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Saguaro Spines


Saguaro Spines
Photo Information
Copyright: SC Davidson (azleader) Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 40 W: 0 N: 77] (474)
Genre: Places
Medium: Black & White
Date Taken: 2005-01-07
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC-F717, 58mm Polarizer
Exposure: f/4.5, 1/1000 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-11-10 11:58
Viewed: 554
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 33
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Saguaro Cactus: Carnegiea gigantea

Saguaro cacti can live to be over 200 years old. They grow from tiny seeds to behemoths that can be over 60 feet (18 meters) tall.

There are several interesting aspects of the life cycle of a saguaro visible in this image.

Youth:
It is a little hard to see but there are a couple armless saguaros growing out of a mesquite bush on the right side of this image on the horizon. Those two are just kids. Saguaros don't develope arms until they are about 70 years old.

Suguaros grow from tiny seeds and need to be protected from direct sunlight in order to survive to maturity. Most saguaros grow in the shade of bushes like you see here. As they grow bigger they eventually take over the area and kill the plant that protected them at birth. You can see how the bush is being pushed aside here as the cacti take over.

Middle Age:
Near the middle is a mature saguaro that has developed arms so is more that 70 years old. You can see that the covering plant is completely gone now. Saguaros spend most of their lives at this stage. That is why saguaros with arms standing alone are our most common view of them.

Death:
In the foreground you can see the dead internal remains of a saguaro. In life the woody spines support the living cactus. They are surrounded by a sponge-like pulp that holds water that sustains the cactus during long dry spells.

At the bottom you can see the decaying remains of the cacti's outer covering. The dark angled piece on the right side of the frame is a fallen spine in shadow.

Often when you see a dead saguaro upright like this one it is because it was struck by lightning and killed. Getting struck by lightning is not uncommon for a saguaro because they act as lightning rods. They normally tend to topple on their sides when they die of natural causes because they have a very shallow root system.

NOTE:
A color version of this image is on TrekNature:
Color Version on TrekNature
tty007, VeeJayCee, xvs1100, CollinMcKenzie, simonfranco, ls_photography, aros, chakko, tlacoyoweb has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To machinelove: Comment on image "Saguaro Spines"azleader 1 11-10 16:33
To VeeJayCee: Thanks for comment on my image "Saguaro Spineazleader 1 11-10 16:20
To chakko: Saguaro Cactusazleader 1 11-10 16:16
To Wasin: Thanks for comment on image "Saguaro Spines"azleader 1 11-10 16:14
To tty007: Saguaro Spines...azleader 1 11-10 16:05
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Critiques [Translate]

Very nice landscape, lots of element that makes it very interesting! Great B&W. crispy details, would have love to see this shot at F16

  • Great 
  • Wasin Silver Star Critiquer [C: 27 W: 0 N: 4] (154)
  • [2007-11-10 12:53]
  • [+]

Hello:)
I love photos in B&W:)This is really nice:)
Excellent POV:)
Bravo:)
Regards Pawel:)

very nice shot, I like the symbol of Arizona, cactus. We do not have this cactus in New Mexico, they are ugly here :) anyway nice photo... TFS
Hakan

Sharp detail. Well composed and super tonality. Excellent work SC. Unlike your first commenter I think the focal length and aperture is perfect and concentrates the viewer's attention just where it should be.
Vic.

Hi SC,

Masterful piece of work.

I love the compo and exposure.

Good choice of B&W and wonderful grey spectrum.

TFS

D

Gorgeous image with lots of visual interest. The verticles in the background look a little tilted, but that may just be how it really was :) Great work, congratulations.

Perfect!!!!!!!!!

Wow.

This is really amazing. It sort of reminds me of the unit that I studied last year: Transcendentalism. Fantastic black and white tones, sharpness, and contrast.
Very well taken, and great note!!
Have a good one.

Leanne

I think what intruiges me the most is the way all of the lines are going in different directions giving this a optical illusion type look. The subject was chosen wisely and the sky is perfect for the shot. I love the perfect contrast you have in this B&W.

Great photo,

Darren

Hi ..great shot with a wonderful composition and great contrast and tones. Nice work.

Roger

  • Great 
  • Suerte Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 527 W: 64 N: 255] (3254)
  • [2007-11-11 10:20]

wonerful bw compo,
well done

  • Great 
  • aros Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 137 W: 13 N: 140] (717)
  • [2007-11-11 13:46]

Wonderful B+W conversion love the dark sky and the contrast and tonality in the subject matter in the foreground. After having studied both versions, I prefer the B+W

  • Great 
  • Ruut Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 276 W: 8 N: 33] (1261)
  • [2007-11-12 4:57]

Hi,
Wonderful point of view and good choice for B&W! Like he way you put the branches off-centered. Well done.
Ruut

Magnificent shot!!!
Magnificent B&W!!!!
Superb place.

Steph.

  • Great 
  • tb808 Silver Star Critiquer [C: 10 W: 0 N: 0] (832)
  • [2007-12-09 11:28]

Awesome mood. Great sharpness and BW tone.

  • Great 
  • kitka Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 228 W: 73 N: 215] (2036)
  • [2007-12-13 15:13]

Perfect study of cactus trunk decay... Beautiful landscape in Arizona. I miss it a lot.
Katerina

The Ultimate!
Dennis

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