Sent to me inside a book, so no postmark. Dated approximately June 2006.
Arizona
Sun sets on thick strands of saguaro and cholla in the Sonoran desert.
This is a landscape that is largely completely alien to me. I've seen pictures of course, but I have no idea what it can be like to live near this. A cactus to me is something that lives in a pot, shrivels up and dies - quite soon if I'm looking after it. Now that I've looked up the links I have learnt a lot.
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Hi, well I can tell you that it gets very hot in southern Arizona in the summer time. The saguaro catus are magnificent, and are very old. They are also home to all kinds of critters, especially sime kind of little bird that bores a hole in them and makes their nest. I can't remember the name.
ReplyDeleteYou might be amazed at what a relatively tiny area of the world these giant cacti grow. They are the state plant of Arizona and are thus, thankfully, protected. Illegal harvesting carries a prison term. Even with highway construction and with the blasting of rocks to make way for highways, the cacti must be protected individually with guy wires and supports. All this adds a great deal to construction costs, but is well worth it: as you slowly come down in elevation into the Valley of the Sun (Phoenix) you are suddenly and startlingly confronted with whole hillsides - many square miles, as far as you can see - with these rare and majestic Saguaro cactus plants. You would never forget the sight. They are not representative of the entire American West as portrayed in movies, but exist only in southern Arizona, extreme southeastern California, and the adjoining northwestern Mexico, in the Sonoran desert. And nowhere else on earth, I'm told.
ReplyDeleteElaine here: I lived in Phoenix back in the 80's after moving there from the midwest. It IS alien, but somehow beautiful. I love the desert.
ReplyDeleteI've never been going to such places before, but I really am amazed by the beauty of nature around us
ReplyDeleteThe desert landscape in soft pink and brown hues is lovely :)
ReplyDeleteSo postcard collecting can be educational too :) Thank you Valdese Blogger and Max for all the extra information. I had no idea of any of that.
ReplyDeleteI had to stop and put my 2 cents in. I am a native phoenician. I lived there for 36 years. Max gave you some great information on the majestic Saguaro. The birds that live in them are cactus wrens. It takes 100 years for a saguaro to grow one arm. That gives some indication of their age. Spring in the desert is one of the most beautiful things ever.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you did stop by Ettarose, and thank you for leaving me some more information. It's always great to hear from people who actually know the place.
ReplyDeleteI live in Phoenix, Arizona and have seen settings like this many times. The sunrises and sunsets are truly amazing with these majestic Saguaro cacti towering over the other plants.
ReplyDeleteI had never been to Arizona (and I live in California) and yet I have been to Hawaii, Florida and Texas! Go figure!
ReplyDeleteFinally went there this past April! What a BEAUTIFUL state! Arizona is a state like no other in scenery and weather!
Driving down the highway from Phoenix back to California, wow! So beautiful with the saguaro along the highway in the gorgeous desert!
My dream is too drive all across the United States and see every state! One day!