Freeze Damaged Saguaro Cactus

Last winter in Arizona/Tucson there were several days of freezing weather, 19 degrees F.  Some of the tall old Saguaros suffered a lot of damage and are in the process of dying.  

I decided to sketch a study of the damage.

First the summer fruit production is drastically reduced.  Then the outer shell starts peeling away, the arms fall off or leave remnants of the inner structure.  The inner ribs are bare sticks.  The holes that the birds make for nests create a 'boot' inside the cactus and when the outer cactus layers peel away the boot is left hanging.

So sad to see these old giants dying but that is part of life and death in the desert.

Cactus Monday - Blooming Saguaro - Teri Casper

Cactus Monday - Blooming Saguaro
Originally uploaded by Teri DC

Just before we left Arizona this tall Saguaro cactus was blooming in my neighbor's yard. As we drove by I made DH stop so I could take a photo because I knew I wanted to paint it. The Saguaro's usually bloom after we leave so this was exciting.
I used watercolor for everything but the white flowers and buds. I used gouache for them. I like the way the sun seems to be shining so bright on this cactus.
And it feels good to be painting again.
This is painting #50 in my '100 Paintings Challenge' WHOOHOO!!

Happy Cactus Monday!

Cactus Monday - Our Personal Saguaro - Teri Casper

I decided it was time to do a sketch of the Saguaro in front of our house. When we moved here there were no arms on this Saguaro and now we have 9 or 10 in various stages of growth.
No one knows why a Saguaro grows arms but it is said they need to be about 75 years old and since ours is about 25 feet tall (that is about 75 years, it was due.

Notice how the ribs split as it grows and widens.
Okay, my biggest fear is that someday it will fall on the house. We had a cactus expert look at it and he said there is a 50-50% chance it will fall. That was helpful.
We don't really want to cut it down as they are so precious so I won't worry........

Happy Cactus Monday everyone!

For some reason this did not want to scan well. Sorry.