{"id":5690,"date":"2022-09-02T08:06:13","date_gmt":"2022-09-02T15:06:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/?p=5690"},"modified":"2022-09-02T08:06:13","modified_gmt":"2022-09-02T15:06:13","slug":"saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/2022\/09\/02\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\/","title":{"rendered":"Saguaro National Park 2: Critters and Flowers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/2022\/08\/26\/saguaro-national-park-east-during-a-wet-monsoon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Last week<\/a> I took you on a virtual hike in the east unit of Saguaro National Park, where the desert is green and lush from all the rain we&#8217;ve had. This week we&#8217;re going to get up close and personal with plants and critters. But first: Welcome to the <a href=\"https:\/\/fresh.inlinkz.com\/party\/f631adab8c6b4131b080bd832e59d589\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Weekend Coffee Share<\/a>, hosted by <a href=\"https:\/\/natalietheexplorer.home.blog\/2022\/09\/02\/prime-berth-in-twillingate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Natalie the Explorer<\/a>! And since I have so many flower pics in this post, I&#8217;m also linking up with <a href=\"https:\/\/ceenphotography.com\/2022\/09\/01\/fotd-september-2-dahlia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cee&#8217;s Flower of the Day photo challenge<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lace up your boots, pour your coffee in a Thermos, and let&#8217;s hit the trail! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Flora of Saguaro National Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Unless you&#8217;re really new here, you&#8217;ll know I love to take pictures of flowers. In the immortal words of Goldmember, it&#8217;s kind of my thing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And unless you&#8217;re really, really new here, you know that if I mention a movie scene, I&#8217;m going to embed a clip, so here you go: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How bout no ya crazy dutch bastard\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/y0QbXfvbjFk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This, kids, is what passed for quality entertainment in the early aughts. I know, I&#8217;m embarrassed too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>OK, where were we? Oh, yeah: plants in Saguaro National Park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cactus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;m sure you&#8217;ll be shocked to learn that there are lots of saguaros in Saguaro National Park. I mean, who&#8217;da thought? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.53.48.jpg?resize=473%2C631&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5709\" width=\"473\" height=\"631\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.53.48.jpg?resize=768%2C1025&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.53.48.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.53.48.jpg?w=907&amp;ssl=1 907w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 473px) 100vw, 473px\" \/><figcaption>A live saguaro taunts the decaying corpse of its neighbor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;ve thought about titling that photo, The Prick and the Dead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s some more Sonoran Desert vegetation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-21-20.43.00-3.jpg?resize=471%2C589&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5710\" width=\"471\" height=\"589\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-21-20.43.00-3.jpg?w=432&amp;ssl=1 432w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-21-20.43.00-3.jpg?resize=240%2C300&amp;ssl=1 240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 471px) 100vw, 471px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The tall, vase-shaped thing to the right is an ocotillo. It&#8217;s wickedly thorny, but it isn&#8217;t a cactus. Their branches are often used as fencing because they&#8217;re abundant, and those thorns are basically nature&#8217;s barbed wire. Sometimes the branches root and start growing, which makes for some interesting-looking fences!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The prickly thing in the foreground is a prickly pear, and the stuff in the very foreground is probably the most unusual part of this picture&#8211;grass! We don&#8217;t have much grass around here except when it rains a lot. Long-Suffering Husband, who grew up in the very rainy Pacific Northwest, gets really excited when he sees grass down here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-10.53.24.jpg?resize=623%2C467&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5711\" width=\"623\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-10.53.24.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-10.53.24.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-10.53.24.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-10.53.24.jpg?w=1210&amp;ssl=1 1210w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 623px) 100vw, 623px\" \/><figcaption>Teddy bear cholla and brittlebush<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Meet the teddy bear cholla. Don&#8217;t let the name fool you. Those things that make it look all soft and cuddly? Those are spines. Big-ass, wicked spines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.07.04.jpg?resize=635%2C476&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5712\" width=\"635\" height=\"476\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.07.04.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.07.04.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.07.04.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.07.04.jpg?w=1210&amp;ssl=1 1210w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 635px) 100vw, 635px\" \/><figcaption>New growth on an old cholla<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The cacti are happy with all the rain and in this case putting out lots of new growth. The spines on this sprout were still soft enough to touch without swearing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.38.19-1.jpg?resize=593%2C445&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5716\" width=\"593\" height=\"445\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.38.19-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.38.19-1.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.38.19-1.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.38.19-1.jpg?w=1210&amp;ssl=1 1210w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 593px) 100vw, 593px\" \/><figcaption>Young prickly pear and pincushion cactus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cactus Flowers <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>My favorite part of a cactus is the flowers. Most cactus flowers are spectacular. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.48.12.jpg?resize=494%2C659&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5692\" width=\"494\" height=\"659\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.48.12.jpg?resize=768%2C1025&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.48.12.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.48.12.jpg?w=907&amp;ssl=1 907w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 494px) 100vw, 494px\" \/><figcaption>Cholla flower (chainfruit cholla, I think)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-10.20.04.jpg?resize=494%2C659&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5693\" width=\"494\" height=\"659\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-10.20.04.jpg?resize=768%2C1025&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-10.20.04.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-10.20.04.jpg?w=907&amp;ssl=1 907w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 494px) 100vw, 494px\" \/><figcaption>Fishhook barrel cactus in bloom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.29.42.jpg?resize=495%2C660&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5694\" width=\"495\" height=\"660\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.29.42.jpg?resize=768%2C1025&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.29.42.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.29.42.jpg?w=907&amp;ssl=1 907w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 495px) 100vw, 495px\" \/><figcaption>Closeup of a fishhook barrel cactus flower<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other desert flowers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to the big spiny things, a few other plants were also in bloom: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.47.51.jpg?resize=495%2C371&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5695\" width=\"495\" height=\"371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.47.51.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.47.51.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.47.51.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.47.51.jpg?w=1210&amp;ssl=1 1210w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 495px) 100vw, 495px\" \/><figcaption>Blooming creosote bush<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Creosote is responsible for the amazing wet desert smell after a rain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.53.48.jpg?resize=497%2C373&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5696\" width=\"497\" height=\"373\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.53.48.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.53.48.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.53.48.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.53.48.jpg?w=1210&amp;ssl=1 1210w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 497px) 100vw, 497px\" \/><figcaption>Desert globemallow<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I keep planting globe mallow in my front yard, and the rabbits keep eating it. *sigh*<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.53.57.jpg?resize=506%2C380&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5697\" width=\"506\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.53.57.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.53.57.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.53.57.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.53.57.jpg?w=1210&amp;ssl=1 1210w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 506px) 100vw, 506px\" \/><figcaption>Another mallow, not sure what kind<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-10.07.07.jpg?resize=506%2C675&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5698\" width=\"506\" height=\"675\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-10.07.07.jpg?resize=768%2C1025&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-10.07.07.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-10.07.07.jpg?w=907&amp;ssl=1 907w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 506px) 100vw, 506px\" \/><figcaption>Coves&#8217; cassia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.53.19.jpg?resize=507%2C676&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5700\" width=\"507\" height=\"676\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.53.19.jpg?resize=768%2C1025&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.53.19.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.53.19.jpg?w=907&amp;ssl=1 907w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 507px) 100vw, 507px\" \/><figcaption>Another unknown member of the mallow family<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>That last one looks like it&#8217;s growing out of a cactus, but it isn&#8217;t. Cool effect, though. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fauna of the Sonoran Desert<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>People think of deserts as barren and lifeless, but that&#8217;s not true&#8211;especially not here. We see tons of critters even in our midtown Tucson neighborhood. The Saguaro National Park website has a great <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/sagu\/learn\/nature\/animals.htm#:~:text=Saguaro%20National%20Park%20contains%20a,all%20seen%20regularly%20by%20visitors.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">page with pictures of animals found in the park<\/a>. They also have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/sagu\/getinvolved\/gila-monster-project.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a citizen science program for tracking Gila monsters<\/a>. Every time I go to the park, I hope I&#8217;ll see a Gila monster (because I&#8217;m enough of a weirdo to want to encounter a large, venomous lizard in the wild), and every time I&#8217;m disappointed. Ah, well. We still saw some interesting creatures:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Insects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.49.11.jpg?resize=527%2C395&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5701\" width=\"527\" height=\"395\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.49.11.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.49.11.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.49.11.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.49.11.jpg?w=1210&amp;ssl=1 1210w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 527px) 100vw, 527px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Beetle on a cholla<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Someone should really rename Tucson Beetle Land, because we have So. Many. Beetles &#8211; including giant palo verde beetles that fly about as well as a June bug (that is to say, they&#8217;ll fly into the side of your head). Oh, and they bite. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anyway, the beetle in the picture above is not a palo verde beetle, because the palo verde beetles are gone for the year. They come out from underground every summer, mate, and die. They don&#8217;t even eat&#8211;just mate and die. [Insert joke about male humans here.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.30.43.jpg?resize=551%2C734&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5703\" width=\"551\" height=\"734\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.30.43.jpg?resize=768%2C1025&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.30.43.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.30.43.jpg?w=907&amp;ssl=1 907w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 551px) 100vw, 551px\" \/><figcaption>Velvet ant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Sorry for the not-great picture, but velvet ants don&#8217;t stay still much, and I wasn&#8217;t about to get too close to a creature nicknamed the cow-killer for its painful sting. Apparently they enter nests of bees and wasps, sting the owner into submission, and lay their own eggs in the nest. You can learn more about these charming creatures <a href=\"http:\/\/www.arizonensis.org\/sonoran\/fieldguide\/arthropoda\/dasymutilla_magnifica.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moving on to something less ugly than beetles and ants: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.50.48.jpg?resize=549%2C412&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5702\" width=\"549\" height=\"412\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.50.48.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.50.48.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.50.48.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.50.48.jpg?w=1210&amp;ssl=1 1210w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 549px) 100vw, 549px\" \/><figcaption>Monarch butterfly on a creosote flower<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I have issues with most of the insect community, but I LOVE butterflies, especially monarchs. We had tons of them last year&#8211;at work, in my yard, in the gardens at <a href=\"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/2021\/09\/11\/tumacacori-national-historical-park-weekend-coffee-share-5\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tumac\u00e1cori National Historical Park<\/a>. This year I&#8217;ve seen maybe 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Desert Tortoise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The highlight of our desert animal-spotting was seeing this dude trundling along the side of the Freeman Homestead Trail: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.32.00.jpg?resize=559%2C745&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5713\" width=\"559\" height=\"745\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.32.00.jpg?resize=768%2C1025&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.32.00.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.32.00.jpg?w=907&amp;ssl=1 907w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 559px) 100vw, 559px\" \/><figcaption>Desert tortoise along the Freeman Homestead Trail, Saguaro National Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Neither of us had ever seen a tortoise in the wild before. We made such a fuss taking pictures of him, he [I&#8217;m using the generic &#8220;he&#8221; here&#8211;I can&#8217;t tell from the pictures if it was male or female] probably thought he was a rock star by the time we were done. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.32.43.jpg?resize=561%2C421&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5714\" width=\"561\" height=\"421\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.32.43.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.32.43.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.32.43.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.32.43.jpg?w=1210&amp;ssl=1 1210w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 561px) 100vw, 561px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>And here he is, ready for his closeup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.33.41.jpg?resize=755%2C566&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5715\" width=\"755\" height=\"566\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.33.41.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.33.41.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.33.41.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-11.33.41.jpg?w=1210&amp;ssl=1 1210w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 755px) 100vw, 755px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Memes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The meme collection is small this week, because my day job has been cutting into my <s>time-wasting on social media<\/s> research for this blog. I hate it when that happens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-09-01-06.36.57.jpg?resize=573%2C860&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5718\" width=\"573\" height=\"860\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-09-01-06.36.57.jpg?w=637&amp;ssl=1 637w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-09-01-06.36.57.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 573px) 100vw, 573px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Went to grad school. Can confirm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-19-20.54.48.jpg?resize=693%2C536&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5719\" width=\"693\" height=\"536\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-19-20.54.48.jpg?resize=1024%2C793&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-19-20.54.48.jpg?resize=300%2C232&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-19-20.54.48.jpg?resize=768%2C595&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-19-20.54.48.jpg?w=1394&amp;ssl=1 1394w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 693px) 100vw, 693px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This one&#8217;s just here because I love alligators. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/lifestyle\/2022\/08\/29\/emotional-support-alligator-wally-henney\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">This article<\/a> about a man and his emotional support alligator made my entire week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let&#8217;s spice up the weekly memes with some gratuitous nudity:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-15-18.36.37.jpg?resize=520%2C732&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5720\" width=\"520\" height=\"732\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-15-18.36.37.jpg?w=720&amp;ssl=1 720w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-15-18.36.37.jpg?resize=213%2C300&amp;ssl=1 213w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>And more gratuitous nudity: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-09-01-21.24.17.jpg?resize=520%2C599&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5721\" width=\"520\" height=\"599\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-09-01-21.24.17.jpg?w=833&amp;ssl=1 833w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-09-01-21.24.17.jpg?resize=260%2C300&amp;ssl=1 260w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-09-01-21.24.17.jpg?resize=768%2C885&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>That one made me snort-laugh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;m going to apologize for this next one up front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-30-22.29.37.jpg?resize=511%2C511&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5722\" width=\"511\" height=\"511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-30-22.29.37.jpg?w=960&amp;ssl=1 960w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-30-22.29.37.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-30-22.29.37.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-30-22.29.37.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 511px) 100vw, 511px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You know me, always keeping it classy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-30-22.39.10.jpg?resize=519%2C432&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5723\" width=\"519\" height=\"432\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-30-22.39.10.jpg?w=960&amp;ssl=1 960w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-30-22.39.10.jpg?resize=300%2C250&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-30-22.39.10.jpg?resize=768%2C641&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 519px) 100vw, 519px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Have watched all 3 seasons of Mindhunter. Can confirm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And finally: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-30-22.37.55.jpg?resize=379%2C403&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5724\" width=\"379\" height=\"403\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-30-22.37.55.jpg?w=720&amp;ssl=1 720w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-30-22.37.55.jpg?resize=282%2C300&amp;ssl=1 282w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 379px) 100vw, 379px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Before you go&#8230;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you too are a glutton for punishment, I&#8217;d like to ask you a favor&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wait, that didn&#8217;t come out right. Let me masquerade as an adult for a few sentences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ahem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Writers these days are exhorted to &#8220;build a platform,&#8221; preferably before trying to find an agent. A core part of a writer&#8217;s platform is their email list, a\/k\/a their newsletter subscribers. Well, folks, this weekend I&#8217;m going to create my first-ever email newsletter. That&#8217;s right, volume 1, issue 1 is about to come into being. And I&#8217;d love to send it to you! So if you want to see my ridiculousness in your inbox, drop your email in the Newsletter box at the top of the righthand sidebar. I&#8217;ll never share your email address, and you can unsubscribe anytime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And there will be memes. I promise there will be memes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#8217;s it for me this week. It&#8217;s Labor Day Weekend here in the US, so I get an extra day to avoid housework and weed-pulling. How about you? Whatcha got planned for the weekend? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last week I took you on a virtual hike in the east unit of Saguaro National Park, where the desert is green and lush from all the rain we&#8217;ve had. This week we&#8217;re going to get up close and personal with plants and critters. But first: Welcome to the Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer! And since I have so many flower pics in this post, I&#8217;m also linking up with Cee&#8217;s Flower of the Day photo challenge. Lace up your boots, pour your coffee in a Thermos, and let&#8217;s hit the trail!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5692,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[290,25,292],"tags":[36,46,65,73,321,128],"class_list":["post-5690","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arizona","category-fotd","category-weekend-coffee-share","tag-arizona","tag-cactus","tag-desert","tag-flowers","tag-memes","tag-tucson"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Saguaro National Park 2: Critters and Flowers - Janet Alcorn<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/2022\/09\/02\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Saguaro National Park 2: Critters and Flowers - Janet Alcorn\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Last week I took you on a virtual hike in the east unit of Saguaro National Park, where the desert is green and lush from all the rain we&#8217;ve had. This week we&#8217;re going to get up close and personal with plants and critters. But first: Welcome to the Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer! And since I have so many flower pics in this post, I&#8217;m also linking up with Cee&#8217;s Flower of the Day photo challenge. Lace up your boots, pour your coffee in a Thermos, and let&#8217;s hit the trail!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/2022\/09\/02\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Janet Alcorn\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-09-02T15:06:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.48.12.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"907\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1210\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Janet Alcorn\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Janet Alcorn\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/02\\\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/02\\\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Janet Alcorn\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/1aac50de576bdaf0779748da66890dfa\"},\"headline\":\"Saguaro National Park 2: Critters and Flowers\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-09-02T15:06:13+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/02\\\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1276,\"commentCount\":32,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/1aac50de576bdaf0779748da66890dfa\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/02\\\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/2022-08-20-09.48.12.jpg?fit=907%2C1210&ssl=1\",\"keywords\":[\"arizona\",\"cactus\",\"desert\",\"flowers\",\"memes\",\"tucson\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Arizona\",\"Flower of the Day\",\"Weekend Coffee Share\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/02\\\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/02\\\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/02\\\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\\\/\",\"name\":\"Saguaro National Park 2: Critters and Flowers - Janet Alcorn\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/02\\\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/02\\\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/2022-08-20-09.48.12.jpg?fit=907%2C1210&ssl=1\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-09-02T15:06:13+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/02\\\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/02\\\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/02\\\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/2022-08-20-09.48.12.jpg?fit=907%2C1210&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/2022-08-20-09.48.12.jpg?fit=907%2C1210&ssl=1\",\"width\":907,\"height\":1210,\"caption\":\"Pink cactus flower with white center\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/2022\\\/09\\\/02\\\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Saguaro National Park 2: Critters and Flowers\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/\",\"name\":\"Janet Alcorn\",\"description\":\"Suspense | Horror | Romance\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/1aac50de576bdaf0779748da66890dfa\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":[\"Person\",\"Organization\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/1aac50de576bdaf0779748da66890dfa\",\"name\":\"Janet Alcorn\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/12\\\/Janet-Alcorn-logo.png?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/12\\\/Janet-Alcorn-logo.png?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/12\\\/Janet-Alcorn-logo.png?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1\",\"width\":500,\"height\":500,\"caption\":\"Janet Alcorn\"},\"logo\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/janetalcorn.com\\\/staging\\\/1364\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/12\\\/Janet-Alcorn-logo.png?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Saguaro National Park 2: Critters and Flowers - Janet Alcorn","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/2022\/09\/02\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Saguaro National Park 2: Critters and Flowers - Janet Alcorn","og_description":"Last week I took you on a virtual hike in the east unit of Saguaro National Park, where the desert is green and lush from all the rain we&#8217;ve had. This week we&#8217;re going to get up close and personal with plants and critters. But first: Welcome to the Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer! And since I have so many flower pics in this post, I&#8217;m also linking up with Cee&#8217;s Flower of the Day photo challenge. Lace up your boots, pour your coffee in a Thermos, and let&#8217;s hit the trail!","og_url":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/2022\/09\/02\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\/","og_site_name":"Janet Alcorn","article_published_time":"2022-09-02T15:06:13+00:00","og_image":[{"width":907,"height":1210,"url":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.48.12.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Janet Alcorn","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Janet Alcorn","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/2022\/09\/02\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/2022\/09\/02\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\/"},"author":{"name":"Janet Alcorn","@id":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/#\/schema\/person\/1aac50de576bdaf0779748da66890dfa"},"headline":"Saguaro National Park 2: Critters and Flowers","datePublished":"2022-09-02T15:06:13+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/2022\/09\/02\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\/"},"wordCount":1276,"commentCount":32,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/#\/schema\/person\/1aac50de576bdaf0779748da66890dfa"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/2022\/09\/02\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.48.12.jpg?fit=907%2C1210&ssl=1","keywords":["arizona","cactus","desert","flowers","memes","tucson"],"articleSection":["Arizona","Flower of the Day","Weekend Coffee Share"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/2022\/09\/02\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/2022\/09\/02\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\/","url":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/2022\/09\/02\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\/","name":"Saguaro National Park 2: Critters and Flowers - Janet Alcorn","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/2022\/09\/02\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/2022\/09\/02\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.48.12.jpg?fit=907%2C1210&ssl=1","datePublished":"2022-09-02T15:06:13+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/2022\/09\/02\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/2022\/09\/02\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/2022\/09\/02\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.48.12.jpg?fit=907%2C1210&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.48.12.jpg?fit=907%2C1210&ssl=1","width":907,"height":1210,"caption":"Pink cactus flower with white center"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/2022\/09\/02\/saguaro-national-park-2-critters-and-flowers\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Saguaro National Park 2: Critters and Flowers"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/#website","url":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/","name":"Janet Alcorn","description":"Suspense | Horror | Romance","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/#\/schema\/person\/1aac50de576bdaf0779748da66890dfa"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":["Person","Organization"],"@id":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/#\/schema\/person\/1aac50de576bdaf0779748da66890dfa","name":"Janet Alcorn","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Janet-Alcorn-logo.png?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Janet-Alcorn-logo.png?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Janet-Alcorn-logo.png?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1","width":500,"height":500,"caption":"Janet Alcorn"},"logo":{"@id":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Janet-Alcorn-logo.png?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1"}}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/2022-08-20-09.48.12.jpg?fit=907%2C1210&ssl=1","acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5690","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5690"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5690\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5732,"href":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5690\/revisions\/5732"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5692"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5690"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5690"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/janetalcorn.com\/staging\/1364\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5690"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}