Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Elusive Crested Saguaro

 Woke up at 8:30 and opened the door to another warm sunshiny morning.  Calling for a high of 75.  I sat outside in the shade of the awning happy that I had nothing planned for the day.  Just relaxing in the shade.  Temperature a perfect 61 degrees with just a slight breeze.  Still in my PJs.

Wonder what I'm looking at?
Black Mountain to the southeast.
Around 11:30 Yuma started barking as a man approached our site.  Didn't have glasses on so couldn't see him clearly, but he had a dark beard, shorts and a knapsack on his back.  He petted Yuma and then said that he had seen me and Yuma at the laundromat yesterday.  Then I remembered he was the one that owned the sock I found on the floor.

His name is Larry and he was staying on the slab down by the tower which was probably 3 miles from here.  Said he was just hiking for exercise.  He mentioned that about a mile back he came across a crested saguaro and showed me a picture of it and the approximate location.  Now I have somewhere to hike today.

Thinking it wasn't too far, I decided to walk from camp to the location.  After about a mile hiking down Darby Well Road I was becoming overheated by the noonday sun and decided to head back and take the Jeep.

It is hot and my feet are killing me!😩

As I was resting after walking over 7500 steps, in the lounge chair drinking water and resting my weary feet, Larry came back heading for home.  So, I double checked with him of the location and felt confident I would find the prize and show it to you tonight.

Around 2 o'clock, Yuma and I Jeeped up the road to where Larry said to veer off to the north along the fence surrounding the Ajo Pit property.  The going was rugged.  Started out near an abandoned site with a firepit and headed along the fence towards the boulders.

Yuma says lets go up there and look around.

Nothing around here Dad!
It's after 3 o'clock and I'm beat.  My feet are killing me so we reluctantly retraced our steps looking carefully, but nada.  No crested saguaro anywhere.  Got back home and I immediately took two Tylenol and soaked my weary feet in cold water.  Over 12,500 steps for nothing and here I thought I was going to have a nice do nothing day.

Fixed a nice sirloin steak for dinner and then started with my post.  Dark now at a little after 7 o'clock but still have the windows open enjoying this nice 68 degree evening with not even a whisper of sound outside.

I'm going to rest tonight and then after breakfast tomorrow I will try one more time.

Thanks for stopping by.

21 comments:

  1. We found a crested saguaro near your location. It was a rather ugly one, and maybe not what you are looking to find. 32°19'13.7453" N 112°55'13.7168" W

    There is another nice one along the 85 a couple miles north of the OPCNM visitor center.

    Glad you are having a great time around Ajo.

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    1. Thanks Kevin. I will check out those coordinates tomorrow. I think it is the one because it was ugly in Larry's picture. I love the Ajo area. So much to do and see.

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  2. That crested saguaro is very elusive indeed. Hopefully, you'll have better luck tomorrow. Maybe your feet will be trade for another trek after resting up. I'm glad you're enjoying such wonderful weather. Lots of great pixtures!

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    1. Thanks Dolly. Hopefully lucky today. Maybe Kevin's coordinates will be what I need.

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  3. Had to Google what a crested saguaro was but I hope you find it! 😄. Looks beautiful out there!

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    1. Thanks Kristi. Now you know. They are fairly rare. Good to hear from you.

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  4. Those crested are very interesting, some folks think that they are from lightning strikes,others thinks a mutation. But even scientists don't know why, just just educated guessing.
    Hope your feet are heeled soon! Take care, Rawn Stone

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    1. They are far between. I am ready to go again today. Back to normal after a little rest.

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  5. The crested Saguaro are beautiful, usually worth the hunt. I hope you find it tomorrow. Envious of your beautiful 61F morning and 75F afternoon.
    Stay well.

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    1. Thanks Patsy. I think your weather is on the way up now. I do enjoy the weather here in winter.

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  6. Sorry you didn't find the prize. Hopefully you'll catch up to it today, or maybe tomorrow when your feet heal up. Crazy thought but I wonder if you could see it on Google Earth before you went out again. Just maybe .....

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    1. Today is the day or it's over. I think you have too much faith in Google Maps. 😁

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  7. The one along the hiway is pretty easy to see, you've driven past it quite a few times. The Oregon Pipe VC has a map, is it open?

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    1. I've already gotten a picture of the one on hwy 85. Hopefully I'll find this one today.

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  8. Wow..way too much work for a crested LOL. Awesome pictures though!

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  9. I looked up pictures of crested saguaros. Some were very interesting and some were downright weird. Some reminded me of that show "My Feet are Killing Me"....lol.

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    1. Ha, ha Elva. They can be pretty but some are not so pretty. Today is my last chance this year.

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  10. Walking in the southwest dessert we tend to focus on the ground and tend to miss the tops of the Saguaros.
    You should carry a bottle of water with you when out hiking.
    Be Safe and Enjoy!

    It's about time.

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    1. Me too. I need to get a canteen with a strap I can throw over my shoulder

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  11. Here's hoping you find that crested saguaro today (Thurs). I also read your previous post this morning. I had a hard time locating Yuma and your Jeep in those pictures. I almost needed a magnifying glass (haha). Hope you find the saguaro today.

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