Organ Pipe Cactus Natl Monument

What remains of a Saguaro long after its left this world can be very intriguing and certainly worth a couple of shots.

The Organ Pipe Cactus, for which the park is named, is quite different from the Saguaro mainly in that it has many stalks growing from one ground root.

Scattered across the park are organ pipes, and some saguaros, whose growth has been deformed, causing odd-shaped arms or limbs. Such are called Cristates. Just as in humans, an oddity can be formed for various reasons. This Cristate can be found on the Ajo Mountain Loop Drive.

The largest Organ Pipe Cactus in the park is this one, seen from the Ajo Mountain Loop Drive. My travel partner and I took lots of photos - from all angles - of this wondrous leggy monster of a cactus.

The Organ Pipe cactus may be the name of the game in this part of the Sonoran Desert, but they are far out-numbered by the endless sea of Saguaro also found here. Saguaros, in my opinion, are much more fun...no two are alike, and each's shape tends to dictate its personality. ..

...some are happy...

...some are stately...

...others reach up, singing hallelujah!

Some reach out...

... and some are just downright goofy.

Some are misdirected...

...and others are hopelessly confused.

Some stand tall...

...and some are still growing.

Some are struggling, yet remain optimistic...

Some are wrapped up in themselves...

...others are happy to share.

Some follow the moon...

Some are deformed, and shouldn't be laughed at.

...while others follow Daddy.

...others are struggling, but succumb to defeat.

A single thorn can wreak havoc on the most undeserving of desert visitors.

Like many of the species of the cacti, the cholla takes on an appearance of life well after death.

A sunrise shot of ocatillo which is mistakenly thought of as being in the cactus family.

Another moonset shot

Birds build their nests in the thorny cholla cactus to protect the babes from predators.

The sheer beauty of the desert can turn a 21-mile drive into an all-day photographic experience. No kidding!!

The ocatillo is nicknamed the flaming arrow because of its brilliant red flowers.

Fairy duster seems to bloom early in the desert, adding a soft touch of color in unsuspecting places.

The Arch Canyon Trail is an easy to moderate 1.2-mile hike on a rocky gradual incline into Arch Canyon. A larger and a smaller arch are in sight for most of the duration of the hike. The end of the hike is marked with a warning sign of a steep climb over slip rock. Whether the back of the arches can be seen by continuing on, as many hikers do, I do not know.

This is a view of the climb past the end of the Arch Canyon Trail. This trail continues another point six miles, and cairns mark the way.

Sunsets and cacti just make a natural and complimentary pair.

Spring is on its way, and the teddy bear cholla, sometimes called jumping cholla, are just about ready to pop!

Between Ajo and the Organ Pipe Cactus Natl Monument on State Highway 85 is a strip of land used by the U.S. Air Force as a gunnery range. One doesn't need to trek too far off the road to grab a few nice shots of the rock formations that rise up off the desert floor.

However, I supposed not many people make the stop. This little chipmunk seemed quite surprised to see movement below.

Anyone who enjoys photography cannot go to Ajo and not taken shot after shot of the town's pristine white Catholic church. From all angles, it's a fun subject against a remarkably blue sky.

Off the beaten path in Ajo, behind the south wall of the town plaza, is Art Alley, where local artists painted whimsical murals such as this one on the buildings' walls.

Across the street from Ajo's Catholic church is this smaller Federated church. It has a subtle charm, not outdone by its towering neighbor.