Nora Mays Bowers is a writer and nature photographer. She likes being in nature and looking at birds, wildlife, and plants. Long ago, she earned a Master of Science degree in Ecology from the University of Arizona. She is the primary author of Wildflowers of Arizona, Wildflowers of the Carolinas, Wildflowers of Texas, Cactus of Texas, Cactus of the Southwest, and Kaufman Focus Guides: Mammals of North America. Most of the photographs in all of these guides were taken by her and her husband, Rick Bowers.

Rick Bowers began birding at age 10 while living on Ft. Huachuca, Arizona. In less than a year he was leading birders to the specialty birds of southeastern Arizona. During high school and college, he led individuals and groups on tours in southeastern Arizona. For 16 years after college Rick led birdwatching tours for Victor Emanuel Nature Tours. Now when not working on books or photography, Rick leads photography and birding tours around the world through his company, Bowers Birding & Photo Safaris.

Naturalist, wildlife photographer, and writer Stan Tekiela is the author of more than 190 field guides, nature books, children’s books, and playing cards, presenting many species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, trees, wildflowers, and cacti in the United States. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural History from the University of Minnesota and as an active professional naturalist for more than 30 years, Stan studies and photographs wildlife throughout the United States and Canada. He has received various national and regional awards for his books and photographs. Also a well-known columnist and radio personality, his syndicated column appears in more than 25 newspapers and his wildlife programs are broadcast on a number of Midwest radio stations.

Introduction

Sample Pages

The Cacti

• Pincushion
• Pineapple-Beehive
• Hedgehog
• Barrel
• Prickly Pear
• Cholla
• Cereus
• Organ Pipe
• Senita
• Saguaro

Cactus-like Species

Glossary

Checklist/Index

Photo Credits

About the Authors

Rulers