the wandering chick
...Organ Pipe Cactus Natl Monument
a second fun-filled trip

A return trip to the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument was a thrill all over again, seeing the cacti that are unique to this most southern part of the vast Sonoran Desert. The namesake cacti of this park are rarely seen north of the U.S.-Mexico border, but because the organ pipe cactus has adapted to life within the park, visitors to this area are able to take advantage of the beauty they offer.

Organ Pipe Cactus Natl Monument was established in 1937 by President Franklin Roosevelt. Ninety-five percent of the 516 square miles is protected wilderness. The remaining five percent comprises two scenic drives, a visitor center, a campground, and various hiking trails. The highlight will probably be the 21-mile Ajo Mountain Loop Drive. If you enjoy photography, allow more time than the suggested two hours it takes to do the drive.

Those who drive to the park most likely will travel Arizona State Highway 85 south off the I-10. By doing so, the small town of Ajo offers another type of beauty. Take time to meander through the historic district and the town square. The national monument is less than 30 miles further south.

saguaro skeleton
organ pipe cactus
What remains of a Saguaro long after its left this world can be very intriguing and certainly worth a couple of shots.
organ pipe cactus
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.
organ pipe cactus
organ pipe cactus at night
closeup of organ pipe cactus
mutated cactus
closeup of organ pipe cactus
mutated organ pipe cactus
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.
organ pipe cactus
organ cactus at night
desert floor
desert floor
landscape
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. ..
sea of Saguaro
saguaro with personality
...some are happy...
...some are stately...
saguaro with personality
saguaro with personality
...others reach up, singing hallelujah!
saguaro with personality
saguaro with personality
Some reach out...
saguaro with personality
... and some are just downright goofy.
cactus personality
Some are misdirected...
...and others are hopelessly confused.
Some stand tall...
cactus personality
cactus personality
...and some are still growing.
Some are struggling, yet remain optimistic...
cactus personalities
Some are wrapped up in themselves...
cactus personalities
...others are happy to share.
cactus personalities
cactus personalities
Some follow the moon...
Some are deformed, and shouldn't be laughed at.
...while others follow Daddy.
cactus personalities
cactus personalities
...others are struggling, but succumb to defeat.
cactus personalities
closeup of thorn
A single thorn can wreak havoc on the most undeserving of desert visitors.
dead cholla
Like many of the species of the cacti, the cholla takes on an appearance of life well after death.
ocatillo at sunset
A sunrise shot of ocatillo which is mistakenly thought of as being in the cactus family.
moonset
Another moonset shot
bird nest in cholla
Birds build their nests in the thorny cholla cactus to protect the babes from predators.
organ pipe cactus on roadsides
The sheer beauty of the desert can turn a 21-mile drive into an all-day photographic experience. No kidding!!
landscape with mountains
landscape
The ocatillo is nicknamed the flaming arrow because of its brilliant red flowers.
blooming ocatillo
landscape
rising saguaro in silhouette
landscape
fairy duster
Fairy duster seems to bloom early in the desert, adding a soft touch of color in unsuspecting places.
fairy duster
landscape
landscape
sea of saguaro
landscape
ocatillo
arch canyon trail
arch canyon trail
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.
arch canyon trail
arch canyon trail
arch canyon trail
arch canyon trail
sunset
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.
sunset
Sunsets and cacti just make a natural and complimentary pair.
sunset
closeup of cholla
air force range desert floor
air force range desert floor
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.
air force range desert floor
However, I supposed not many people make the stop. This little chipmunk seemed quite surprised to see movement below.
Ajo white church
air force range desert floor
Ajo's white church
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.
Ajo's white church
wall art
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.
federated church
Across the street from Ajo's Catholic church is this smaller Federated church. It has a subtle charm, not outdone by its towering neighbor.

Anyone interested in seeing more pictures of Ajo and the Organ Pipe National Monument can click here.

Or, you might also be interested in the 2017 super bloom shots

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