Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2012/02/19
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]The final group from my trip to Arizona last moth. Most are from a hike in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve on the outskirts of Scottsdale. Enjoy, and don't get stuck! My wife Katya doing a passable rendition of Lauren Bacall's "The Look": <http://www.flickr.com/photos/24844563 at N04/6898831871/lightbox> Cactus medley: <http://www.flickr.com/photos/24844563 at N04/6898902857/lightbox> How the Pod People reproduce: <http://www.flickr.com/photos/24844563 at N04/6898903207/in/photostream/> Cholla is beautiful when backlit, but it's really nasty stuff. The slightest touch causes a fist-sized piece to break off and stick to you. It appears to have jumped on you, hence the nickname "jumping cactus." The spines are barbed, so they don't come out easily. The cactus propagates to new locations by sticking to passing animals or people. See the little knobs of cactus that fell on the ground? They may take root where they fall, or hitch a ride on a hiking boot. A backlit saguaro and distant hills (with 90/3.5 VC Lanthar): <http://www.flickr.com/photos/24844563 at N04/6898902513/lightbox> Ocotillo and nearby hills: <http://www.flickr.com/photos/24844563 at N04/6898902263/lightbox> A nice vista of the saguaro forest (yeah, they call it a forest!): <http://www.flickr.com/photos/24844563 at N04/6898831635/sizes/o/in/photostream/> View the above bigger if you have a wide screen: <http://www.flickr.com/photos/24844563 at N04/6898831635/sizes/o/in/photostream/> And my cousin Stu on a less wild walk the next day <http://www.flickr.com/photos/24844563 at N04/6898903353/lightbox> M8, 35/2 Summicron IV except where noted. --Peter