Saguaro National Park Saturday 29^th August

It had been a steamy night and several of us had slept without the fly and it was still a pleasant temperature at dawn.

We drove down the road and entered Saguaro National Park. There was a presentation by a ranger to tell us all about the cacti and thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining it was too. Then it was a drive through the saguaro forest and a short walk to take photos of the various cacti. It was too hot for anything more than a short walk.

A general view and some close ups of particular specimens.

We were warneed to watch out for wildlife, scorpions, the black ones are not poisonous but the straw coloured ones are deadly. Snakes with pointy ends are non poisonous but usually move away fast. The fatter ones are rattle snakes and  are slower and are more likely to stop if they can not escape fast enough and will then attack. The bite is painful and poisonous. Anti venom bite injections need to be administered quickly and are not always available....so look where you walk!

Some more general photos.

Next it was a drive down to Nogales on the USA – Mexican border to Patagonia State Park with its lake. Several of the girls went straight to the lake for a swim. The camp site is out of town but popular with tourists and locals especially as it was a long weekend. As it is located on the border so ideal for an early morning crossing tomorrow.