Desert Botanical Garden - Phoenix, Arizona (Steve and Pete Make an Afternoon Visit - February 9, 2008)
The Desert Botanic Garden in Phoenix!
I captured this crested saguaro before I even entered the park; This particular saguaro can be seen along the roadside leading to the parking lot.
This is known as an Octopus Cactus. The official name is Stenocereus Alamosensis and it can be found in desert areas in western Mexico.
Now I should mention that I live in Colorado and was traveling through the state of Arizona.
I was slowly bicycling through the Phoenix metropolitan area and had a free afternoon to wander about the botanic garden. I really enjoyed the warm weather and took so many photos! :)
Nice!
Special thanks to Pete in Tempe, AZ, a member of the botanic garden who got me in for free as his guest.
Oh and that interesting "cactus tree" is known as a Toothpick Cactus, Stetsonia Coryne. It grows commonly areas in South America.
Ahhhhh ... the organ pipe cactus. This is, by far, my favorite cactus among them all. I even made a web site dedicated to them:
www.OrganPipeCactus.info.
I think this is my favorite picture. Arizona is such a beautiful state!
An inspiring quotation about the desert.
Probably in the barrel family.
Check this out! There is a prickly pear growing on the side of this large saguaro. See it? :)
Looking at fruit hanging from a type of cholla.
Sunlight reflects nicely on this purple tinted prickly pear.
It was a fantastic day to be in the Arizona desert!
These pictures were submitted by Steve Garufi, who visited Phoenix, Arizona in
February 2008 as part of his bicycle ride across America. His web site detailing his trip can be seen on
www.BikeAcrossAmerica.org.