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Echinocactus grusonii (Golden Barrel Cactus) - Endangered by Over-collection
Echinocactus grusonii (Golden Barrel Cactus) - Endangered by Over-collection
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Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: National Geographic (Advanced Editing I)
Camera: Olympus C-730UZ
Location: Garfield Conservatory, Chicago, IL
Date: Jan 17, 2004
Aperture: f4.8
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/15
Galleries: Nature, Floral
Date Uploaded: Jan 18, 2004

Welcome to the world of arid plants. This is the Echinocactus grusonii, commonly known as the Golden Barrel Cactus that is distinguished by a large round or barrel shaped stem covered with menacing spikes with a tuft of yellow 'hair' on top. This is native of Central Mexico and flowers during the summer. Echinocactus is derived from the Greek word, echinos, meaning hedgehog. This particular species is named after herman Gruson, a cactus enthusiast. It can grow to around 18 inches in diameter and can reach 2-3 feet tall. When they grow, they lean toward the Southwest, making them act as a natural compass in the desert. Unfortunately, the golden barrel cactus has been over-collected to the point of endangering their survival in the wild.

Statistics
Place: 74 out of 124
Avg (all users): 5.6667
Avg (commenters): 6.4167
Avg (participants): 5.3500
Avg (non-participants): 5.8661
Views since voting: 3253
Votes: 207
Comments: 13
Favorites: 0


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AuthorThread
01/28/2004 04:59:16 PM
If you want to fix this image even though you have the blue I would say mask the back ground out and then change the color saturation to a percentage that is a lot less so the cactus stands out again. I mean you have blurred it out the background well and the cactus is a nice thing. Yeah so desaturate the blue maybe even blurr it just a bit more and you will have a great image. The foreground is already sharp or go back and find it again and take away the blue entirely. Thank you for you image.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
01/25/2004 02:29:31 AM
Hmmm...And this one doesn't look like it's in the wild... Sorry just an observation about the title.
TC
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/23/2004 04:09:51 PM
I respect these damn things! During a backpacking trip in Big Bend NP I was trying to take a picture of a wind carved tree and crOUCHED down on one of these guys trying to get a good shot. Not fun!

Great texture though, nice detail!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/22/2004 02:32:18 PM
shame about the blue corner - detracts my eye too much from the subject which is beautifully focussed
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/22/2004 10:05:26 AM
Nice cactus, but the blue doesn't help to me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/21/2004 04:58:20 PM
i find your background too distracting
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/21/2004 10:55:48 AM
Very nice shot of the cactus - clean and well defined. I'm really turned off by that strip of bright blue at the right, it gives the picture a very unnatural look that is out of keeping with the message.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/20/2004 12:11:07 PM
This has Great definition and Subject is amazing.. Great work
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/20/2004 05:36:24 AM
bacground is clashing, but pin sharp!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/20/2004 02:10:01 AM
This photo is so beautiful it hurts. Great color, composition.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/19/2004 07:59:05 PM
The blue off to the right is slightly distracting...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/19/2004 05:03:01 PM
Great title - you've almost written the story that goes with this fine picture, very NG. Minor suggestion: tone down the hot blue in upper right.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
01/19/2004 01:54:03 AM
The blue doesn't distract. A novel idea: the kind National Geographic is looking for. Interesting subject framed in an interesting way. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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