Valle de los Cirios

The area just north of Catavina and extending to Guerro Negro, has some of the most bizarre desert flora in Baja.  Cirios means candles in English and indeed, these tall spiky cacti (the right one above) are aptly named.  In my family we call them Dr. Seuss creatures.

There are 120 species of cactus in Baja.  The cardons can reach 60 feet and the cirios aren't far behind.  The most common cacti are the organ pipe cactus, the cholla, prickly pear and ocotillo.  There are also a variety of agaves and palm trees, making this place a botanist's dream and a never-ending studio for amateur photographer's like me.