A Desert Jewel is a photograph by Douglas Taylor which was uploaded on July 10th, 2023.
A Desert Jewel
The delicious but diminutive pink to magenta flower of the vicious jumping cholla. This delightful little blossom measures barely an inch (25mm)... more
Title
A Desert Jewel
Artist
Douglas Taylor
Medium
Photograph - Fine Art Digital Photography
Description
The delicious but diminutive pink to magenta flower of the vicious "jumping" cholla. This delightful little blossom measures barely an inch (25mm) across, and is only open at the end of the hottest days of summer.
The "jumping" cholla, also known as Chainfruit Cholla (Cylindroputia fulgida) is only native to the Sonoran Desert surrounding Tucson, Arizona and is covered by a dense thicket of needle-sharp, barbed spines which detract from its wonderful flower. This tiny jewel needed its own setting, so I intentionally burned in the distracting background to a deep black so the eye can appreciate the wonder of this flower without distraction.
Oddly, this beautiful flower and the fruit that follows is not the cholla's typical means of reproduction. The hard fruit will hang on the chainfruit colla for many years, like a bunch of grapes, and rarely eaten by desert critters who would then disperse the seeds. Instead, it replicates itself by shedding segments that come in contact with an animal passing by. Once the segment drops off, it may take root where it fell, eventually growing into a replica of the original.
Uploaded
July 10th, 2023
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Comments (13)
Holly April Harris
I am very pleased to feature your lovely photo in ‘Serenity Inspiring Photography!’ Please add it to the “2023 Third Quarter FEATURED IMAGES Gallery” thread in the discussions area to record and exhibit your image amongst the best in the group. Thank you! 7/12/23
Douglas Taylor replied:
Holly! Thank you for featuring my photograph in this superb art group! I am honored, as I appreciate your wonderful support for my photography.
Jane M Dahl
Beautiful shade of pink. I like the yellow contrast and pattern too. Featured in American Desert Southwest.
Douglas Taylor replied:
Thank you, Jane! I am honored you have chosen to feature this photograph, and I will ALWAYS appreciate your wonderful support.
Randy Rosenberger
Congratulations for having this great piece of artwork chosen to be featured in our Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery group. I am proud to be able to support and promote all artists within our group. I very much enjoyed viewing the masterfully done piece from you portfolio to show off to all other artists and to attract perspective buyers. Thanks for sharing your beautiful artwork with all FAA members. Well worthy of this recognition.
Douglas Taylor replied:
Thank you, Randy! I am honored by your featuring my photography in this superb art group.
Alinna Lee
Beautiful! Thanks for the detail description. I enjoy reading about the fascinating facts. Awesome find and wonderful photo work, Douglas. Wildflowers are often hard to do well. Thanks for sharing.
Douglas Taylor replied:
Alinna! Thank you for your kind compliments about both my photograph and the words of my description. Your praise makes my heart sing!
Sabina Pamfili
what an absolutely fantastic story, Douglas. My curiousity got the better of me and I finished reading to the end. Just a question: if a human touches the spikes, or even a dog, would it hurt? I love also how you presented this jewel. Backgrounds are a pain but they really do distract from what you want to show. And yet........a lot of these pictures retain all the surrounding growth.
Douglas Taylor replied:
Thank you for your wonderful words, Sabina! I am glad you like this presentation. And yes, you will know the moment one of these cacti have snagged you for they can be quite painful.
Loredana Gallo Migliorini
Interesting caption for a beautiful thorny little flower. Wonderful and razor sharp detailed shot Douglas! Fl Lore
Douglas Taylor replied:
Lore! Thank you so much for your kind compliments about both my photograph and the description accompanying it! Your wonderful words are most appreciated by this man.
VIVA Anderson
SO very beautiful, this tiny treasure, Douglas. Highest compliments: she looks wonderful on black. !! Great photography, as always. And how interesting her divine way of furthering her specie!! Lovely tribute to Nature!! Big FAV...... VIVA
Douglas Taylor replied:
Thank you for your kind compliments, VIVA! But I must say, that a painful encounter with this plant is not a pleasant, nor divine experience. Unless you are into this sort of ad hoc acupuncture.
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