Saguaro Inside Out - Boots and Ribs

Photos above by Nancy Chaney

Photo by Lisa E White at Spur Cross

I cannot look at a saguaro cactus without personifying it as it stands tall and stoic, arms raised to the heavens (or is it a stick-up?)  This is at least the seventh time I have featured saguaros in this year long blog, not counting sunset silhouettes.  I never grow tired of their character.  After about 150-200 years, a saguaro will have lived a normal life.  When it dies, animals will eat the fleshy portion until only the ribs remain.  Among the ribs could be several boots made from a sap by the cactus which hardens like wood to repair holes made by insects and birds.  (See blog of Aug. 21 for more info on boot formation.)  Who knew these boots looked so much like the boots of Bigfoot?  Naturally, boots make great homes to many varieties of desert birds such as owls. Boots also were used by Native Americans to carry water.  Arizona loves and protects its saguaros which provide nature with gifts and nourishment in life and death.  (See saguaro blogs: 4/7, 5/7, 5/19, 5/27, 6/2, 8/21.)