Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Dinosaur or Fuzzy Cactus?

You know how I love my macro.  Here is a close-up of a fuzzy cactus.  

It is actually called a Astrophytum Myriostigma and is a species originating from Mexico.  The dense white scales that cover the cactus skin are actually an effective sunscreen.  They can produce a satiny yellow flower.

I am caring for one of these cactuses in my backyard and I am anxious for the first bloom.  I could not resist touching this cactus.  I am happy to report that it is soft and furry with no spines to catch in my skin.  Growing up in the desert in Arizona, I can't help but touch and feel cactus to see if they are sharp, soft, etc.  Cacti have such a variety of textures.

19 comments:

Trojan Gordon said...

that is a really great picture and i love your interpretation of how it looks and feels. Please display more pictures of this interesting cactus! keep up the good work.
Troj.

Anonymous said...

Julie! thanks for comment! It's especially valuable from such a good photographer like you.
I like your macro. And 6 Mar article was very nice -finger-licking good :)!
Irina

brattcat said...

Really interesting photo, Julie. And also interesting that your inclination is to touch. I, too, like to know the texture of things, even though I sometimes regret that curiosity. I wonder if there is a correlation between your love of the macro lens and your fascination with touch/texture.

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

Brattcat,
To follow up on your comment, I think that the only correlation between a tendency to touch cacti must be the effects upon the brain of growing up in the desert heat. :-)

A friend in Arizona told me of a young girl from back East who came to Arizona and upon seeing a sagauro cactus thought it was so cute that she walked up to it and gave it a hug, ignoring the spikes. She became stuck to it and had to be slowly and painfully extricated.

VP said...

That's a Bishop's Cap, but I wouldn't have recognized it from your wonderfully deceptive macro.
I'll check mine, but last time I saw it wasn't very healty.
Great shot, I like macro too, but I don't touch cacti, bad memories.

Jim Klenke said...

Neat macro, I would have guessed dinosaur statue.

Sharon said...

It does look like a dinosaur. I hope you share a photo of the flowers when this one blooms.

Lowell said...

Yes, so many cacti. I remember when we first moved to Arizona...I had thought all cacti were the same...

And I always thought Fuzzy Wuzzy waz a bear...now you're telling me he's a cactus!

Have a great day!

Lois said...

Love the close-up! I had no idea a cactus could be soft like that.

Judy said...

I don't think I've seen one of these...very interesting. Catching up with blogs today since I've been out of town. The spa looks inviting!

Olivier said...

en effet, cela ressemble a un squelette de dinosaure ;o)
in effect, it resembles has a skeleton of dinosaur ;o)

Anonymous said...

Hi Julie!

You're really done some traveling - That's great! I just haven't had the opportunity to travel, though, I'd love to!
Thanks so much for stopping by & commenting on my page! I plan to go back this spring to take more pics of the Chihuly blown glass @ Shaw's Garden & the beautiful flowers!!!

Unknown said...

Fantastic! I don't have this one! :-)
Many mammillarias are blooming now, I am posting a series on my 'nature at home' blog.

Clueless in Boston said...

I would have guessed it was a closeup of a dinosaur statue. How many varieties of cacti are there?

Ash said...

Interesting texture....though it looks a little creepy!

Steve Buser said...

Interesting shot. Be sure to post that first bloom when it comes.

Joy said...

I don't know why, but this photo sent shivers down my spine! Odd. I love macro shots, too!

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gogouci said...

Your macro looks microscopic. Very interesting perspective and textures.

stromsjo said...

Do you ever water the one in the back yard? I guess it doesn't want a lot of water.

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