The Giant Saguaro is a photograph by Douglas Taylor which was uploaded on February 22nd, 2024.
The Giant Saguaro
The Giant Saguaro is the iconic symbol of the Sonoran Desert. This specimen is a very happy and healthy plant that is well over 100 years old. it... more
Title
The Giant Saguaro
Artist
Douglas Taylor
Medium
Photograph - Fine Art Digital Photography
Description
The Giant Saguaro is the iconic symbol of the Sonoran Desert. This specimen is a very happy and healthy plant that is well over 100 years old. it stands approximately 33 feet (10 meters) tall, and the main trunk is over 3 feet (1 meter) in diameter. Although it is impossible to pinpoint the exact age of the cactus, one good indication of age is the appearance of arms, They only start to grow when the cactus is 60 to 70 years of age, and some are known to have lived over 200 years.
Both the main stem and arms are covered with a medium green skin which looses its green pigment with age and have 12 to 24 ribs which expand and contract like an accordion depending on the amount of water stored in its tissues. One good summer rain can provide a saguaro with enough water to get it through another year, and this one is amply hydrated after a sequence of gentle, soaking winter rains. The saguaro stores so much water that each of these arms can each weigh over a ton.
Saguaros occur mostly below 3,500 feet, though I have seen some thriving at nearly 4,000 feet in elevation, but only in the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona where it is an icon and namesake of Saguaro National Park.
The plant flowers in May and June with waxy white, 3 inch diameter and funnel-shaped blossoms which are also the Arizona State Flower. The fruits that follow have a sweet, red pulp that is enjoyed by many denizens of the desert, including humans. Many small saguaros can be seen nearby, possibly sprouted from this giant's tiny seeds.
Uploaded
February 22nd, 2024
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Comments (7)
Pat Goltz
What a magnificent specimen! At least 150 ir not 200 years old!
Douglas Taylor replied:
And still going strong, too! I hope I can find this great specimen again when it flowers in May...
David Neace
Congratulations, your work is featured on the homepage of "Created by Southern Artists
Douglas Taylor replied:
Thank you, David! I am delighted to be featured here, and honored by your selection.
Tatiana Travelways
I'm delighted to feature your beautiful artwork on the front page gallery of the "Travel Art" group, at Fine Art America! :)
Jane M Dahl
That's almost a perfect, iconic Saguaro. Glad it is doing so well The stories of the old West it could tell us! Featured in American Desert Southwest.
Douglas Taylor replied:
The saguaros have many stories to tell us, if only we learn how to read the clues. Thank you so much for your wonderful support, Jane! ALWAYS appreciated.
Nancy Carol Photography
Awesome ARIZONA ARTISTRY! Thank you for sharing with us your wonderful work of Arizona Art that has been proudly presented on the Home Page Gallery of the group, "ART OF ARIZONA". If you wish, you may archive it permanently or promote it further in the Discussions Tabs titled, "Jan/Feb/Mar 2024 Features."
Douglas Taylor replied:
Thank you, Nancy! I am delighted to be featured in this group celebrating this grand landscape.
VIVA Anderson
A gorgeous, healthy, quite amazingly huge this Giant Saguaro, and quite a feat, Douglas, to capture its' entirety........!! Oh how lovely to see the May/June flowers it you're nearby, for that !!! The stats about their 'water-storage' are incredible:: no wonder they survive so very well. This is a fine proper Portrait !! Kudos, FAV++, VIVA
Douglas Taylor replied:
Thank you so much for your kind compliments, VIVA! I am delighted to know that you follow my descriptions, too.
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