Tower of thorns

You've likely seen this stately cactus used as a symbol of Mexican or American Southwest culture. But perhaps not from this low angle, which really underscores what towering heights the saguaro can reach. Native to the Sonoran Desert, these multi-pronged, spiky spires can grow higher than 40 feet and, after soaking up a heavy monsoon rain, may weigh up to 4,800 pounds. The desert's isolated-yet-heavy downpours allow the saguaro to store vast amounts of water that keep it standing proud through long droughts.