During the past month we visited a number of national parks in the desert southwest: Big Bend National Park in Texas, Saguaro National Park in Arizona, and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona. We lucked out with timing of these visits. There was an unusually high amount of rain over the winter which has made the desert turn green with an abundance of wildflowers.
Barrel Cactus and Wildflowers
Brittlebush
Brittlebush
Hedgehog Cactus
Creosote Bush
Saguaro Cactus
Crazy Looking Saguaro Cactus
Organ Pipe Cactus
Fish Hook Cactus
Ocotillo Flower
Ocotillo (Ocotillo is actually not a cactus – it is candlewood)
Torrey Yucca
Prickly Pear Cactus
Prickly Pear Cactus
And the landscape that is so different from the northeast is spectacular.
The Window in Big Bend
Saguaro National Park
Arch in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
On the Road in Arizona
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Desert View Hiking Trail in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Sunset at Our Campsite in Twin Peaks Campground (Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument)
View from our campsite in Terlingua, TX (Near Big Bend National Park)
