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A cactus paradise here at Kofa National Wildlife Refuge south of Quartzsite, Arizona. This stop just before Palm Canyon hosts a number of common unique plants & succulents found in hot & dry Sonoran Desert. In this view, there were four main cactus species in view however there were several other ground cacti I encountered in the area. The most abundant is the teddy bear cholla, as well as the giant saguaro cactus, the state flower of Arizona though still too early in bloom. Two in proximity were growing in the small wash. Close in view appeared to be I think a buckhorn cholla? - more slender in appearance. The long tall spiny bushes are ocotillo which have red flowers at the top. Some of the other bushes in the area were creosote, desert ironwood, & jojoba. It was in the upper 90s, which is warm though not as hot as the 120*F temps that can often hit the area. Venturing off road, one needs to wear thick soles as even just a quick step off the road there are plenty of skeletal needles of dead cacti strewn across the rocky ground that will easily latch onto your shoes & pants.
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