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Saguaro

© Tammy Espino

Saguaro

Uploaded: May 11, 2012 10:59:15

Description

Saguaro
The saguaro ( /səˈwɑroʊ/; scientific name Carnegiea gigantea) is a large, tree-sized cactus species in the monotypic genus Carnegiea, which can grow to be over 50 feet tall. It is native to the Sonoran Desert in the U.S. state of Arizona, the Mexican state of Sonora, and the Whipple Mountains and Imperial County areas of California. The saguaro blossom is the State Wildflower of Arizona.
I had to do some climbing to get near the top of this one .My bad going where it says not to!

Exif: F Number: 4, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/500 seconds, Flash: did not fire, auto mode, ISO: 80, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 7.40 mm, Model: Canon PowerShot G9

Comments

Tammy Espino May 11, 2012

The night blooming white and yellow flowers appear April through June and the sweet, ruby-colored fruit matures by late June. Saguaro flowers are self incompatible thus require cross pollination. Large quantities of pollen are required for complete pollination as there are numerous ovules. A well-pollinated fruit will contain several thousand tiny seeds.

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
#1462407

John Connolly May 11, 2012

What a superb capture of this wonderful flower Tammy! Your information is amazing, you did a fantastic job with this one! #10133939

Julianne Bradford May 11, 2012

WOW!! What a beauty Tammy!! #10133977

Patrick Rouzes level-classic May 11, 2012

The tones, textures, detail, clarity, focus & close up are spectacular, Tammy! Fascinating info on this beautiful image & flower! #10134217

Robert R. Goodman May 11, 2012

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.!!!!!! #10134336

Gina Cormier May 11, 2012

Beautiful Vegas!!!!!!!!! Such detail!!! #10134337

Roxanne M. Bubar May 11, 2012

Outstanding and beautiful. #10134378

Reynaldo D. Reyes level-classic May 11, 2012

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. #10134405

Tammy M. Anderson level-deluxe May 11, 2012

Such a beautiful and interesting cactus, Tammy. #10134429

Val Feldman level-deluxe May 11, 2012

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!) #10134467

Lorraine A. Cook May 12, 2012

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??? #10134614

Nancy L. Green level-classic May 12, 2012

ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS Tammy, you lighting and detail are exquisite, I love everything about this wonderful image!!! <>< #10134740

Tiia Vissak May 12, 2012

a cool floral! #10134827

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic May 12, 2012

Beautiful flower Tammy. Loved the information. #10135034

Terry Cervi level-deluxe May 12, 2012

Looks like it was worth the climb, Tammy! This is just gorgeous and your info is interesting too!! All around super work! #10135202

Laura E. Swan level-classic May 12, 2012

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

Loo-loo!!! #10135227

Ellen Hodges May 12, 2012

Awesome in every way, Tammy! The detail is gorgeous, girl!! #10135251

Liz blahh May 12, 2012

Ditto, awesome! #10135267

frank w. degenhardt May 13, 2012

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. #10135492

Mitch Spence level-classic May 13, 2012

Beautiful bloom, Tammy. That climb sounds a little dangerous to me. #10135703

Barbara Waldoch May 13, 2012

WHat a cool looking flower and capture, Tammy! #10135977

Carol L. Fowler May 13, 2012

What an incredible-looking flower!! #10136130

Wm Nosal May 14, 2012

Beautiful Image, Tammy! #10136625

Kitty R. Rodehorst-Hanna May 14, 2012

OH MY OH MY OH MY...MAGNIFICENT, Vegas! k #10137288

Dianne Brin level-classic May 14, 2012

Beautiful capture Tammy! The climb was well worth it! :) #10137582

Leslie McLain level-classic May 15, 2012

Amazing capture, Tammy. #10138454

Karen Slagle May 15, 2012

Looks like a sticky situation, Tammy. A most excellent capture full of details. #10138462

May 16, 2012

wonderful close up capture! #10138882

Stefania Barbier level-classic May 16, 2012

sorry, previous comment it was me with wrong login :0)) #10138895

Nancyj E. Hovey level-classic May 16, 2012

WOW, this flower is gorgeous! I don't think I have ever seen one! Perfect presentation! 8o) #10139805

Heather Loewenhardt level-classic May 18, 2012

Wow big and beautiful. What a lovely capture. #10141868

Boyd L. Alexander May 22, 2012

The climb was worth it for sure Tammy! This macro is outstanding..love it!!! #10145730

Patricia A. Casey level-deluxe May 25, 2012

Wonderful capture, Tammy..... #10149557

Wm Nosal July 30, 2012

Congratulations, Tammy! #10250611

Tammy Espino July 30, 2012

Thank you everyone!! :) #10251180

Tammy M. Anderson level-deluxe July 30, 2012

Congrats again, Tammy. #10251340

Dianne Brin level-classic July 30, 2012

Congrats on your great finalist, Tammy!! #10251724

Robert R. Goodman July 30, 2012

Hi Tammy,WTG my friend.Congratulations on this beautiful finalist.LOL!!Cool cactus,never seen one before!!!! #10251926

Stefania Barbier level-classic July 30, 2012

Congratulations! #10252029

Kathy Salerni level-classic July 30, 2012

Huge congrats on Another wonderful Finalist, Tammy! Best of luck in the next round! #10252041

Leslie McLain level-classic July 30, 2012

Congrats on a stunning finalist, Tammy. #10252162

JO ANN CLEVELAND July 30, 2012

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

jo ann c.

#10253063

Laura E. Swan level-classic July 30, 2012

I Always loved this one! :D WTG Girly!

-LooLoo #10253620

Colette Ms Messinger level-classic July 30, 2012

Fab Tammy just love it, well done again x #10253849

Ellen Hodges July 31, 2012

Huge congrats and very best luck with this beauty, Tammy!!! #10254148

Val Feldman level-deluxe July 31, 2012

Hey, Tammy! CONGRATS!! #10254369

Julianne Bradford July 31, 2012

Whoo whoo..how could they miss this?? Congrats Tammy! #10254713

Patrick Rouzes level-classic July 31, 2012

Thought we would see this beauty again, Tammy CONGRATS & good luck, my friend!
#10254767

Chris Budny level-deluxe July 31, 2012

Great closeup; love the details in the petals and stamens(?) Congratulations! #10255107

Nancy (Peaches) Harker August 08, 2012

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

(shaking finger at you ) LOLOL #10268351

Nancy L. Green level-classic October 31, 2012

CONGRATULATIONS Tammy on this wonderful finalist, WTG!! <>< #10397300

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