in the Sonoran Desert
The Organ Pipe Cactus is one of the giant cacti, second in size only to the more iconic Saguaro. Instead of having a single trunk with branches, the organ pipe has 6 to 20 stems all growing from a central trunk. It will typically grow about 15 feet tall, though specimens have measured more than 20 feet in height.
Its habitat is limited to Sonora and Baja California, Mexico, and southwestern Arizona. In the United States, the largest number are found in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument located near the Mexico/Arizona border.
Saguaro National Park
It’s not too often I get the opportunity to photograph the desert, especially the desert after a heavy rainfall that leaves large puddles of standing water with perfect reflections of prickly pear and saguaro cacti.
We visited one of the more isolated areas of the eastern part of Saguaro National Park. We hiked the Mica View Trail, which offered great views of the Tanque Verde Peak and Mica Mountain, but I was most fascinated by the puddles and spent a fair amount of time sprawled on the damp desert floor taking photographs.
Staring into the burning desert sun. Desert heat
rises, sears my soul, the searching soul, seeking light.
I sink into the sand-earth, the desiccated cactus roots cannot support me.
Be not distraught. Reach out. Stand upright.
The sun drops off the edge of the world, night slips in quietly, settles,
A star shimmers and
another.
I have journeyed long,
watched sunrises and sunsets, and the ascents and descents of many moons.
And now a multitude of stars alight the heavens, milky streams of light, and with faith
I await the return of the sun.
~~~~~~~~~
This is a contribution to the poetry challenge being run by the Abbey of the Arts: Entering the Desert’s Fire. In the invitation to share a poem Christine writes:
I invite you this week to write a poem about your own invitation to enter the refiner’s fire – in alchemy lead is transformed into gold through heat and this becomes a metaphor for the human soul. What is the lead within you ready to be transformed into something treasured?
Saguaro National Park
This saguaro cactus is nearly bulging at its seams. The Sonoran Desert region in this part of Saguaro National Park has had a rainy period and the saguaros were able to soak up the rain water and store it in its ribs. As the weather becomes hotter and drier, the saguaro will use the stored water and the ribs will shrivel and become more ridged.
Tubac Arizona
On my recent trip to the Southwest, I noticed one big difference between Arizona and Wisconsin. Summed up in one word – SUN! The sun seems to shine all the time. Now I know that is an exaggeration. We actually had one day (out of ten) that was cloudy and we did get caught in a rain shower. But for the most part, the sun was shining in that big, bright blue sky.
The sun makes for some great photo opportunities of shadow play. This adobe building not only had strong shadows from the wooden ramada, but also had more subtle shadows from a nearby palo verde tree.
Prickly Pear Cactus
Today is the last day of our Southwestern adventure. It’s also Valentine’s Day, though in our family we have celebrated our son’s birthday on February 14th more than we celebrated Valentine’s Day. Or at least we have until the last few years.
Fitting that my Valentine’s post is a sweet heart of a prickly cactus from the Sonoran Desert just west of Tucson. Love that desert!
Moody Desert in Black and White
Candle Wood, Coach Whip, Flaming Sword, Jacob’s Staff, Slim Wood, Vine Cactus - all are various names for the Ocotillo cactus. Found only in the Sonoran desert in the Southwest United States and adjacent Mexico, it is a practical plant. Its branches, covered with spiky thorns, makes a naturally effective fence. Those thorns are sharp, nothing to be reckoned with.
Saguaro National Park
I am so happy to be back in the desert, able to walk among these giant cacti, the mighty Saguaro. I have visited over a hundred National Parks and Monuments, in 46 states, and I think this is the park that most loudly calls my name. I want to explore it, talk to it, photograph it, sketch it. Lots of folks think the desert, and Saguaro National Park, is harsh and hostile, but I find it attractive, alluring, full of life.
Tucson in background
Visited Saguaro National Park at sunset. The low sunlight gave the cacti a glowing cast and contrasted with the purple mountains of Tucson in the background.
Spring in the Desert
On our April trip to the Southwest, we visited the Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Superior, Arizona, about an hour’s drive east of Phoenix. The arboretum features collections of plants found not only in the Sonoran Desert, but in arid and desert lands around the world.
For anyone who thinks deserts are mostly sand and cactus, I offer this photograph as proof that the desert does indeed come alive in color.