These boulders are made of granite with feldspar and quartz spaced evenly throughout. This granite has a 3-dimensional way of fracturing that makes it useless for building, but great for natural sculptures. Here's how. First, the granite does its fracture thing. Then the feldspar melts (no not from the Arizona heat) when rain mixes with the carbon dioxide of the air, it becomes slightly acidic and melts the feldspar. This leaves a kind of clay that the rain and wind can sculpt into these astounding boulders. Those that look like they should fall off, probably will some time--some geologic time that is-- maybe in the next millenium or so.
Saguaros are a fascinating example of the enormous impact one plant can have on its environment.
These magnificent plants are really pleated water storage tanks. During the winter rains and summer monsoons they accordion out to store literally tons of water. During the dry season and drought years they become crinkled shadows of their former selves. Having no leaves to transpire moisture, they do the photosynthesis thing with their leather-green skins. Their thorns offer some defense against being eaten, although a surprising number of desert animals manage to devour them,
The thorns, however, do provide protection for numerous animals that live in the cacti. Woodpeckers and flickers drill the holes and nest in them for a season. The Saguaro heals over these wounds with a dopamine substance. (Maybe there's more to these holes than meets the eye--are those bird getting stoned on their nests? Now there's a novel way to keep the family together.)
Air conditioning is another big plus of Saguaro holes. All that storage water keeps the internal temperature 20° cooler than outside. The reverse is also true. Cold nights find the inside of a saguaro warmer--your basic cost-effective solar heating and cooling system.
Woodpeckers and flickers only use their holes for one season and after that they're up for grabs. Elf owls, flycatchers, purple martins, and sparrow hawks are all wannabe tenants.
Then, of course, everyone from the smallest fruit fly to people relish some part of the saguaro for food. Saguaro fruit was once a staple of the O'odham Indian and is still used for juice and jelly.
This neat-o system doesn't develop overnight however. First a saguaro seed must be the one of the approximately trillion or so that survives to germination. Then, if it finds a protected spot--say under a paloverde tree--and is not eaten, it might grow to the whopping height of 1/4 inch in a year. By the time your grandchildren are applying for social security--say around 2100 or so--the Saguaro will start hitting its stride and begin to branch. By its 100th birthday the saguaro reaches about 30'.
Goodness, that should convince anyone not to mess with a saguaro!
Sonoran Spa
This is a beautifully appointed spa and fitness center with nice people and great treatments. Body and facial treatments use indigenous herbs such as aloe, yucca, and sage. And this is all set up so you can get your exercise along with your pampering. Here's their menu…
BOULDERS DAILY SCHEDULE
