Sahuaro & Cholla Cacti

[Kelley]

I hope you enjoy these photos.  I will try to take more shots this month as the weather is cooling down again.

[nolan]

Thanks for the pics Kashbrook, wouldn't want to be falling into those 
How old are they?

[dennis]

At first glance the bottom photo almost looked like it had a small Meercat (mongoose) jumping up in the air

[nolan]

been watching too many cartoons I see 

[dennis]

You can see I love them - Just take a look at my avatar 

[nolan]

even in your avatar you are busy watching cartoons because you are not looking at the canvas and messing your paint 

[dennis]

Didn't you know that I am good at multitasking?

[Kelley]

The last picture has the (shaped like a meerkat) cholla cactus. I thought it was an unusual shape, too.  There is one cholla called the teddy-bear cholla because the prickly spines are deceptive and appear to be very soft.  An unsuspecting person will easily find themselves with new appendages as the branches detach very easily.  The giant Sahuaro is probably close to 250 years old by my estimation, but there are many more that are over 300 years old.  Burrowing owls, wrens and tiny bats make homes in the cacti.

[nolan]

Wow that's old. You really do live in a beautiful area Kashbrook

[Kelley]

Nolan where do I change my name so that it appears as Kelley instead of Kashbrook?

Disregard. I found it.

[nolan]

 

[Val]

Ouch!    I accidentally brushed against a cactus while hiking down in Los Testigos, VZ. The soft ones were definately the worst. Harder to get rid of as well. Lovely to see, especially when they bloom. Must get more pictures of those....from a distance! 

[Kelley]

  I definitely agree.  I've heard of (and seen once) someone impaled by an agave. Because they are coated with some waxy toxin, it aggravates the puncture that much more.  As for me, I like to eat prickly pears and a certain type of "leaf" or portion of the plant that can be eaten (acquired taste).  I've had to spend hours removing the tiniest of fibrous needles from my hands and arms. Not a good way to spend a day.

[nolan]

that's why I stay away from prickly pears, though they are delicious