Ken Bondy - 1-22-2010 at 09:57 PM
fixtrauma - 1-22-2010 at 10:14 PM
WHOA.....great pictures! What cactus is the 6th picture?
Debra - 1-22-2010 at 10:16 PM
Ken, thanks...............You're pictures always are beautiful and calming.
marv sherrill - 1-22-2010 at 11:17 PM
Wow underwater, marine cactus pics - gotta be a first!
Geo_Skip - 1-22-2010 at 11:43 PM
Who cannot love Ken's Photos?
Ken Bondy - 1-23-2010 at 09:25 AM
Muchas gracias Geo_Skip, Debra, fixtrauma.
@fixtrauma wish I could help with the ID. My fish ID skills are much better than my cactus ID skills 
. Maybe someone else...
@marv - hey, I occasionally take a picture above water:
DianaT - 1-23-2010 at 12:19 PM
Beautiful, just beautiful as usual. Number two is my favorite.
Thanks
ecomujeres - 1-24-2010 at 01:10 AM
Re: photo # 6. Don't know the species, but this is actually some type of euphorbia, (family is Euphorbiaceae) while cacti are in a completely
different, unrelated family (Cactaceae).
Euphorbias are excellents examples of convergent evolution. Natives of Africa, many are adapted to arid desert conditions similar to the environment
of the cacti of the New World. So, they have adaptations like waxy and/or very tough cuticles, succulent tissues that retain water, a body form that
reduces exposure to the sun and excessive loss, and spine-like protuberances to discourage browsing and create a shady or more humid environment
around the plant's stem.
An example of a new world euphorbia here in Baja is Candelilla (Pedilanthus macrocarpa, and newly renamed Euphorbia lomelii). Don't have a photo
available at the moment, but maybe someone can post before I get to it?
Thanks ecomujeres
fixtrauma - 1-24-2010 at 06:39 AM
That gives me some information to do some searching on. I am intrigued by the miniature blossoms.
Candelilla
Skipjack Joe - 1-24-2010 at 08:32 AM
I believe I've seen these in baja and death valley.
stimbo - 1-24-2010 at 10:21 AM
I love the symmetry of cactus. Great job Ken.
Mexitron - 1-24-2010 at 10:50 AM
Skipjack---I think that's a photo of another Candililla---Euphorbia antisyphillitica---that is native to the Big Bend area of Texas and Northern
Chihuahua. It looks similar though, just not quite the nice orange, eh, bracts, that the Baja native---Euphorbia lomeli--has.
Ken Bondy - 1-24-2010 at 10:54 AM
On a roll, here are a few more:
Mexitron - 1-24-2010 at 10:55 AM
Here's a link to a site that describes the Baja Euphorbia:
http://fireflyforest.net/firefly/2007/03/16/slipper-plant-or...
Sorry to hijack the thread Ken---nice photos!!!
Ken Bondy - 1-24-2010 at 11:02 AM
Not a hijack Mexitron - love the information. I don't know much scientifically about cactus but I have always enjoyed photographing them,
particularly tight photos showing the detail. They are absolutely beautiful and generally under-rated as a photographic subject. And a lot of the
flowers are stunning...I think.
Natalie Ann - 1-24-2010 at 11:06 AM
I love your very first cactus in this thread, Ken. It's so celebratory in color and style.
That Candelilla that you posted, Skipjack, is a good one to help heal cuts and scrapes. Break the stem and apply the sticky white 'juice' which leaks
from the plant. Don't do this with just any euphorbia, though, as many will actually cause skin irritations.
nena
bill erhardt - 1-24-2010 at 11:17 AM
Beautiful, Ken.
Sallysouth - 1-24-2010 at 01:46 PM
Its an "oh boy!" Sunday when I see a post from Ken!!As always, wonderful Ken! I have one of those Euphorbias (2 actually in my yard) like the 4th one
in the 2nd set.They are easy to grow .Thanks Ken!