Saguaro National Park - East

Saguaro National Park has 2 sections located east & west of Tucson. The eastern section can be thoroughly explored in one day.  

Like many such places, sponsors & supporters are recognized: these beautiful 3D art panels are an unusually attractive way to do this. 


The Sonoran desert is the greenest of the deserts in the US, & receives enough rainfall that evergreen trees grown on the mountain tops. 


A Saguaro cactus seedling is quite delicate & needs an adjacent tree to protect it through its early years; as in this picture, the tree will die as the cactus enters middle age.

There are several species of these purple cholla here. I believe that the yellow bits on the first one are new growth which will darken with age. 

           

I found this info board particularly interesting, especially the part about a 40,000 year-old pack rat nest, & this Saguaro skeleton is rather striking. 



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