after the storm

after the storm
Welcome autumn!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

queen of the night...


Every year about this time, my mother and I are on night blooming cereus watch. This beautiful cactus is in her yard and this year is covered with more than 30 blossoms. Mom checks it every night to see if it will open. I got the call and was there by 6:00 a.m.




For most of the year, this looks like a stick with thorns. There is nothing remarkable about it. And then, for just one night, it blooms. The flowers fade as they are hit by the morning sun. For a photographer, the window of opportunity is small, but always worth it...




top photo: 1/160, f/9, ISO400, 180mm
bottom photo: 1/320, f/9, ISO400, 180mm

2 comments:

Sarah said...

Amazing and totally beautiful! ~ Sarah

Johanna Gehrlein said...

Barbara, thank you so much for the link to this interesting post. I think, this is also a Queen of Night because it is a huge family. When you look at wikipedia to the site Moonlight Cacti, you will find a lot of specimen which are all bloom just for one night with quite similar flowers. Isn't it amazing what nature created. I wish you that your cut will flower soon. If it would be allowed to send you cutting to USA, I surely would do.
Greetings, Johanna