Day 94: Hidden Beauty
This is Cylindropuntia fulgida, better known as Jumping Cholla. It’s a nasty cactus and it gets the name “jumping” cholla because the slightest brush can find you with cactus needles on your clothes…or worse. But even the nastiest cactus in the desert has pretty blossoms on it. These are the buds. And I promise I will photograph the blooms when they open.
Because we got so much rain this winter, our cacti are covered in even more buds than usual at this time of year that are just ready to burst into bloom. Hopefully, you won’t get too sick of my cactus pictures as my flower garden fades out for the summer and the cacti take over my attention. :)
Taken April 3, 2008.
April 4th, 2008 at 9:54 am
What a beautiful close up shot! I love the details visible in that central bud, surrounded by all those spiky shapes and needles.
A.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Fantastic macro.
April 4th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
this is an incredible image. I just love the sharp focus and blurring around the edges. I works so well with the shape of the bloom.
April 5th, 2008 at 10:56 am
what a fascinating plant and a beautiful macro shot.
April 5th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Your pictures of flowers are gorgeous! The year I spent in Arizona, I successfully avoid the needles, but I did enjoy the blooms.
April 9th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
gorgeous - it looks like a bloom itself - can’t wait to see the mature one.
April 26th, 2008 at 12:57 am
[...] three weeks ago, I showed you this. I’ve been trying to get a good shot of the blossom, but I keep missing them by a day. Today, [...]