Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Wednesday Vignette, what the sun does

I don't know about your part of the world, but mine — it was nothing but talk of the impending eclipse for the last few weeks. As I planned out my blog posts for the week (cause ya, that's what I do) I thought surely I'd have some photo from the eclipse to share for my Wednesday Vignette. But then I thought better of it, why not just experience it? Besides since Portland was "only" in the 99% totality range I wouldn't want to risk frying my phone or camera trying to take a photo, there are experts for that.

So instead I'm reaching back to my October visit to the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix (still so many photos I haven't posted!). I thought it would be fun to see what the sun does to Cylindropuntia ramosissima, aka Diamond Cholla...

The sun certainly does make those long spikes shine...

So many spikes!

Okay who do I think I'm kidding?! Of course I took a couple of eclipse photos, but of the fabulous dancing crescent shapes that were everywhere a foliage shadow fell. Magic! How was the eclipse where you live?

Weather Diary, August 22: Hi 88, Low 61/ Precip 0

Wednesday Vignettes are hosted by Anna at Flutter & Hum. All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

19 comments:

  1. I would never have known to look for crescent-shaped eclipse shadows if not for seeing your shadow photo on Instagram during it, so thanks for that! It was an interesting experience.

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  2. Those spines look almost inviting in their sun drenched glory! I'm glad you captured those cool shadows. The only ones I saw were photos like yours - we didn't have them near us. Or - perhaps I should say, - I failed to see them. Booh...

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    1. Those shadows showed up where ever there was foliage for the the shadows to pass though. So I'm sure you much have had them!

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  3. Cool photos. The cholla are like Phylicas, only Dangerous!

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  4. Refreshingly cool, with greenish tint that normally means a hard thunderstorm -- but only clouds in sight the wispy white kind. Fun!

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    1. Interesting, what percentage of totality were you at?

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  5. Beautiful photos of both subjects. The eclipse was not that visible here but I did see a few good local photos, so some folks were clearly more attuned.

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    1. Yes there's certainly all range of interest isn't there?

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  6. It's worth growing chollas for the sun effects alone. I love your eclipse pic and wish I'd paid more attention to the shadows in my garden. We were only at 69% totality and interference on the part of our marine layer obscured the show further.

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    1. We were so lucky to not have any clouds that morning!

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  7. Good choice to revisit the garden in Phoenix. You took some great shots. Thanks for sharing them!

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  8. The sun does do lovely things to those spikes glow. Sounds like the eclipse was fairly similar here although we were only at 95%. The best part was those cool shadows.

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    1. Did you have glasses so you could look at the sun? It was terribly fabulous...

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  9. The spines catching the light really grabs your attention! As the spines would grab your flesh if you got too close. Definitely a plant to admire from afar, in my book. I loved the crescent shadows. I should have walked around the garden more to see if I could find more, but I think the patio and house walls probably provided the best surfaces to see them here.

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  10. You've really captured the fabulous look of sunlight through C. ramosissima. This effect is the chief reason I bought one of these chollas... but mine is persistently spineless :~/ Love the eclipse shadows!

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  11. We experienced "totality" in '79. Expected the 99.something at JC to come close but it did not. Fun, though, watching with a group of pals.

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