About my avatar

sundarusha · Mar 16, 2008

This a picture I shot on my hike along the Windcave trail in Usury park in Mesa, Az.

This is a Saguaro ( Sah-wah-roh) cactus that I shot during sunset. It reminded me of the Tree pose that a yoga teacher might teach.

It is a native to the sonoran desert of Az, California and Northern Mexico. The saguaros are slow-growing, taking upto 75 years to develop a side arm. They are also slow to propagate. Because of these two factors, they are a protected plant species in Az. Some specimens live for more than 150 years.

The night-blooming cactus blossom is the state flower of Az.

MeenLoch · Mar 16, 2008

Usha,
Again an interesting aspect.
I was wondering what it was, when I saw ur avatar.
75 years to develop. That's a long time really.

Great going here at IL blogs with your informative posts.. Keep it up.

Shanvy · Mar 16, 2008

usha,

I has seen this cacti picture. but did not know these details.
Again a good info that it takes 75 years to develop. thanks for sharing.

sundarusha · Mar 16, 2008

Thank you meenloch and shanvy. It takes 75 years for just the side arm, so you can imagine how long it takes for a tree that size.

Anandchitra · Mar 17, 2008

Thanks for sharing.. the picture has come out very well. The sun behind ..

Sriniketan · Mar 24, 2008

Nice avatar and good explanation for the same....

sundarusha · Mar 29, 2008

thanks Sriniketan and Anandchitra

Abha · Jul 1, 2008

Ohh good explanation Sundarusha, I'm also in phoenix, and these cacti are quite a common site, the one in your picture is definitely more than 100 years old. another common thing here is orange, lemon and lime trees.

Well the mountains are also quite a common site, wherever you go you see mountains, but its not cool like mountains, Alas... these days the heat is really horrible, isnt it ?

sundarusha · Jul 1, 2008

Hi Abha
Thanks for the fb. I took this pic of the cactus during our weekend walk at the Usury park in March. The weather was much gentler then. Yeah. last couple of days it has been very hot. I am forced to take my daily walk before 6.30 AM.