Saguaro National Park   May 29, 2010
Saguaro National Park is
divided into two parts on
the east and west side of
Tucson, AZ.  These photos
are from the eastern
section of the park.
Martha checks out
a Saguaro cactus
at the park visitor
center.  These
things grow large!
We drove around the loop road
through the cactus forest.  It is a
little different than the eastern
forests we are used to.
Martha uses the truck as a step
stool to get some good shots.
. . . but Terry has to go
prowling around in the
bush, cussing every time
he bumps into a cactus
and gets pricked.
Our timing was perfect
for the blooming season
for all kinds of plants.
This a Chain-Fruit Choila in full
bloom.  The Prickly Pear Cactus
has a yellow bloom, but these
had not started blooming yet.
The Staghorn Cholla has
a lovely red bloom.
The Saguaro cactus has
a bloom that is similar to
that of a daisy.  It is also
the Arizona state flower.
Later this will form a
fruit that is popular with
jelly makers.
The cacti come in all shapes and
sizes including the cross-shaped
Staghorn  Cholla.
Desert woodpeckers
carve out holes in the
Saguaro cactus to
build their nests.  
Other birds will
homestead these for
their nests too when
the woodpeckers
have moved on.
It was very interesting
to see these cactus
forests.  In some
places these were only
a few yards from
private development
outside the park.