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Travel Photos: Arizona’s Saguaros – Sentinels of the Desert
I’m in Arizona right now – loving the sight of the saguaros – sentinels of the desert in my mind. Saguaro National Park lies outside Tucson but I’m finding hills of saguaros in the vicinity of the town of Carefree, near Scottsdale.
A few interesting facts about saguaros.
- It takes a seed about 100 years to grow to the towering giants you see scattered over the hills.
- Young saguaros need a nurse plant – like mesquite – to protect them from freezing and from being trampled.
- Young saguaros have a very slow growth rate; it may take five years to grow one inch.
- Saguaros start producing arms at age 75 and at the age of 200 they may reach a height of 50 feet.
- Saguaros are the indicator plant for the upper Sonoran Desert.
- Of the millions of seeds produced in a lifetime, probably only one will survive.
- They are Arizona’s state flower.
More arms on one saguaro than I've ever seen
A hill of saguaros backlit at sunset
Saguaros standing guard at the entrance to the cliff dwelling at Tonto National Monument
Lone saguaro on sentinel duty at sunset
Even in death these thorns look nasty
Saguaros pock marked with holes - often drilled by the Gila woodpecker
The insides of a dead saguaro have interesting texture
Do you have a favourite plant you’ve fallen in love with on your travels??
Here is this week’s submission to Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox a website where Nanci offers a chance every Thursday for fellow travelers to post their favourite photos.
Leigh McAdam
HikeBikeTravel
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20 Responses to Travel Photos: Arizona’s Saguaros – Sentinels of the Desert
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About
I’ve been all over the world – to all continents but Antarctica and to a grand total of 53 countries. I’ve always got some sort of an adventure planned – even if it’s only a weekend. I thrive on change and travel provides that.
Feel free to email me at
leighmcadamtravels@gmail.com
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Great pictures and info
Muza-chan recently posted..A Japanese Song per Day: Globe – Perfume of love
These are gorgeous shots! Thanks also for the info on them. I never knew how old they were. 75 year just for an arm? Nuts!
Sabrina recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday: New Mexico Thunderstorm
That first one is just plain odd. And borderline dirty!!
Although I’m not a fan of deserts, your first picture of the Saguaros is really very interesting. It is amazing that it takes so long for them to grow.
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..TPT: Views from Gruyeres
interesting read, Leigh and nice photos.
For me, it’s orchids. They are so common in SEA.
Nancie recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday — February 9th, 2012 — Granada’s Alhambra From A Distance
These pictures really are making me long for those days working at the Monument. I loved spending those fall days at the Lower Dwelling. Thanks for the memories!
Steve Miller recently posted..The Park Family Cemetery
I love those cactus but had no idea they were called saguaros. Gorgeous photos!
Laurel recently posted..Cute Monkey Pictures
Had no idea they were called saguaros. Five years to grow an inch? Wow, impressive! Thanks for this information, Leigh!
InsideJourneys recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday: Sunrise, Sunset
@InsideJourneys Makes me look at a hill of these things in a fresh light. One of these weird but awesome facts.
@Laurel Got to learn something new everyday. That’s your little bit of trivia. Glad you liked the photos.
@Steve And thanks for all your feedback. I love spending time in Arizona and can’t get enough of the scenery.
@Nancie I love orchids too – but always think of them as a long lasting, but hard to get them to bloom again, indoor plant; on occasion I’ve been lucky to see one growing wild in Canada.
@Debbie The desert landscape has frown on me over the years. I don’t like the heat so I like to visit in the winter months. The early morning and late afternoon seem to be particularly magical in the desert. Cool and not too useful facts about the saguaros – just for fun.
@Raymond I have saguaro cactus shots that are x-rated!
@Sabrina Thanks for your nice comment. Hard to believe it takes that long isn’t it. I have a new respect for these plants when I see them.
@Muza-chan Thanks.
Beautiful photos of a plant we take for granted while driving through Arizona. I have always wondered about Saguaro NP and it looks pretty interesting. Love the first picture. I never would have guessed what that last picture was.
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Those shots look great! I love the Saguaro with so many arms.
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@Valentino Thank you.
@Mary I have only been to the West Saguaro National Park but I think there’s lots to do in the eastern section.