Cholla (right, Chris?)

Okay, probably not the best technically presented photograph around, but I liked these trees. I believe that they are the "cholla" cactus. Chris?

Any comments or ratings are appreciated! :-)

The jumping cholla (Cylindropuntia fulgida) can grow to heights of 12 feet, but I've never seen them more that 4 to 5 feet high and looking more like fat bushes at that height. I am not exactly sure why they are called Jumping chollas, but I do have my opinion on that matter. It seems that if a person gets to within a few inches of one that suddenly a cholla cone is attached to ones clothing. The best way to remove them from clothing is to use a flame-thrower to fry them to a crisp!

Yeah - I read somewhere that you should NOT get close enough to touch them - that if a spike lodged itself in your skin, and you tried to get it out with your finger, it would re-lodge itself in your finger or whatever touched it. Ugh! I was VERY careful. Thanks for verifying the name for me!

Nice photo - hope there were no 'rattlers' around for your sake.

NO! I was SOOOO careful about looking at the ground for snakes. I did NOT want to run into any of those guys!!!

Unfortunately, I have had a very negative experience with this cacti too. In Joshua Tree where the specimens seem no larger than five feet high I got a couple of these little balls of "spineiness" attached to my cuffs and then working their way up my pants inside the leg puncturing my leg and shin all the way. They jumped higher up my trouser leg each time I walked another step or moved. My leg swelled like a balloon. I won't soon forget the experience. I swear there is some toxic substance on these crochet hook-like spiney needles! They are very reluctant to attempts at removal! I've attached a photo of the bugger that got me. You can see what attracted me in the first place...like a bee to honey huh?

Eek! What a story, Philip! Thanks for sharing it. Oh, the dangers we face as photographers.....

Interesting Lou Ann,the composition, the cacti and the information....great traveling you did, and we enjoy with you together, thanks!