Our Location:
MM 91-90 SB AZ 95, near Quartzsite, AZ
A bit warmer this morning when I rolled out but it warmed up nicely through the day. The wind seems to have died down this afternoon as it was a pretty good wind this morning before noon.
Some walking with Doug & Yuma, then some walking on my own and after that a little stroll with Riley, Doug & Yuma. I definitely have all my steps in today.
A few minutes with Doug doing a few little things to help him along and after that I was done for the day. I find the early mornings (4:30 am to 5:00 am) make me want to nap in the afternoon and while I don't do that, I would sure like to.
A chat with oldest daughter Courtney, who lives in Toronto, has us informed of only a few inches of snow and none of it from the lake effects snow squalls. The temps are just a few degrees below freezing but manageable. She and her housemates were settling in to watch football, Buffalo and Cleveland playing in Detroit since the Bills home stadium is under 5 ft of snow.
Today's photo are all about saguaros. They are a very stately and majestic sentinel that stands guard over the desert here. Their skin is wax like, protected by spines that range from an inch to several inches long. Their trunk at the ground is battered and hardened much like hard wood in appearance. Various holes appear, some are healed, some are still gaping. The wax like covering looks as if it turns to a paper like substance in some places and in others looks more a peeling wallpaper. They are vivid green, dark green, light green and off in the distance some even have a brown hue to them. The nearer they are to death the more brown they are, dark and stark in appearance. Finally the bones or ribs of the saguaro in death appear to be a very light tan colour, or off in the distance a hint of yellow almost. Each rib becomes evident and the pulp inside the circle of ribs dries out and leaves them hollow. The spines however stay sharp and protect it even in death until it falls over and once again goes back to the earth.
Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed my walk in the saguaros today.
Until next time...
Take care, be safe,
Deb
A couples of those saguaros look like they have been attacked by beavers. If so keep a look out for them guys because if they can chew through them, they can chew through anything. Great photos. Vern (in the somewhat frozen north)
ReplyDeleteThey do look a bit abused but I think they are safe from beaver, no pointy top to indicate gnawing teeth. I think the damage is from water and debris during a rain runoff. Stay warm Vern.
DeleteDeb
Never get tired of the saguaros. You put the good, bad and ugly of their lives in your pictures. It shows the hard existence for all living things here in the desert.
ReplyDeleteI never get tired of them either. They are beautiful in any condition.
DeleteDeb
I'm always amazed that saguaros can still survive when the bottom of their trunk looks like it's dead as can be.
ReplyDeleteThey are tough.
DeleteDeb
Beautiful pictures Deb! Sounds like a nice walk with Doug and then by yourself.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shirley. Every walk is a nice one, I enjoy just getting out there and doing something.
DeleteDeb
Great pictures of Saguaros, I find them fascinating as well.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures as always and it is amazing how Cactus Wrens burrow into the Saguaros eventually causing their demise.
ReplyDeleteLithium Batteries are Lighter but Bulkier than AGM Batteries which are maintenance-free, require no ventilation because they don't emit any explosive gasses and they last far longer than Deep-Cycle batteries. They cost more than Deep-Cycle but far less than Lithium. You also need a different Charge Controller for the Lithium Batteries. I'll be using AGM Batteries again and they are cheaper in Canada then the US.
Be Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.