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Cardons

Skipjack Joe - 1-28-2009 at 06:49 AM

A couple of images of evening cardons from the last trip.

These were taken south of El Rosario, near St. Augustin, I believe.

Paulina - 1-28-2009 at 09:08 AM

Thanks Igor, I think the Cardon cactus is very interesting. On our last trip home from Bahia, as I was staring blankly out the passenger side window, I was taking a visual inventory of all the Cardon that grow on the north side of the road between the town and the highway. As I was doing this I was wondering if the Cardon has to get a certain height before it starts growing arms. What do you think?

P<*)))>{

Skipjack Joe - 1-28-2009 at 09:50 AM

I haven't thought about it much, Paulina, but it makes sense. The young ones never seem to have branches. When I first started coming to baja I thought the small straight ones weren't Cardon at all.

A couple of years ago we had a poll here for 'your favorite cactus'. As I remember the Cardon was the overall winner. I just like their bold thick bands of lines that rise to the top. Especially in the evening light.

Mexitron - 1-28-2009 at 10:11 AM

Nice Skipjack! You don't know how hungry seeing those pics makes me for Baja............

Skipjack Joe - 1-28-2009 at 10:44 AM

Have you painted anything of that part of baja that you like?

I always feel so inspired when I drive through that section of baja. But I just can't seem to get across to my satisfaction whatever it is that makes me feel that way. I should probably just spend some quality time there instead of driving through, and it will come to me.

Paulina - 1-28-2009 at 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
... I just like their bold thick bands of lines that rise to the top. Especially in the evening light.

Me too. Maybe that's why I keep taking photos of our two Cardons in Bahia.

I like this one because it shows the different colors in the bands at the top. I'm guessing that it leaves those marks every time it has a growth spurt?

A close up during the daylight:

This is our other one. We measure it every time we're down. I noticed that this one is growing higher on one side than the other. I'm curious to see if it has evened out come Spring break.

Thanks Igor for starting this thread.

P<*)))>{

Skipjack Joe - 1-28-2009 at 11:00 AM

How fast is it growing?

Paulina - 1-28-2009 at 11:13 AM

I had a feeling you were going to ask that. Now I'm going to have to dig out all my baja journals and figure it out. It's kind of like the science fair experiment that was turned in late because of being too lazy to add up the results.

:rolleyes:

I just so happen to have this year's journal right here, so looking back to July 08 measurements, then comparing them to Jan. 09, here are the results:

"Cardon Jeff" was 36" in July and the same in Jan.

"Cowfood" was 59" in July and 63" in Jan. Cowfood grew 4" in seven months.

"Big Guy" was 66" in July and 69" in Jan. Big Guy grew only 3".

That's a beginning, now I have to do some homework to find their sizes when we first planted them.

Skipjack Joe - 1-28-2009 at 11:26 AM

That's a lot faster than I expected.

Remember DavidK's before and after pictures separated by 40-50 years. Most people thought that old-man cactus in the two photos hadn't changed much during that time frame.

"Jeff" must be the runt of the family. I once grew a cherry tree in my back yard from a sapling and it had the same growth pattern your Cardons are showing. There was very slow growth initially and then it just took off. I liked to watch it grow every day. I'm strange that way.

Paulina - 1-28-2009 at 11:31 AM

"I'm strange that way."

I don't think you're the only one.

I was trying to figure out what Jeff's problem is, besides being vertically challenged. He's fairly new to the scene and tends to get soapy water at times, where as Cowfood gets run off water from our water tank. I was worried that it was getting too much water, but from the results of the last measurement, he's kinda liking it.

P<*)))>{

An amusing story about Cardons

Skipjack Joe - 1-28-2009 at 12:09 PM

Back in 1977 we made our first trip to Puerto Escondido during winter school break. The main purpose was to fish but it was windy so often that we probably spent more time bird watching.

Well, this one particular day we were following a gilded flicker from tree to cactus trying to get a better look. Every time we'd get close enough and I'd start to adjust the focus off it went to another plant.

Finally, the last time, it left it's perch and came straight towards us, settling on a small cardon, no more than 6 feet, directly in front of us.

Aha! I thought to myself. This should be good. I slowly circled the plant with camera in hand and to my surprise - no bird! I had kept my eye on the cactus and there was just no way it could have flown without me seeing it.

Slowly I circled it several times, muttering in disbelief, before I had a distinct feeling that I was being watched. I looked at the plant and I thought I saw a head. I looked again and there was nothing. Strange. There was a hole about shoulder high but when I looked inside it was just dark. So, I waited patiently and sure enough, a head appeared out of the hole and looked around to see if it was safe to come out.

Paulina - 1-28-2009 at 12:38 PM

That gilded flicker was probably thinking the same thing about you. Just as it was getting a good eye on you, you would move. Your story made me remember that I have two children's books somewhere that I used to bring out during my Desert theme; Cactus Hotel and Desert Giant. I wish I had all these photos to use back then.

They really are more than just another cactus.

P<*)))>{

Natalie Ann - 1-28-2009 at 06:36 PM

Igor and Paulina... I very much enjoyed your pix and stories of cardons.

That first picture of yours is my favorite, Igor - those cardons in the foreground are really neat. It looks like the big one has one large part that has died and that green arms are growing from the 'dead' part. I've seen that before but don't understand how it happens.

Once I took a desert plant tour with a guide. He told me that the average annual growth of a cardon is 1 inch. He said that in years with mucho rain, they grow a bit more... but in years of drought they may grow even less than that inch. Would seem that Cowfood is very happy with the runoff water, Paulina.

Nena

Paulina - 1-28-2009 at 06:45 PM

Nena, it seems so! I was worried at first that I was drowning them, but now I've changed my mind! I may have to move my water hose over to Jeff's side of the garden for a while so it can catch up to the others.

Thanks,
P.<*)))>{

Mexitron - 1-28-2009 at 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Have you painted anything of that part of baja that you like?

I always feel so inspired when I drive through that section of baja. But I just can't seem to get across to my satisfaction whatever it is that makes me feel that way. I should probably just spend some quality time there instead of driving through, and it will come to me.

Mostly I've painted Cirios, but Cardons...oh, when you catch a little forest of them in the morning or evening sun they're magnificent! Cardons are on the list!

Paulina - 1-28-2009 at 07:35 PM

Hopefully towards the top of your list!

Taco de Baja - 1-29-2009 at 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mexitron

Quote:

Mostly I've painted Cirios, but Cardons...oh, when you catch a little forest of them in the morning or evening sun they're magnificent! Cardons are on the list!

You've done some nice Agaves too....and some nice beach scenes....Don't be modest

Skipjack Joe - 1-29-2009 at 10:04 AM

Mexitron, I would encourage you to create a thread in the photo gallery forum displaying your baja paintings. I would really like to see them and I'm sure other members would also.

I have a plant list also, with them ranked from top to bottom. The ocotillo has been on top for years now but last time it did little for me. Agave's are way up there. As is a cactus that is seldom anyone's favorite: the candelabra.

Few favorite Cardon pictures

fixtrauma - 1-29-2009 at 03:06 PM

Thanks for the tread Skipjack Joe. Here are a few of my favorite cardon pictures........Don

Notice the moon in the picture!

I love this picture!

[Edited on 1-29-2009 by fixtrauma]

[Edited on 1-29-2009 by fixtrauma]

Skipjack Joe - 1-29-2009 at 03:40 PM

Thanks, Don.

The first one reminded me to refill my prescription of Viagra.

Taco de Baja - 1-29-2009 at 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Mexitron, I would encourage you to create a thread in the photo gallery forum displaying your baja paintings. I would really like to see them and I'm sure other members would also.

Art by Mexitron

:biggrin:

Viagra

fixtrauma - 1-29-2009 at 11:38 PM

Reminded you to fill your script because of the color of the sky is close to the right color...........Right? :lol:

Skipjack Joe - 1-29-2009 at 11:43 PM

Thanks for the link.

I really enjoyed going through the gallery and even came up with some ideas about what makes so special the section of baja I like so much.

The picture of the baja night sky attracted me a lot also. One of baja's great pleasures is to look up from the light of the campfire and see that Milky Way stretching from horizon to horizon. Haven't found a way of getting that on 'film' yet. Need to learn how.

Night Sky

fixtrauma - 1-30-2009 at 01:14 AM

Here is a cardon with night sky.........but not the beautiful baja night sky you are talking about. I never get tired of that orange on the horizon that transforms to light blue to dark blue to black the higher you look in the sky.

Skipjack Joe - 1-30-2009 at 02:59 AM

Very nice. Please share more of your images.

baitcast - 1-30-2009 at 07:37 AM

Not to change the subject but if you could see far enough in the nite time sky you would see my favorite,the " Pillars of Creation"

EnseNADAslim - 1-30-2009 at 10:05 AM

I know for sure that when I grow up I want to be a cardon...

Grande Cardon

tripledigitken - 1-30-2009 at 10:13 AM

On the road to San Borja.

Cardon y Luna

David K - 1-30-2009 at 10:23 AM

Here'[s a cardon with moon photo from April, 2001... Exploring the area north of Desengaño and west of Yubay.

Skipjack Joe - 1-30-2009 at 12:19 PM

"Full Moon over Cardon" - I like the sound of that.

Maybe there's a time of the year where you can really get creative with that idea. Use the Half Dome shots as a guide.

Mexitron - 1-30-2009 at 12:44 PM

Skipjack--thanks for the encouragement--I need to transition back to being self-employed to be able to make the time for more painting--too hard working 8-5 to carve out a time niche...it'll be easier when we're back on the west coast again...

That night sky in Baja has always been elusive for my feeble photography skills but painting it seemed to work out.

Thanks for the link Taco!

Tomas Tierra - 1-30-2009 at 12:47 PM

The biggest cardon I've ever seen...West of El Progresso, BCN

img067.jpg - 26kB

There is a price on everything

pangamadness - 1-30-2009 at 01:01 PM

On the road to LA bay about 98'

Still have not got the hang of resizing, 2nd try

[Edited on 1-30-2009 by pangamadness]

[Edited on 1-31-2009 by pangamadness]

cactus gone.jpg - 7kB

DianaT - 1-30-2009 at 01:25 PM

Certainly not the biggest Cardons we have seen, but on the Road to San Borja, there is the thickest cardon forest we have seen.

But this one that I took quickly out the side window still baffles us---how and why is that thing on top of this one.

A crop of the above picture --- just wonder when that thing was put there.

I really like all the pictures on this thread, but I think my favorite is the fixtrauma's night sky. I love the contrast of that giant cardon against the very dark sky.

And, Mexiton, your paintings are stunning, just beautiful.

Diane

Cardon Camp.....

Tomas Tierra - 1-30-2009 at 01:30 PM

the boonies.JPG - 50kB

Russ - 1-30-2009 at 02:20 PM

Here are a couple I found. There are some really nice cordon "forest" near by a lot of people here don't see any more since the new road by passes them.

Edited for ------~~~~~& ¶¶¶¶¶¶¶§§§§§¢¢¢¢¢™™™™™

[Edited on 1-30-2009 by Russ]

tripledigitken - 1-30-2009 at 02:27 PM

Some are real colorful up close. Not sure if this is an indication of poor health. :?:

Natalie Ann - 1-30-2009 at 06:35 PM

They are real colorful up close, Ken...

Nena

Paulina - 1-30-2009 at 07:43 PM

Those are some great photos.

This has been a great thread.

P<*)))>{

[Edited on 1-2-2009 by Paulina]

woody with a view - 1-30-2009 at 07:52 PM

way out there....

100_0356.jpg - 49kB

Cardon - 1-30-2009 at 09:58 PM

I suppose I should post a photo since I go by the moniker of Cardon. Here is a before and after photo or is it an inside and out photo of a Cardon.

whatever happened to

woody with a view - 1-30-2009 at 10:04 PM

CardonHugger?

let's hope he's still throwing rocks from the shadows...... :lol:

Mas

David K - 1-31-2009 at 08:40 AM

Some various cardon photos from my trip photos at VivaBaja.com:

Valle la Bocana (south of L.A. Bay):

Cañada el Parral (Mike Humfreville at Matomi #2):

El Rosario area:

Now, if you want to see boojum trees... I do have a LOT of those !!! :light:

Tomas Tierra - 1-31-2009 at 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody in ob
CardonHugger?

let's hope he's still throwing rocks from the shadows...... :lol:

Cactus Groper...........You still out there!

Skipjack Joe - 1-31-2009 at 10:51 AM

Thank you David. It's always a pleasure to see an image of Mike Humphreyville.

BajaNuts - 1-31-2009 at 10:58 PM

I love that kinda gnarly looking one from DK.

Mexitron - 2-2-2009 at 09:07 PM

Oddly composed but somehow I liked it:

Mexitron - 2-2-2009 at 09:15 PM

In my former life in San Clemente...just behind the Bottle Palm you'll see the tip of a Cardon I've had since getting it in 1988 in a two-inch pot from Phyllis Phleisig(sp?) a Baja seed collector...its now in the good care of cousin Huddo and reputed to be approaching 6 feet tall. And for the botanists among you those are Dudleyas in many of the smaller pots, many grown from seed collected in Baja ( most donated to the UCI Faculty Housing Botanic Garden):

Skipjack Joe - 2-4-2009 at 09:53 PM

Regarding your night pictures Mexitron,

I'd like to shoot an elephant tree at night using this idea:

OKeefe_TheLawrenceTree.jpg - 47kB

Paulina - 2-4-2009 at 10:05 PM

A few years ago while exploring the area near and around the rock paintings in Bahia we came across a huge elephant tree that might just work out for your photographic vision. It was the biggest one I've ever seen.

Can I remember exactly where it was? No, but the next time we venture out that way I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for it.

That would be a cool shot.

P<*)))>{

edit: added tree photo

[Edited on 5-2-2009 by Paulina]

Bob H - 2-4-2009 at 10:24 PM

Here's the biggest one I've ever seen. This was located on the East side of Bahia Concepcion, about halfway back up North on the other side.
Bob H

fixtrauma - 2-4-2009 at 10:48 PM

Sheez Bob H. Can you imagine how old that cactus is?

DianaT - 2-4-2009 at 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Regarding your night pictures Mexitron,

I'd like to shoot an elephant tree at night using this idea:

Love your idea---would love to go back to this one near San Pablo and shoot it at night.

Diane

Bob H - 2-4-2009 at 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fixtrauma
Sheez Bob H. Can you imagine how old that cactus is?

I'm less than 6-feet tall... I would estimate 300+ years - I can't imagine how old. I was just amazed when I saw this one.

Any experts out there that might know?

Bob H

Skipjack Joe - 2-4-2009 at 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jdtrotter

Love your idea---would love to go back to this one near San Pablo and shoot it at night.

Diane

That would make a great subject, Diane.

BTW, I watched 'Casablanca' tonight and you were right (I said I preferred 'The African Queen'), that's a heck of a film. Bogart was great as the brooding lover. Has John Huston ever made a bad film?

fixtrauma - 2-4-2009 at 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H

Quote:

Originally posted by fixtrauma
Sheez Bob H. Can you imagine how old that cactus is?

I'm less than 6-feet tall... I would estimate 300+ years - I can't imagine how old. I was just amazed when I saw this one.

Any experts out there that might know?

Bob H

I am with you Bob.....I am continuously amazed with cardons. I am fortunate that the one I posted earlier on this thread against the night sky is on our property near La Paz. It is a majestic one!

DianaT - 2-4-2009 at 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe

BTW, I watched 'Casablanca' tonight and you were right (I said I preferred 'The African Queen'), that's a heck of a film. Bogart was great as the brooding lover. Has John Huston ever made a bad film?

OK, this is off topic, but John Huston was like a Cardon---a real giant in his area ---what a talent. His The Battle of San Pietro is one of my all time favorites for its realism at a time when most films romantisized war.

But then again, I could list MANY favorites from John Huston.

Can't wait to try and get that Elephant Tree Shot and maybe, just maybe this trip down, we will find the "perfect" cardon.

Diane

DianaT - 2-4-2009 at 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cardon
I suppose I should post a photo since I go by the moniker of Cardon. Here is a before and after photo or is it an inside and out photo of a Cardon.

I really love that photo---the contrast is just wonderful

Mexitron - 3-12-2009 at 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Regarding your night pictures Mexitron,

I'd like to shoot an elephant tree at night using this idea:

Woops, missed seeing this thread....that would be beautiful Skipjack--maybe with some faint moonlight and a long exposure...???

Skipjack Joe - 3-13-2009 at 09:17 AM

The Canon 5D Mark II now shoots at an ISO 3200. And I understand there is very little noise at those high ISO's. A remarkable camera (at a remarkable price).

baitcast - 3-13-2009 at 10:04 AM

Found this biggie on the old road into BOLA.
Rob

[Edited on 3-15-2009 by baitcast]

Fruitas y Flores de de Cardon

flyfishinPam - 5-29-2010 at 02:56 PM

Here are some flowers and fruit up close. I don't have a macro lens so can't get too close. This Cardon has grown about 2 meters in ten years and this is the first year its ever flowered. I have video of the bees collecting pollen inside the flowers from today but here's a couple of quick ones first was taken about five days ago, the second was taken this morning-

when you put "old+loreto" in the search under the photo gallery you get the Loreto hoarhouse thread. Then I came on this thread. I love cardons we have four in our yard.

DianaT - 5-29-2010 at 03:50 PM

Pam, those are beautiful shots!

Thanks

flyfishinPam - 5-29-2010 at 04:12 PM

Thanks here's a couple more from this morning. This cardon has more flowers this year than we've ever seen before.

DianaT - 5-29-2010 at 04:40 PM

Yikes, that must be one happy, well cared for cardon to produce all those flowers! BEAUTIFUL and the bird is a nice touch.

If we could we would grow a cardon or two in our yard, but they do not like sand dunes.

durrelllrobert - 5-29-2010 at 07:22 PM

I,m sure everyone has seen this big boy :?:

CARDONS IN SAN JUAN DE DIOS AND SANTA URSULA AREA

ELINVESTIG8R - 5-29-2010 at 09:08 PM

flyfishinPam - 5-30-2010 at 06:43 AM

Last night I watched bats on the flowers. Couldn't get it on film but they fly up to the flower and hug it with their wings for a few seconds then let go, drop to the ground and fly off again. I watched this for about an hour last night.

woody with a view - 5-30-2010 at 07:19 AM

a couple of big old cardon.

100_6469.jpg - 43kB

woody with a view - 5-30-2010 at 07:21 AM

this is one of my 2 handfuls of favorite fotos of all time.

100_0357.jpg - 44kB

classicbajabronco - 5-30-2010 at 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by baitcast
Found this biggie on the old road into BOLA.
Rob

[Edited on 3-15-2009 by baitcast]

looks like this guy is smoking a "cardon" of his own design..Kind of looks like a zepelin...don't it?

flyfishinPam - 5-30-2010 at 07:12 PM

:lol: