Sonoran Preserve

Sonoran Desert Preserve
Phoenix

10.22.16

The iconic saguaro.

Did you know that it grows only in the Sonoran Desert?

...and that it grows to just over an inch tall in its first 8 years?

So, how old do you think this one is?

Here's some more info on the saguaro cactus, just because it's really interesting!

https://www.nps.gov/sagu/planyourvisit/upload/The%20Saguaro%20Cactus.pdf

Another crazy hot day, temp in the high 90's...
Parents taking the children on a midday stroll through the desert...
We're working on developing their patience, tolerance, and fortitude.  ;)
We could work on getting them up early and doing these things in the cooler morning...
Nah!  Finding out that certain parts of your body sweat like crazy in the heat is so much more fun! :)

Yep... that's what happens, Tim.  :p

 Do you know how to tell a barrel cactus from a saguaro?

These photos are a little clue.  ;)

 The kids love when I stop to read all these fascinating signs.  ;)

We'd never seen Cholla before.  Isn't it cool?
 Can you read the "myth" in the sign above about this cactus jumping on you?

Jadan found out it's true!  Not a myth!  ;)

These cholla skeletons were all over the preserve, and the kids said

they've seen them in pet store aquariums with lizards and tarantulas.

Even though the day was almost unbearably hot, we really enjoyed learning about the desert

for as long as we could make the kids stay out in it.  What a fascinating biome!

(We came home and watched the Kratt Brothers episode about the Sonoran Desert.

I know we're all too old for that... so don't tell anyone!  It was fun!)