Yucca Tribute

Six-headed Yucca

After saying goodbye to one of their fallen comrades yesterday it seemed only fitting to post some photos of some other majestic specimens of Yucca torreyi.  They are one of the signature species of the Chihuahuan Desert, similar in many ways to the Joshua Tree of the Mojave Desert.  Yuccas are a source of food and shelter for many desert critters, including the Black-tailed Jackrabbit, Desert Cottontail, Woodrats and Packrats.  The flowers, fruit and seeds provide food for birds and insects alike.  And many birds--orioles, cactus wrens and thrashers--often take shelter inside.

Just beyond the lineman school

An arroyo well-populated with plants

Soaptree Yuccas

Three-foot Barrel Cactus

Stand up straight like this

Scott's Oriole

Christmas Cactus

A quarter way across the Crosscut Trail

Curve-billed Thrasher in an Ocotillo

Old Curved Bill flew to a Yucca crown

Becca and I are just slightly in front of this beauty

All of the same clan

Same Yucca from a different perspective

Just getting a start (cameo appearance by shade-seeker)