Saguaro National Park, Arizona

Here we are at the Saguaro National Park, hoping to see the catus in bloom....If you want to learn more about this area check out this web site http://www.saguaro.national-park.com/info.htm#cac


Homer Shantz (pictured ) led the effort to create the Saguaro National Park, thankfully there is people who see the need to protect special places and plants like the ones growing here.

Small Saguaro Catus are happy to grow between limbs of trees for protection till they are able to support themselves.

It is an awesome sight to see these giants growing everywhere, all different shapes.

Look at all the different types of catus living here in this desert.

Cholla one of the more dangerous ones, do not attempt to touch or even brush up against, nasty, and you will have a very painful outcome.

The desert had a lot of rain and small plants were starting to pop up.

I do not have the correct name for this variety of catus, tall lanky, with thorns of course.

It was just beginning to bloom, a small red flower on the end of each arm will appear.

Another Cholla see the yellow flowers just beginning to bloom.

This desert plant reminded me of the Bumble in the cartoon story with Rudolph the red nose reindeer, I can imagine eyes and arms on him...can you??

This is called a Barrel Catus, for good reason the shape of it...surrounded by Prickly Pear Catus....I actually cooked some on our trip, they came without the prickly thorns and sliced thin, I cooked them in a stir-fry, yummy tasted like green beans.

Close up picture of the picky thorns...

Although we had hopes that the desert would be in bloom, we saw lots of buds, but this was the only flower on the floor that we saw.

Lots of creatures live here, it is not a barren place for sure.

Look at this catus, think of how old it is, 150 to 175 years old, it was 75 years old before it started growing arms. This one is lucky, no bird has decided on making it home, or rats have not decided to eat him either. Droughts, and lightning are other hazards these plants face, and of course people.

Thankfully these wonderful plants are protected for all to see and to enjoy. We missed the bloom we were too early, maybe someday we can catch it just right!