Monday, April 6, 2015

Cactus Bloom


I took a long walk at the Desert Botanical Garden early Easter morning hoping to catch a few blooms on the night blooming cactus.  I wasn't alone on my hunt.  I went at 7:00 AM when the garden is open to members only but at 7:00 AM there was already aline of members waiting to get in.  And, all of them were carrying a variety of camera gear.   I only found two blooms on the variety of cactus that bloom at night but, they were spectacular.



Here is another photographer checking her cell phone light meter app before swinging out the big camera for a few shots of this beauty.












Here is the same bloom from another angle and with a couple of bees enjoying its bounty.



About a half hour later I returned to the white bloom again and I could easily see that it was beginning to close up.  By noon, it will be closed and shriveled.  You only get one opportunity to catch these beauties.  

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful... very professional!

Mo said...

You are so good at these shots

Kate said...

It is a lovely way to celebrate Easter and the natural world, Kudos for your photographic talent and motivation.

Kathy said...

Your cactus bloom shots are just stellar!

Birdman said...

Near danger(pricks), there is always beauty lurking.

Judy said...

Well worth getting up early to get a photo of that beauty.

RedPat said...

Fleeting beauty, Sharon!

Julie Ferguson said...

Gorgeous!

Lowell said...

You are a real photographer. I get up early to get to the golf course at 7 but to photograph flowers? :)

Beautiful job, though, and I'll bet you didn't even need to check the light meter.

I'd like to hear some of your ghostly stories!

cieldequimper said...

Gosh that's serious business there but the flower is so stunning that I suppose it's worth it! Your photos are marvellous!

Randy said...

Magnificient.

Jack said...

Sharon, your first image is simply perfect.

Halcyon said...

That's the way to get a perfect shot!

Unknown said...

Not an Echinopsis but also outstanding!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Cacti flowers are so lush and exotic Sharon, a real beauty here.

William Kendall said...

Very pretty!