Saguaro cacti, Ironwood Forest National Monument, Arizona Aug. 31, 2023

Massive succulents against a mountainous backdrop, underneath the sun-kissed sky—it"s prickly perfection. Pictured here are saguaro (pronounced "sah-wah-roh") cacti at Arizona"s Ironwood Forest National Monument in the Sonoran Desert of North America. Even if you haven"t seen one in person, when you hear the word cactus, you"re probably thinking of saguaro—tall, green, cylindrical, with arms pointing upward. Though they are slow growers, these plants have been known to live over 200 years and reach enormous heights, with one setting the record at 23.8 metres. Another saguaro cactus, known as "Grandaddy," survived in the sweltering desert for about 300 years, eventually succumbing to old age in the early 1990s. Cacti may not be for everyone, but they tend to grow on you (figuratively, of course)!

© Jack Dykinga/Minden Pictures

palette

Today in History

How sweet to be a star, floating in the blue.
Aug. 31, 2024Rocks and sand in the Sahara, Algeria
Aug. 31, 2025Scotts Bluff National Monument, Gering, Nebraska, United States

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Protecting the gentle giants
Oct. 1, 2023Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, British Columbia
Im ready for my close-up, Mr. DeSquirrel
Oct. 29, 2025Ancient til trees in Fanal Forest, Madeira, Portugal
A triumphant pose
Oct. 22, 2024Palazzo Zuccari, Rome
Apr. 24, 2025Spire Cove in Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, Alaska, United States
Wind-powered ice racing
Sep. 3, 2024Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington, United States
Oct. 27, 2023Sligachan Old Bridge, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Sep. 17, 2024Mid-Autumn Festival
Jan. 21, 2025Squirrel Appreciation Day
Aug. 8, 2025The Three Musketeers Falls at Iguazú Falls, Argentina
Nov. 30, 2023Saint Andrews Day
May 8, 2025World Donkey Day
Jun. 26, 2024Banggai cardinalfish with sea anemone
Oct. 22, 2025Belogradchik Rocks, Bulgaria
This clever bird passes with flying colours
Nov. 25, 2025Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy
All is calm
Jan. 20, 2024Macaroni penguins, Drake Passage, Chile
Sep. 10, 2025Hay bales in North Yorkshire, England
Oct. 18, 2023Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
Jul. 31, 2024Hoodoos, Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA
Oct. 28, 2024Pumpkin field, Victoria, British Columbia
Dec. 15, 2025Spiegelgracht canal in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Sharks, just living their lives
Feb. 29, 2024Leap Day
May 29, 2025Miravet, Catalonia, Spain
It’s time for the Calgary Stampede!