Dr. Matt McConeghy 1999
Sonoran Desert Scenes - Tucson, Arizona
Sunset over the Tucson Mountains (photo M. McConeghy 1999)
Here is a completely different environment from the Alaska scenes in the linked pages! These images are from sites near Tucson, Arizona. Some of the animal pictures were taken at the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum.
Tucson, Arizona is surrounded by the semi-arid Sonoran desert. The sun dominates the landscape at all times of the year, and plants and animals must struggle to find water and avoid the killing heat. Daytime air temperatures in the summer are often above 38 - 40 degrees C. (over 100 degrees F.) and there may be periods of several months when there is little or no rain. Torrential storms deliver most of the year's supply of water in a few hours of sudden, heavy rain during the rainy season.
A wide variety of fascinating animals and plants have evolved wonderful adaptations to fit them for survival in the desert. For many animals, survival means avoiding the sun by hiding during the day, or living in the shadows of the plants. For plants which must stand exposed to the sun, the adaptations may be even more amazing than for the animals.
(Click on photos for larger image)
A typical desert scene in the Sonoran Desert near Tucson, Arizona. Much of the ground is bare, but there are many plants and animals which have adapted for life here. (photo R.K. McConeghy)
The shade of the desert shrubs protect many
animals from the mid-day sun. (photo M.
McConeghy 1999)
Cold blooded lizards may move in and out of
the sun to adjust their body temperatures. (photo
M. McConeghy 1999)
Some animals move about mainly at dusk and
dawn. The Roadrunner is almost a symbol of the desert. (photo M. McConeghy 1999)
Plants
Some interesting desert plants.
A variety of Barrel Cactus blooms after the summer rains. (photo M. McConeghy)
Small plants may grow and bloom very rapidly during the rainy season, then die back during the dry part of the year. Flowers mean pollen, and in places where the plants are widely spread, pollination needs flying insects. The insect life cycle must closely match the growth and bloom of the plants.
(photo M. McConeghy 1999)
Flowers imply fruit. This "prickly pear" fruit will provide nourishment for birds, ground animals, insects and humans. (photo R.K.McConeghy)
Spines are modified leaves. This "Jumping Cholla" is completely covered with very sharp spines which provide shade and defend against predators. (photo R.K. McConeghy)
"Mistletoe" has solved the problem of water by growing as a parasite on this tree. (photo R.K. McConeghy)
A Cedar Waxwing gets water from fruit. (photo R.O. McConeghy 1999)
A killdeer takes a bath in a tiny mountain
stream. (photo R.O.McConeghy 1999)
A "crucillo" thorn bush has leaves only after the rains. When a dry spell comes, the leaves drop off to conserve water. (photo R.K. McConeghy)
Like the crucillo, the Ocotillo shown here has leaves only when water is abundant. In this dry season photo, the branches are completely bare of leaves. Some photosynthesis can still occur in the green bark. (photo R.K. McConeghy)
photo by Robert K. McConeghy
This photo shows the inside skeleton of a dead Saquaro cactus. The skeleton of wood is surrounded by a spongey flesh with a tough outer covering. When the rains come, the Saquaro soaks up water from a wide area of shallow roots. The water is stored in the spongey tissue and used by the Saquaro over a period of many months. The outer covering of the plant is pleated in folds like an accordion, it can expand or contract according to how much water is stored inside.
photo by Robert
K. McConeghy
The Palo Verde ("green stick") tree has tiny leaves (below) but green bark which can carry out photosynthesis. This conserves water during the dry season. With very bright sunshine almost every day, less surface area is needed to provide the tree with food.
Links
Return to Dr McConeghy's home page
Some related Sites that have additional information and views of the Sonoran Desert and Tucson.
Desert Life in the American Southwest - DesertUSA