Flamboyant cactus
Jun 1, 2013 12:13:18 #
Here in the Sonoran Desert, we "own" the universal symbol for desert, the saguaro (sa-hua'-ro). But its bloom is waxy, white, and boring. On the other hand, these are a bit closer to the ground, easier to photograph, and far more flamboyant.
Jun 1, 2013 12:18:29 #
Jun 1, 2013 12:55:44 #
Hi Dan. Beautiful pictures. How about sharing your technique with us? I'm also very interested in cactus flowers. I found this one on a hike in northern Nevada. Do you know what kind it is? The colors are pretty accurate... Very pale yellow-green. I took the picture with my little Canon SX50 in open shade.
Yellow-green cactus flowers
Jun 1, 2013 13:22:52 #
Indeed, these are amazing plants. My technique? Point camera, press button on top, throw at computer, post. I have a Nikon D5000 with a 24-85 afs lens which I mainly use in aperture-priority mode. These were done this morning with the camera on a tripod.
Here are some from my field area in northwestern Sonora made in March of 2010 just before I bought my D5K. The rocks, mostly not shown, are black basalts but, in the spring of wet years, the desert goes wild.
Here are some from my field area in northwestern Sonora made in March of 2010 just before I bought my D5K. The rocks, mostly not shown, are black basalts but, in the spring of wet years, the desert goes wild.
Jun 1, 2013 13:30:08 #
Love the pictures. I have an epiphyllum orchid cactus (red). It is a pot plant that grows on the porch of my husband's garden shed.
Garden Shed Porch Pot
Close up of epiphyllum orchid cactus
Jun 1, 2013 17:31:51 #
Nice shots of top Echinopsis sp. next Opuntia or relative, next possibly Mammillaria grahamii, next Echinocereus sp.
Nice shots ex collector.
Nice shots ex collector.
Jun 1, 2013 19:40:04 #
Thanks for the names. Being a scientist, I like to know what thing are called. As a geologist, I often find the plants to be in the way. But, I do like the flowers.
Jun 1, 2013 19:47:32 #
Macromad... Thanks for your reply, can you provide the common names to go with these? The botanical names are all Greek to me... Or is it Latin? Do you have cactus Down Under?
Orchid cactus? I didn't know there was such a beautiful thing. Where do they come from? I haven't seen anything like this during my hikes.
Dan, those are amazing pictures. You should do a tutorial about photographing (and post-production?) of botanical subjects. I'll sign up!
Orchid cactus? I didn't know there was such a beautiful thing. Where do they come from? I haven't seen anything like this during my hikes.
Dan, those are amazing pictures. You should do a tutorial about photographing (and post-production?) of botanical subjects. I'll sign up!
Jun 1, 2013 19:59:29 #
Jun 1, 2013 20:34:13 #
Rich1; if you do not hike in the desert, you are unlikely to see cactus flowers like these. I go out looking for rocks and the way they are put together and I find the most amazing flowers but only in the spring in wet years. They are few and far between.
The three images at the start of this post were made just after sunrise this morning. I found the plants Thursday in front of my Tucson condo on my way to the barber and by the time I got back to get my camera, the other plant was beginning to dry and the pictures were unsatisfying. This plant was buds.
I watched it all day yesterday and this morning it was out. By noon, at 103 F, it was fading. I really didn't do anything special to these photos. I was working at the close limit of the 24-85 lens, moving the tripod when I was too close to focus and the shutter wouldn't release. Except for reducing the size, I did no post-processing. I like luck.
The three images at the start of this post were made just after sunrise this morning. I found the plants Thursday in front of my Tucson condo on my way to the barber and by the time I got back to get my camera, the other plant was beginning to dry and the pictures were unsatisfying. This plant was buds.
I watched it all day yesterday and this morning it was out. By noon, at 103 F, it was fading. I really didn't do anything special to these photos. I was working at the close limit of the 24-85 lens, moving the tripod when I was too close to focus and the shutter wouldn't release. Except for reducing the size, I did no post-processing. I like luck.
Jun 1, 2013 21:01:41 #
Luck is good. Skill is much harder to come by! I suspect you are luckier than most. Yes,opportunity meeting the prepared mind!
Jun 1, 2013 23:09:09 #
Echinocereus are commonly known as hedgehog cactus due to the spines on thee majority, Epiphlums maily the hybrids are known as orchid cactus. The others I don't know the common names. Until nearly a year ago I had a collection of about 600 different cacti down here many were ground planted out doors, back in the u.k. many years ago I had about 2500. search my previuos posts and you will find some good shots.
Jun 1, 2013 23:21:35 #
Thanks again. Cacti are not found naturally in New Zealand, correct? 2500! Were you in charge of a city botanical garden? They must have taken up a large amount of real estate. By the way, I love New Zealand. I spent so much time there I considered it my second home. Enjoyed diving the Knights.
Jun 1, 2013 23:36:07 #
You referred to your 'field area'. Are you a state geologist? I was with the University Medical Center for several years. We loved Tucson and photographing the hummingbirds in Madera and Ramsey Canyon.
Jun 1, 2013 23:44:13 #
hi again,no I am a trained horticulturalist 40+ years and got hooked. collection in both cases were at home.
Rich1 wrote:
Thanks again. Cacti are not found naturally in New Zealand, correct? 2500! Were you in charge of a city botanical garden? They must have taken up a large amount of real estate. By the way, I love New Zealand. I spent so much time there I considered it my second home. Enjoyed diving the Knights.
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