Teddy Bear Cholla Cactus is a photograph by Jerry Bokowski which was uploaded on November 6th, 2015.
Teddy Bear Cholla Cactus
While at Saguaro National Park east, located in Tucson, Arizona, I saw this mean looking Teddy Bear Cholla Cactus. The way the light shown on its... more
Title
Teddy Bear Cholla Cactus
Artist
Jerry Bokowski
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
While at Saguaro National Park east, located in Tucson, Arizona, I saw this mean looking Teddy Bear Cholla Cactus. The way the light shown on its thousands of barbed needles amazed me.
They are also referred to as Jumping Cactus because individual pods sometimes break off in winds and rain. While walking through the desert an unwary person might accidentally kick one and they often bounce up and pierce and cling to foot or ankle producing a lot of pain.
As kids, we learned to get two stout sticks, one in each hand, put them together between limb and cactus to pull them out OUCH!!! If at near home, Cooking tongs used to turn fried chicken also work well. These cacti always look at you and say GO AWAY! Some areas are so thick with them it's almost impassible to hike through. It is also interesting that an individual section can take root and grow into another separate cactus plant so they often proliferate that way!
Meanest cactus in the Sonoran desert!
Uploaded
November 6th, 2015
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Comments (14)
Jane M Dahl
The lighting in this is just gorgeous. What a beautiful Cholla. They may have an attitude, but they are still beautiful! L/F Featured in American Desert Southwest.
Lucinda Walter
Congratulations! Your beautiful work is featured in the Beauty of Arizona group l/f
Jerry Bokowski replied:
Thank you very much, Lucinda. I always appreciate the feature as well as your fav and like, too !
Janet Marie
Congratulations, Jerry for the HOMEPAGE FEATURE in John's Art Group, "Images That Excite You!" This such a stunning shot of a favorite place of ours, Saguaro National Park. There is such a wonderful collection of these beautiful Teddy Bear Cholla Cactus. Named for its furry "cuddly" appearance but is actually a densely spined plant. Both it and chain-fruit cholla are called jumping cholla cactus. The Teddy Bear produces yellow-greenish flowers and Chain-fruit produces small bright pink flowers. What gets dropped on the ground can easily attach to one's shoe (a danger if wearing open shoes, and I would know, not fun). I love the shimmering needles in the Autumn sunlight. Well done! LF FB
Jerry Bokowski replied:
Thank you dearest Janet. Going to the beautiful places in our own “back yard” of Southern Arizona with you is ones of life’s greatest pleasures as we seek wonderful photo ops, sunsets, monsoon storms & clouds, and cacti/ Spring wildflowers! Sharing with you these times and places are the best!
Chance Kafka
Very nice, textural shot and amusing description, Jerry - featured in Tucson and Southern Arizona!
John M Bailey
Congratulations on your feature in the Fine Art America Group "Images That Excite You!"
Elaine Mikkelstrup
Oh wow, that looks deceptively soft. I am guessing it is not. Great capture of this unusual plant l/f
Jerry Bokowski replied:
Elaine. Somehow I missed seeing this wonderful comment by you. A belated thank you for stopping by my gallery. They are deceptively soft looking, hence their name. But are just the opposite. I am glad you like this and I appreciate you choosing this as one of your favorites too.
Deb Halloran
Jerry, What a great capture of this "mean" Teddy Bear Cholla Cactus. Fantastic light and detail...nicely done. v/f
Linda Howes
I like your mean cactus! If I didn't know any better, I would almost think it looks soft. Glad I don't have to worry about them here! Would hate to stumble upon one! Very cool cactus and capture! l/f
Jerry Bokowski replied:
Thanks, Linda. As a kid I had a cousin visit from Nebraska. He though his leather boots would protect him and proceeded to stomp on some until they penetrated through and pierced his foot. I told him, Don't mess with these and he learned the hard way!
Beverly Canterbury
Great capture and thanks for the info! L/F
Jerry Bokowski replied:
Thanks Beverly! I was 6 years old when my Grandfather first taught me about these!
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