Visit to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Flowers along the road

 While it was not too hot or too windy we decided today to take tour around Organ Pipe National Monument Park. 

Park entrance

They road in the park itself was rough gravel and we rattled along in our van 

for about two and a half ours.

Peter studying the trail map

There is lots to see and it was good that we came early. When we were done the visitors center was pretty full and we would not have had time to stop and take photos. 

Saguaro that looks like a cellphone pole

Too many cars driving through the park and not enough turnouts along the narrow gravel road. When cars are passing the dust is flying, covering everything with a thin layer.

Saguaro and Organ Pipe cactus

Peter taking a photo

Once in a while we stopped and that was when I accidentally saw this Cactus wren.

Cactus wren on a Cholla cactus

Saguaro and Organ Pipe cacti

A rare growth form, Crested Saguaro (cristatos) cactus

Near the end of the visit my camera run out of battery power. Ugh!

Penstemon in a wash along the trail

Owl's clover

Among Mexican desert poppies (just a step off the trail)

Young Saguaro

Weird Saguaro

Jumping Cholla cactus in front of Saguaro

Barrel cactus with last years flowers

Unfortunately I lost my spare some time ago and have not got around to buy a new one. That will definitely be on my next shopping list!

Peter took this photo of a flowering Hedge Hog Cactus at the visitors center. They must have forced them, because nowhere else where flowers on the cacti we saw. 

Usually the blooms starts in April.

Hedge hog cactus