Hunt for the Crested Saguaro

March 3, 2020

The day after arriving at our boondocking spot south of Ajo AZ, we were joined by Steve, a friend from Portal AZ (Cave Creek Canyon). 

Cave Creek Canyon

This was his first time in the Ajo area.

Steve is a professional Photographer and his goal was to visit Organ Pipe Cactus Natl. Monument (link) and photograph a rare Crested Sagurao (link). It's believed that only 1 in 1200 have this curious formation.

After Steve got his camper setup, we were off to Organ Pipe NM, just 34 miles south on US 85. 

Arriving at the Visitors Center right at 2 pm, we joined the Ranger walk through a nature path that highlights some of the local ecosystems.

Armed with information provided by the Rangers, we were off on the Ajo Mountain Drive (link) in search of the elusive Crested Saguaro.

We found several, mostly Organ Pipe Cactus Cristates...

Organ Pipe Cactus with Cristate near the base.

... but a prime example of a Saguaro eluded us.

March 4, 2020

After some creative navigation and a little luck, we finally found the target of our quest late in the afternoon.

Hunter and pray stand toe to toe.

"Almost" full moon shares the stage.

We had a good time visiting with Steve and helping with his... Hunt for the Crested Saguaro!

What adventures lay ahead... stay tuned.