Tucson Night Blooming Cereus

calendar June 7, 2008

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Night Blooming Cereus

One night this past week I had the opportunity to photograph a Night Blooming Cereus cactus. Each bud only blooms for one night. They start to open just before sunset. The cactus I was photographing had 3 opening the same night and a single bloom the following night. It is only the third or forth time this cactus has bloomed in 17 years.

There is a bloom night at Tohono Chul Park in June when admission is free. You can bring your camera and photograph these amazing flowers that night. There is no set date for this, it depends on the cactus. You have to watch the news and papers for the set night.

If you have off camera flash it will allow you to put the light behind the flowers to get the light burst effect. A bright flashlight will work, but it might cast a yellow color over your images especially if you are using the on camera flash also.

Whatever camera you have you will get some great shots of this rare night blooming cactus.

You can see more images of the Night Blooming Cereus taken that night on my account at JPGmag.com

By Dave Smith in Tucson Living

9 Responses to “Tucson Night Blooming Cereus”

  1. Jim Morris Says:
    June 10th, 2008 at 5:38 am

    Very nice back lighting.

  2. Dave Smith Says:
    June 10th, 2008 at 6:34 am

    Jim

    Thanks, that means a lot coming from you. Take enough pictures swinging the strobe everywhere finally one should look at least decent. : )

  3. Teresa Boardman Says:
    June 10th, 2008 at 9:24 am

    I absolutely love this photo

  4. Dave Smith Says:
    June 11th, 2008 at 7:42 pm

    T

    Thank you, I loved photographing this cactus and bloom.

  5. Rita Says:
    June 20th, 2008 at 12:00 am

    WOW! I Love the photo. Great job!

  6. Dave Smith Says:
    June 20th, 2008 at 6:46 am

    Rita,

    Thank you, it was a fun night to spend with my son and a cactus : )

  7. Linda Bray Says:
    January 10th, 2009 at 6:05 pm

    wonderful photo. Is there any chance you would allow me to use it as a reference for a painting? You can see my work on my site.
    Thanks. Linda

  8. Dave Smith Says:
    January 10th, 2009 at 6:18 pm

    Linda,

    Thank you. Yes you have permission. Thank you for asking.

    Dave

  9. Jeff Says:
    April 16th, 2009 at 3:30 pm

    Excellent image. My wife has been to the Tea Room at Tohono. Beautiful area.

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