Saguaros--They're Back!

[lindyannajones]

The Flowers that Bloom in the Spring....:

Last week I was walking at dusk along a lane when a flash of white caught my eye. As I got closer I realized that a saguaro bloom had fallen, wind blown or perhaps knocked loose by a dove, and was caught in the branches of a creosote bush. I gently removed it, unable to believe my good fortune. It was perfect, unharmed by the fall, and I was keenly aware that I was holding the crown jewel of the desert in my hands. Blessed is the best word that comes to mind. So did this song from the Mikado.



All Good Things Must Come to an End: The bloom I found on my walk had closed up the next day and in a week is this what it looked like. I have posted individual photos of this collage on Flickr. The white dot you see on the flower looks like a tiny pearl. You can see drops that look like dew but is the consistency of resin. Also fascinating are the fuzzy tufts on the "pear" part of the bloom. Links to individual photos below.



Tomorrow I will post the last (I promise!)in the Saguaro Sage. For today, I thought I would try something in black and white.




Saguaro fun facts: The desert O'Odham people have harvested the saguaro fruit for centuries. The fact that the saguaro plays such a significant role in tribal ceremony lends credence to the central role the saguaro has played in sustaining the life of the Tohono O'Odham people, in particular. During harvest season, camps are set up around a stand of cactus that shows the most promise of a good yield. They are best picked before they crack open and so they are plucked while still "on the vine" so to speak. Saguaro rib poles with a hook-like device on the end are used to harvest the fruit. Once they are collected, they are cleaned, soaked and later cooked. The seeds are separated from the pulp and can be ground into a flour-like meal. The pulp is turned into a syrup and is used for Jams, candy and ceremonial wine.

Sowing Saguaro seeds: Sometimes, late at night, I can hear coyote yips, yelps and occasional howling wafting on the night air as the pack gathers for their "Meet and Greet" down by the Santa Cruz River. They carry on awhile --a rowdy bunch-- before scattering for the evening search for dinner. True, they will eat most anything but In late June and July they will be rewarded with the fruits of the labor of their ancestors. Literal fruit. This is when the saguaro pears ripens and, if not consumed by birds up top, it will fall to the ground like manna from heaven.

The timing is perfect. This is the driest time of year and with shrinking water supplies, the moisture from the saguaro fruit will help sustain them until the monsoons come in mid-July. Some of the 100 pears produced by the largest saguaros will crack open on its fall to the ground, revealing its sweet red pulp and seeds, 2000 seeds, in fact. This is when the coyote becomes saguaro's NBF (New Best Friend).

But first, let's backup. Why is coyote rewarded by the labor of ancestors? In all likelihood, the fruit they enjoy on a summers evening was sown a century earlier by a coyote cousin. A month from now, that legacy will be passed to the pack of coyotes I hear yelping down by the river. After enjoying a delightful dessert of saguaro pears, the seeds will make a trip through their digestive tract, where they will be sown under the shade of a mesquite or palo verde tree by coyote, one of the chief distributors of saguaro progeny. It's a noble act for a creature with a rap sheet longer than your arm. Wily indeed.


Links to close up of dried saguaro pods:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lindyannajones/3580388533/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lindyan.../in/photostream/

[billmac57]

Absolutely fascinating Lindy, the facts and the photographs, I have read and re-read all of it. The wonders of nature never fail to amaze me. The first two pictures look like ice cream cones, the other look like exotic fungi, the type that chefs extol on tv. These are a wonderful representation of your Saguaro series of pictures, now if you will excuse me, I am off to have another perusal. I am trying to keep my envy in check.

[Fred flyfisher]

What a great lesson Lindy, the photos are superb. The B/W shots remind me of old westerns I used to watch as a boy. Thanks for sharing these. You rock!

[Chewys Dad]

This has been a Great Series Lindyanna; I love the blooms against the Clouds and the dried blooms as well. All are beautiful
Thanks for Sharing these
Chewys Dad.

[lindyannajones]

Originally Posted by billmac57

Absolutely fascinating Lindy, the facts and the photographs, I have read and re-read all of it. The wonders of nature never fail to amaze me. The first two pictures look like ice cream cones, the other look like exotic fungi, the type that chefs extol on tv. These are a wonderful representation of your Saguaro series of pictures, now if you will excuse me, I am off to have another perusal. I am trying to keep my envy in check.

It took three days of percolating to figure out what to say next. Meanwhile, the bloom kept drying into these interesting shapes. The "pearl" and the drops of "dew" were not visible to my eye. It took a close up shot and a computer to see them. I was pretty impressed with Mom Nature when I did. Here's a poetic summary by Mary Oliver:

I

held my breath
as we do
sometimes
to stop time
when something wonderful
has touched us

as with a match,
which is lit, and bright,
but does not hurt
in the common way,

but delightfully,
as if delight
were the most serious thing
you ever felt.

Thanks, Bill.

Originally Posted by Fred flyfisher

What a great lesson Lindy, the photos are superb. The B/W shots remind me of old westerns I used to watch as a boy. Thanks for sharing these. You rock!

Rock? As in fossil or Rock and Roll? I used a Lomo effect to counterbalance the difference in skies and you are absolutely right, it achieves an Old Western feel. People who know me get really tired of hearing me say this line: "Did you know I met John Wayne?" A tangent, I know. Thanks Fred.

Originally Posted by Chewys Dad

This has been a Great Series Lindyanna; I love the blooms against the Clouds and the dried blooms as well. All are beautiful
Thanks for Sharing these
Chewys Dad.

Just between us. The saguaro blooms are from Arizona (of course) and clouds are from Utah. What do you do when you don't like the sky you have? Import. I'm glad you have enjoyed the series. You know, I have, too. I know more about these beauties than ever before. Thanks!

[beachcomber]

I do enjoy your posts Lindy, the care and attention to detail within every beautiful picture, and treasures within your script

Excellent work as always and they truely are the flowers that bloom in the spring, tra la,
they breathe promise of merry sunshine, and we welcome the hope that they bring tra la, your flowers that bloomed in the spring


beach

[lindyannajones]

Originally Posted by beachcomber

I do enjoy your posts Lindy, the care and attention to detail within every beautiful picture, and treasures within your script

Excellent work as always and they truely are the flowers that bloom in the spring, tra la,
they breathe promise of merry sunshine, and we welcome the hope that they bring tra la, your flowers that bloomed in the spring


beach

I figured you would know the song reference. Some songs just come, unbidden. It's been far more hours of work than I could have imagined. Photos really don't do them justice. I wish you could see them in person. By doing this series, I've be able to have an eyes-wide experience with them rather than just drive mindless by. I'm glad you have enjoyed them.

[beachcomber]

Originally Posted by lindyannajones

I figured you would know the song reference. Some songs just come, unbidden. It's been far more hours of work than I could have imagined. Photos really don't do them justice. I wish you could see them in person. By doing this series, I've be able to have an eyes-wide experience with them rather than just drive mindless by. I'm glad you have enjoyed them.

I wish I could have seen them in person too, however, I have enjoyed both the journey, and the company

beach

[Fred flyfisher]

Originally Posted by lindyannajones

Rock? As in fossil or Rock and Roll? I used a Lomo effect to counterbalance the difference in skies and you are absolutely right, it achieves an Old Western feel. People who know me get really tired of hearing me say this line: "Did you know I met John Wayne?" A tangent, I know. Thanks Fred.

No... I would never call someone as vibrant and alive as you a fossil. I had a very close friend that used to say "you rock" all the time to me and other friends he knew. He was a very special person to me. He died suddenly at a young age last year. Once in awhile this euphemism slips out in an effort to bring tribute to a special friend. So, there you have it. You're a special person Lindy- YOU ROCK!

[teedlepeep]

Lindy, as always these are just great shots !! The ones of the bloom shriveled are amazing and I just love the b/w ones. It is so nice to walk through the desert with you. I never get to see stuff like this anymore. I love that you share all this.