The major pollinators are bats, primarily the lesser long-nosed bat, feeding on the nectar from the night-blooming flowers, which often remain open in the morning. There are a number of floral characteristics geared toward bat pollination: nocturnal opening of the flowers, nocturnal maturation of pollen, very rich nectar, position high above the ground, durable blooms that can withstand a bat's weight, and fragrance emitted at night. One additional piece of evidence is that the amino acids in the pollen appear to help sustain lactation in bats. The flowers remain open into the daylight hours and continue to produce nectar after sunrise. Doves and bees appear to be the primary daytime pollinators

5/11/2012 11:04:29 AM

What a superb capture of this wonderful flower Tammy! Your information is amazing, you did a fantastic job with this one!

5/11/2012 2:08:37 PM

WOW!! What a beauty Tammy!!

5/11/2012 2:23:55 PM

The tones, textures, detail, clarity, focus & close up are spectacular, Tammy! Fascinating info on this beautiful image & flower!

5/11/2012 4:38:11 PM

A couple more facts,they need a host plant for the first five years of their lives.In their lifetime they will produce a million seed and only one will suvive.Hi Tammy,Beautiful capture Buddy.!!!!!!

5/11/2012 6:25:52 PM

Beautiful Vegas!!!!!!!!! Such detail!!!

5/11/2012 6:25:58 PM

Outstanding and beautiful.

5/11/2012 7:16:10 PM

I've always seen these big cactus trees towards Palmdale on route to Vegas. I didn't realize they had flowers, great shot here Tammy and wonderful info you've included.

5/11/2012 7:37:51 PM

Such a beautiful and interesting cactus, Tammy.

5/11/2012 8:07:22 PM

Rules are made to be broken...but some cautionary discretion ain't a bad idea either...so sayeth Mother Feldman! :) Glad you made the climb, tho, Vegas - this beautiful flower is incredibly detailed, with great light and color - worth every rule broken on second thought! :) (Superb info also!)

5/11/2012 9:49:19 PM

What a BEAUTY! I am glad you are OK!

Be careful out there, Tammy!!!

Night bloomer...does this mean the flowers open at the first sign of dusk??? How long does each flower last...a day or several days, My Friend???

5/12/2012 5:25:14 AM

ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS Tammy, you lighting and detail are exquisite, I love everything about this wonderful image!!! <><

5/12/2012 8:25:51 AM

a cool floral!

5/12/2012 10:39:01 AM

Beautiful flower Tammy. Loved the information.

5/12/2012 6:04:07 PM

Looks like it was worth the climb, Tammy! This is just gorgeous and your info is interesting too!! All around super work!

5/12/2012 8:21:32 PM

Whoa! This is amazing! Such beauty!!! I love it Tam-tam!

Loo-loo!!!

5/12/2012 8:35:38 PM

Awesome in every way, Tammy! The detail is gorgeous, girl!!

5/12/2012 8:58:02 PM

Ditto, awesome!

5/12/2012 9:08:57 PM

As always CIty, I find as much pleasure in reading all about your subject as I do in seeing the beauty you capture. Absolutely gorgeous girl. I dont get the chance to see the cattus boom often, so for me its a treat. Incredible in all phases that make a picture stand out dear friend. Have a wonderfull day and be you.

5/13/2012 5:31:10 AM

Beautiful bloom, Tammy. That climb sounds a little dangerous to me.

5/13/2012 10:40:47 AM

WHat a cool looking flower and capture, Tammy!

5/13/2012 5:32:45 PM

Fantastic flower. Great info!

5/13/2012 6:05:12 PM

What an incredible-looking flower!!

5/13/2012 8:54:16 PM

Beautiful capture and description, Tammy!

5/14/2012 6:57:27 AM

Beautiful Image, Tammy!

5/14/2012 8:30:09 AM

OH MY OH MY OH MY...MAGNIFICENT, Vegas! k

5/14/2012 5:01:57 PM

Beautiful capture Tammy! The climb was well worth it! :)

5/14/2012 9:53:04 PM

Amazing capture, Tammy.

5/15/2012 5:06:46 PM

Looks like a sticky situation, Tammy. A most excellent capture full of details.

5/15/2012 5:30:49 PM

wonderful close up capture!

5/16/2012 4:21:31 AM

sorry, previous comment it was me with wrong login :0))

5/16/2012 4:26:20 AM

WOW, this flower is gorgeous! I don't think I have ever seen one! Perfect presentation! 8o)

5/16/2012 7:12:07 PM

Wow big and beautiful. What a lovely capture.

5/18/2012 6:46:48 PM

The climb was worth it for sure Tammy! This macro is outstanding..love it!!!

5/22/2012 7:32:27 AM

Wonderful capture, Tammy.....

5/25/2012 9:01:03 AM

Congratulations, Tammy!

7/30/2012 12:03:23 PM

Thank you everyone!! :)

7/30/2012 1:50:23 PM

Congrats again, Tammy.

7/30/2012 2:05:40 PM

Congrats on your great finalist, Tammy!!

7/30/2012 2:40:35 PM

Hi Tammy,WTG my friend.Congratulations on this beautiful finalist.LOL!!Cool cactus,never seen one before!!!!

7/30/2012 3:11:39 PM

Congratulations!

7/30/2012 3:33:57 PM

Huge congrats on Another wonderful Finalist, Tammy! Best of luck in the next round!

7/30/2012 3:35:49 PM

Congrats on a stunning finalist, Tammy.

7/30/2012 3:51:23 PM

Congratulations on this wonderful finalist Tammy! Totally gorgeous...

jo ann c.

7/30/2012 6:44:56 PM

I Always loved this one! :D WTG Girly!

-LooLoo

7/30/2012 8:56:32 PM

Fab Tammy just love it, well done again x

7/30/2012 11:54:08 PM

Huge congrats and very best luck with this beauty, Tammy!!!

7/31/2012 4:15:57 AM

Hey, Tammy! CONGRATS!!

7/31/2012 6:18:02 AM

Whoo whoo..how could they miss this?? Congrats Tammy!

7/31/2012 8:29:20 AM

Thought we would see this beauty again, Tammy CONGRATS & good luck, my friend!

7/31/2012 8:41:35 AM

Great closeup; love the details in the petals and stamens(?) Congratulations!

7/31/2012 10:15:02 AM

Congratulations girl, I love this one, beautiful!!!

(shaking finger at you ) LOLOL

8/8/2012 8:47:30 PM

CONGRATULATIONS Tammy on this wonderful finalist, WTG!! <><

10/31/2012 9:14:02 AM