Every year when the sun warms the air and the snow melts, these cacti surprise me with their ability to survive. Where I live and grow them, summers are dry with little water and temperatures are hot enough to burn you skin. But even worse, winter is harsh. First, it rains and then, without warning, it freezes. Next, the cacti are covered with layers of deep snow for two months or more. It's an amazing life cycle that most plants and many animals could never survive. But, as dead as they may seem, every year in the spring, they prevail to produce some of the most beautiful flowers of all plants.
Sometimes I just stand and look at them in the bright sun and it seems impossible for my eyes and brain to determine the color of the flowers; with many of the color combinations pushing the limits of the human visual range. These flowers are brilliant with "neon", "fluorescent" or "metallic" characteristics--colors like: chartreuse, magenta and cerise. Cacti put a lot of effort into these outstanding blooms, which sometimes last only one day.
Besides showcasing some of my best cacti photos, this Web site will hopefully give you tips on growing and photographing your own, which can found in the resource section. There are also cacti links that suggest other good Web sites for cacti information. Finally, I've added a new section that includes other photographic adventures.
Hopefully, I've captured some of the best for you to enjoy. Look for yourself by clicking below. All text and images are copyright and may not be reproduced, copied or used without my permission. You can contact me by email (without the #) at: #mbmiles@xmission.com#
-mike miles
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Last modified on February 8, 2007
