Some Interesting Cactus Pictures

I thought this was interesting as cacti don't really need supplemental watering. These healthy looking specimens are flowering nicely at Tovrea Castle.  I doubt the spigot is ever turned on for them, it just looks as though it might be the cause of their robustness.

This is way (WAY) north Phoenix in Deem Hills looking south.

This barrel was flowering nicely just this morning.

Barrels can look weird when stressed.  I don't think they have the same support structure as saguaros, but they can get to be 7 feet tall.

This little fishhook pincushion was blooming probably only a day or two after a summer monsoon rain.  Note the resurrection fern all greened up below it.

This dead saguaro frames a cholla and another young saguaro.

This large saguaro from Deem Hills is up the slope a bit and away from all the new developments - except the new trail that goes right past it.

But new or old, it seems that devlopment and saguaros are not good mixes.

The holes are very likely from gun shots long before the area below was even  graded for development.  This is also along the new trail, but we found out that the new trail followed an old foot path up the hill, so it is not so surprising to find this kind of damage. Not pleasant, either.

More Cactus Flowers

Can't hardly go to the gardens without a few cactus & flower pictures. Today was no exception. Enjoy...

Unusual Flower

Stopped in at the Desert Botanical Gardens today for a quick look at their new cactus & succulent displays. This was one of the plants in the succulent portion. This one probably isn't more than 8" tall. Not terribly unusual in and of itself, though it is interesting.

It was the flower that caught my eye. A strange looking one that looks as though it would be more at home underwater. Then there were the strange green bumps - individual flowers? seed pods? Who knows, but definitely interesting!

This aloe was also interesting, not so much for its leaves, which are different from your typical aloe - say aloe vera perhaps, but for its flowers.
These are the flowers. I noticed there were ants all over the stalks on this. I'm not sure if they show when you click on the photo, but there are several ants here.

Simply Amazing!

Alright now, this is a super shot. It is a small Fishook Pincushion (Mamillaria) in full bloom. I don't think I've ever seen them bloom this full before. At least I hope I didn't miss it if they have!

I spoke with a photographer from the early days of Arizona Highways Magazine and he said they would pick flowers and use toothpicks to hold them to the cactus to get a full bloom like these here (usually on the saguaros). Those were the old days - they really don't go for that now. In my opinion, these shots are Arizona Highways worthy, and that is saying a lot!