I have spent much of my life in the desert southwest and near desert plants. They have become part of my life and I somewhat take them for granted. Desert plants, like this Tree Cholla, are not only beautiful but they have adapted to the environment and have survived and thrived for millennia. They also have a rich history. About 80% of all Chihuahuan desert native plants were used in some manner by past American cultures.
Many people use desert plants to landscape their yards. Xeriscaping is a type of gardening that is gaining momentum across the Desert Southwest. Many yards have grass that requires frequent watering. Xeriscaping requires only water that occurs naturally. If you live in the southwest, having a yard full of native desert plants will blend in with the natural surroundings and attract native wildlife such as hummingbirds. Most importantly, xeriscaping conserves water.
This image was taken with my Canon EOS 5D Mark III using my Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens. The camera was set on Manual mode with the aperture set at f/5, shutter speed at 1/2000th of a second and the ISO set at 320. This is a single image processed in Lightroom. I could have reduced the shutter speed and increased the aperture to get a bit more depth of field. I didn’t use my depth of field calculator and should have.
You can access the profile for this plant by clicking here. Please use the section below to post your comments, questions or suggestions.
© 2016 T. Kahler Photography
Great color. I agree with your take though. I would have liked to see more of the plant in the foreground. I do like this series. Picking some great subjects.
Thanks Lucas. Photography is a never-ending learning experience.