Some folks had imaginative fun with the many unusual cactus that grow in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert …
Mounds of Claret Cup Cactus (Echinocereus triglochidatus) sprout fire-engine red flowers in the spring, primarily on rock outcrops in the Park's montane forests.
Saguaro flowers open at night and are visited by nectar feeding bats; birds are atttracted to the nectar by day.
Up close the intricate design of the Fairy Duster flower is mesmerizing and beautiful.
Strips of fire burning in ponderosa pine at Saguaro National Park
The middle of this Desert Marigold is just begging for pollination.
The chain-fruit cholla, also known as the jumping cholla, easily detaches in segments and attaches itself to anything that brushes by, hence the name. The barbed spines assure the segment, or segments if unluck More
The National Park Service opened a small office to greet and educate the many visitors fascinated by the giant saguaro.
Over the years, the parkland’s facilities have been improved Picryl description: Public domain photograph of National Park, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.
The bright yellow flowers of the Brittlebush are a very common sight in the park during the spring, often covering whole hillsides.
The Strawberry Hedgehog (Echinocereus fendleri) is the most common small cactus on the desert srcrub areas of the Park. Pink to magenta flowers arrive in the spring.
Seventy five years have seen a lot of changes at Saguaro … for instance, we no longer have this sign with the name mispelled!
Desert biome with creosote and cacti, Saguaro National Park, Tucson Mtn District
The Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) is the only member of the Dog Family that regularly climbs trees -- even saguaros!
Western Coral Snake, 'Micruroides euryxanthus'. An uncommon, and very secretive, venomous snake of the Park's rocky habitats.
Now and then -- about once in 50,000 plants -- a saguaro grows an odd "cristate" crown. No one knows what causes this fascinating deformity.
Fond of rocky canyons, the Black-tailed Rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus) is usually unaggressive -- it seldom even rattles it's tail, so watch your step!
Desert Larkspur (Delphinium parishii) is a delicate flower that is a surprise to see in harsh desert settings.
The Common Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula) is found in both districts of the park. It's best known habit? It sometimes eats rattlesnakes!
Woman working on fireline during prescribed fire
Saguaro silhouettes stand before the glow of a peerless Arizona sunset
This cream, yellow, and red colored member of the mallow family is beautiful sight to behold when hiking in Saguaro National Park.
This small yellow flower is found along brooks, springs, and in other wet places. While it may surprise some that this flower can be found in the desert, it is actually a fairly common resident of Saguaro National Park.
The woody skeleton of the Grand-daddy cactus, once the world's largest saguaro, lie in the Park's back-country.
Not all snakes in the desert slither on the ground. This Sonoran Whipsnake (Masticophis bilineatus) was eyeing the eggs of a nearby nest in this Palo Verde tree.
Small and delicate, the blue flower of the Miniature Wool Star is often found in sandy areas and atop mesas.
Just a typical sunset in Southern Arizona.
Park Service firefighters burn black strip next to fire line.
The fruits of the Staghorn Cholla (Cylindropuntia versicolor) have very few seeds. Like other cholla cactus this plant reproduces when pieces of stem fall off and take root.
In 1994 the U.S. Congress voted to give Saguaro the highest protection given to any conservation area, renaming it SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK. Join us as we celebrate 75 years of protection of this scenic landscape More
Found only in the lower deserts of the Park's Tucson Mountain District, the Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) is known by its peculiar sinuous motion.
This delicate small white flower is often found on rocky slopes, hillsides, and along streams.
Prickly pear cactus flowers bloom a bright yellow, then slowly change into shades of orange and peach.
Pair of Bobcats (Lynx rufus) at Madrona Pools, a perennial water source in the Park's back-country
The Coyote (Canis latrans) is probably the most often-seen large mammal in Saguaro National Park.
In the high Rincon Mountains one can find the Yellow Columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha) which grows along mountain streams and around spring seeps throughout the Southwest.
The White-nosed Coati (Nasua narica) is a tropical animal that has arrived in Saguaro National Park fairly recently. It is found in the Rincon Mountains oak forests.
75th Anniversary Logo Picryl description: Public domain photograph of National Park, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.
Once seen primarily in Saguaro's high mountains, the White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) has recently been seen at lower elevations, perhaps replacing the Mule Deer there.
While the name of this plant refers to curling flowerheads that resemble a scorpion’s tail this plant is neither venomous nor scary.
Desert Tortoise in Den Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Sacred Datura (Datura wrightii) has sometimes been called Moonflower. Its cerremonial uses by Native Americans are well-known. The seedpods are called 'thorn-apples.'
The climbing Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum) will go into trees and cactus to raid the nests of desert birds for eggs and young. In Tucson both black and red versions of this snake are found.
A newborn tortoise out for a stroll Public domain photograph related to US National Parks, Nature, conservation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Careful monitoring of a fire line in the Rincon Mountains leads to better habitat for plants and animals of the pine forest.
Perhaps the most commonly seen snake in the Park, the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) is large, and powerful. It preys mainly on rodents and is mostly nocturnal.
One of the more showy flowers of the Sonoran Desert the Parry's Penstemon can grow in excess of 4 feet.
The Gopher Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus) has the size and pattern of a rattler, but lacks rattles, fangs, and venom! Browner in color, this snake is a beautiful sight in its desert home.
The purple mouth on this tortoise was caused by eating some prickly pear cactus.
Some tropical Agaves are called Century Plants. The native Palmer Agave (Agave palmeri) is a smaller but no less spectacular plant common in mid-elevations in the Park's mountains.
Nothing beats starting a long hike looking at a sunrise like this one.
Desert Tortoise with Radio Telemetry Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Biodiversity youth ambassador Dara receiving certificate.
These three Desert Cottontails were grazing on some new plants just behind the Rincon Mountain District’s visitor center.
This purple flower, which is a member of the waterleaf family, can literally blanket the floor of the desert in good years.
the King Canyon Trail in the Tucson Mountain District is a good place to look for the Desert Mariposa (Calochortus kennedyi) when spring rains stir the underground bulbs to bloom.
One of the best of the desert's "blanket" flowers is the Purple Owl Clover (Castilleja exserta), but it's appearance is sporadic and hard to predict!
This area had also been developed for recreational use by the CCC in the depression. The Monument addition extended the protection of its valuable natural resources.
Drought, development, and natural cycles may play a role in the drop in Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) numbers in the desert areas of Saguaro National Park.
Desert Tortoise Emerging from Den Public domain photograph of a cave, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Homer Shantz, President of the University of Arizona, worked with other local interests to find a way to preserve the spectacular Cactus Forest at the foot of the Rincon Mountains.
wildland firefighters listen to morning briefing at Manning Camp Picryl description: Public domain photograph of National Park, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.
Cholla fruits. Public domain scan of drawing, botanical illustration, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Youth ambassador Public domain photograph of quarry workers, mining, miners, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Opuntia with fungus Public domain photograph of cactus plant, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Desert plants Public domain photograph of cactus plant, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Desert Toad Public domain photograph of an animal, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Saguaro cactus Public domain photograph of cactus plant, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
BioBlitz participants on a species inventory
Rattlesnake Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Valyssa and Dara with their Biodiversity University PhDs.
Saguaro cactus, Saguaro National Park (Rincon Mountain District), Arizona Public domain photograph of cactus plant, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Ecologist Evan Gwilliam examines aquatic insects.
Saguaro National Park Public domain photograph of cactus plant, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Man with sign attached to his shirt: "Filming in Progress"
Youth ambassadors Valyssa and Dara Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
BioBlitz participant Public domain photograph - hat, dress accessory, fashion, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Paloverde, Saguaro National Park (Rincon Mountain District), Arizona
Youth participant learning about sound monitoring.
Saguaro Cactus Public domain photograph of cactus plant, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Youth abassadors Dara and Valyssa with a park ranger. Public domain photograph of educational activity, National Park rangers, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Saguaro forest Public domain photograph of cactus plant, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
2011 BioBlitz in Saguaro National Park
Datura, Saguaro National Park (Rincon Mountain District), Arizona Public domain scan of drawing, botanical illustration, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Fishhook barrel cactus Public domain photograph of a wildflower close up, nature, flowers, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Biological soil crust Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Saguaro National Park Picryl description: Public domain photograph of National Park, nature, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.
Upclose cactus Public domain photograph of cactus plant, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
BioBlitz participant with park ranger Public domain photograph - law enforcement, police, troopers, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Cactus up close Public domain photograph of cactus plant, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Flag at BioBlitz Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
BioBlitz participants Public domain photograph of hiking trail, National Parks tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Park service participant learning about sound monitoring.