The branched cacti that are emblematic of the Southwest don’t stand tall just anywhere–you’ll only find the spiny sentinels in Southern Arizona and Northern Mexico. The best place of all to encounter them is Saguaro National Park, which encircles Tucson. In particular, you want the western district, where the massive cacti grow so densely that the Park Service calls it a cactus forest, without a trace of irony. Some grow into 200-year-old specimens with up to 25 arms, while others remain a single enormous spire–no one knows exactly why. For an iconic Southwest shot, look for a saguaro with three or four prongs, preferably an hour before sundown for a silhouette.⁠ 🌵⁠ ⁠ 📸 @dendenglenn⁠