Archive for the ‘Saguaro Cactus’ Tag
iPhone Image by kenne
Since the last post on plants growing in the strangest places, Joy and I went out for a neighborhood walk. Maybe my eye is now trained to spot prickly pear cactus growing on saguaro cactus, but guess what, I saw another one — I couldn’t believe it! Two in two days!
Maybe it’s not that unusual, but two in two days — maybe I need to consult with some experts. I did a Google search and the only thing near this kind of sighting is my previous posting. The strange just gets stranger!
kenne
When a saguaro cactus dies and falls, much of it is into the environment. The old woodpecker nest holes remain because of the heavily lignized calous that was produced by the plant in response to the tissue damage. (The white crown in these images by kenne.)
“We are travelers on a cosmic journey,
stardust,swirling and dancing
in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity.
Life is eternal.
We have stopped for a moment
to encounter each other,
to meet,
to love,
to share.
This is a precious moment.
It is a little parenthesis in eternity.”
― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
Being able to adapt is fundamental to all organisms to survive in their ecological niche or habitat. This ability is often more evident in harsh environments such as the desert. Plants need water and sunlight, some more or less than others.
Here in the Sonoran desert, plants that can adopt to a lot of sun and little water adopt well to the hot, dry conditions. While plants needing more water have adapted to conditions near water, i.e., riparian areas where annual foliage plants color the desert at this winter solstice time of year.
Plant Adaptation In The Desert — Image by kenne
Another example of plant adaptation can be found on rocky canyon wall facing the north in Sabino Canyon, just a few hundred feet from where the above photo was taken — there is no direct sunlight this time of year. Even in dry conditions, the wall can provide a perfect hitch for fern, moss and “resurrection” plants.
However, what really caught my attention was a small saguaro cactus that was growing out of the north canyon wall, which had fallen over and has continued to grow. Given the size of the plant and the fact that saguaros are very slow-growing plants, taking 6-7 years to grow an inch in the beginning of what can be a 200 year life, this still small cactus is probably about 20 years old — talk about plant adaption.
This guy is a real survivor!
kenne
P.S. Today we are getting much-needed rain in the desert with snow above 4,000 feet. The ferns, moss and resurrection plants will really green-up over the next days.
Saguaro Cactus — Image by kenne
Sabino Canyon In B/W (Hutch’s Pool Trail) — Image by kenne
Desert
Karen Benke
In your eyes I saw only trails,
Though you said you did want to lead me –
You said this reaching back for my hand.
We walked into a fevered desert
Out where clouds rise and disappear,
Out where I could not see
Your caring for me was a choice
I could not make.
Still we continued
Beyond contradiction
My doubt, my desire
Sifting into sand.
White-Winged Dove Perched On Saguaro Cactus Fruit — Image by kenne
“Morning In The Sonoran Desert II” — Image by kenne
Two gentle old giants
born in the caring shadows
of a nursing tree.
Protected for years
only to outlive their nurse
two towers as one.
Reaching to the sky
sharing the good times and bad
In their silent talk.
Each bonding for life
in their spring bonnets of white
sharing life’s cycles.
As the years go by
well over a century
many suns and stars.
Aging gracefully
one bearing more than her peer
showing signs of time.
One still standing tall
holding out a caring arm
together as one.
She ain’t to heavy
Doesn’t weigh me down at all
She is my sister
Have you hugged your saguaro today?
kenne
Images by kenne
Saguaro Blossoms — Images by kenne
I’m told that Arizona’s state flower, the saguaro blossom, has a strong overripe melons smell, but I’m not going to get close enough to check it out — will leave that to the experts. Like a lot of cactus flowers, they are short-lived, blooming at night and often closed within 24 hours. During the night the flowers are pollinated by the lesser long-nosed bat and the Mexican long-tongued bat. During the daytime the flowers are pollinated by bees and birds such as the white-winged dove.
kenne
Bear Canyon (View South Toward Tucson) — Image by kenne
A medium size woodpecker, the Gila Woodpecker often makes his/her home in saguaro cactus — Image by kenne
Hedgehog Cactus Blossoms — Image by kenne
One of the first cactus blossoms in the spring are those of the Hedgehog cactus. They have been blooming around the Tucson area for about a week, adding spring beauty as some of the wildflowers pass on.
Yesterday I got a report that some saguaro cacti have begun to bloom, which is early for such blossoms. But, these giant cacti do have a way of blooming when they want to — it’s time to start watching for the return of the white-wing doves.
kenne
Cacti
Here’s some fact-i,
About some cacti,
They’re plants you shouldn’t touch,
Because their spiny leaves are sharp,
It might hurt too,too much!
Yes those pointy spines they have,
Are cacti’s shield and cape,
Helping water stay inside,
Through spines it can’t escape!
They love the desert,
Sun baked lands,
For water’s what they store,
Inside their bodies,
Or their roots,
Like clothing’s in a drawer…
Cacti,
Cacti,
Succulents,
Are really pretty cool,
Just don’t give a kiss to one,
Or miss some time at school…
— Mr. R’s Plant Poems
- Hedgehogs are Blooming (Sabinocayonnaturalist.blogspot.com)
A Saguaro Cactus “Tied In Knots” — Image by kenne
“Unsheltered Lies The Desert In Solitary Hours” — Image by kenne
I speak of Desert without repose
Carved by relentless winds
Torn up from its bowels
Blinded by sands
Unsheltered solitary
Yellow as death
Wrinkled like parchment
Face turned to the sun.
– – from “Landscapes” by Andrée Chedid
“Desert Silhouette II” — Image by kenne
Image by kenne
Once an icon of the desert,
A majestic symbol
Of nature’s ability
To gather strength
From less
In a world
Where slow
Is the best way
To get things done.
Taking time to nurture
Its being,
Gathering strength
From its becoming.
Two centuries
In the making,
Still standing
In the grandeur
Of the sun’s halo,
Conveying meaning
In the eyes of the force.
kenne
