moments are nice,
some are nicer,
some are even worth
writing about.”
― Charles Bukowski, War All the Time
“What did the saguaro cactus say to the boulder? — Image by kenne
“Did-did you feeeel the ground shake!!??”
Cactus Wren On A Saguaro Blossom In November — Image by kenne
