Cactus bristles with exuberant beauty, color, enchantment and a menacing covering of thorns, very much like life itself in these troubled times. Unlike other flowering thorny-plants, including the rose, the cactus offers no solace, no fragrance, no friendliness. No one can gambol insouciantly through a cactus bush, no one can greedily reach to pick a juicy prickly-pear to satisfy thirst, or casually grab a frond to eventually peel and enjoy in a salad (like the Mexicans manage to do with their napales), not unless one has cast-iron skin.
What the cactus does give us is stunning visuals and a dizzying array of asymmetrically coordinated design features, making them a treasure trove for the photographic lens. I run into a fortune of cactus when out for a peep at how the upper half live in the Aktur luxury-holiday village down the beach from my cottage on Bitez Bay. I am trekking along with my trusty canine friend BlueEye (her other eye is brown) who stays by my side even when it rains, to keep things safe for me. There, in the midst of seriously well-appointed villas (seriously locked up in the off-season) is a cactus garden in full bloom with its own unusual flowers, so devastatingly attractive you want to dive into it and dream, were it not for its forbidding and unrelenting shield of those injurious thorns.
I return to Aktur several times in as many days. I capture the cactus in various lighting situations as the February stormy weather gives me unpredictable conditions that change from moment to moment. Despite the late winter that seems to be lingering, there are various wildflowers that have blossomed near, around and even through the cactus, adding their own color and shapes to the landscape. It feels as if I am wondering inside an impressionist painting with expressionist detail that will self-alter and regenerate at will. This is mutable art as only nature herself can muster and I am but a transient visitor here to grab the moment.
Words by Byron Ayanoglu
Photographs by Algis Kemezys © 2012
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this is my pre-Valentine's day offering.
On the day itself next Tuesday I'll be visiting a little known ancient site that had a fertility cult 3000 years ago. I'll report from there to all you lovers. Have some chocolates for me. Cheers
I love your dog with his different eyes,looks kind of cool.
Rated
Rittersport or Swiss chocolate?Toblerone is one of the best.
One tiny correction: nopales. I've never tried them, though. :)
One tiny correction: nopales. I've never tried them, though. :)
Loved these.. my faves?
the radish cactus..:)
HUGGGGGGGGGG
I'm guessing that Blue Eye is part husky, part Shepard; I trust he knows to stay away from the pricks.
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Thanks for making my Day!
Sometimes when I steal your intellectual property I'll just give it back. ;-)
You've managed to transcend your usual astuteness, adding wit and simply uncommon beauty. Cacti will never conjure the same images in the brain of anyone who has been fortunate enough to see this.
Lezlie
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But for now am content with the cacti, most formidably beautiful of all the phantasmagoric plant kingdom.
Fertility cult, hm?
What stunning photography!
When I read the title, I had to smile. It's funny how one thing can remind you of something else. :)
♥
Yummy eye candy. RR
Brie aka Barbara K LOL nice way to put that. I am sure those pickly pears are good candy too. Thanks!
bikepsychobabble, Sometimes if you give the cactus more water tha you think they can grow at an amazing rate. Thanks again and more..
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█░█░░░╚╝╚╝╚═╝ ░█░█░♥......To EVERYONE !!!!!!! ❤ ♡*•.¸¸.•*♡
As an aside, how did the dog handle the cacti? Did it know that it should keep its distance from the thorns?
r
rated with love
And what a metaphor for love: the tenderest blooms surrounded by a phalanx of vegetative weaponry.
Marvelous looking dog, btw.
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─▐█████▄▄█████▌(=':')-------(':'=)
──▀██▄▀▀▀▀▄██▀o(..(")(")..(") (")..)o
────▀██████▀ *•.¸¸.•*`*•.¸¸.•*`*•.¸¸.•★
──────▀██▀ ★•*`*•─(¯` v´¯)¸♪•
╔╗╔╦╗╦╔░╔═╗♪•*☆.(¯`:❤ :´¯)´¯)*
╚╗║║║║║░╠╣★*•.¸¸.•*.(_.^._)❤:´ ¯)
╚╝╝╝╝╩╚═╚═╝───.¸¸.•*`*•(_.^._) ★*•
Flip da Lid Thanks so much! I tried putting them in a book and when I tried to close it they ruined several pages. Those cactus are rather large and juicy, was that wrong?
FEBRUARY 09, 2012 03:31 AM
Scanner You sure can my good man, more chocolate for you! Thanks again!
Designanator ' it is my pleasure and I thank you dearly for the comment. More chocalate for you too!
daisy jane smithie LOL, OK and thanks again BIGTIME!
Jonathan Wolfman Thanks JW for stunning me again!
Heidi Banerjee, Yes it took me weeks to get her to trust me and now she goes on my excursions and is such a fine companion. I sing her a song as we keep each other company...Thanks again!
Heidi Banerjee, Bittersweet please cause it probabbly is easier on the teeth. Thanks again...
roberto luigi, Bravo and YES YES YES! Thanks!
Erica K isn't she? She is a stray dog and so I try to always bring her food and comfort. Thanks again.
Golden Phoenix, OMG what a wonderful thing to say.I am sure if anyone will come up with the word it will be you. Thanks again and more chocolate for you.
Deborah Méndez-Wilson, I have left that incorrectly spelt word there in thanks of your correction and I thank you dearly. I truly love your compliment. May you have as much chocolate as your heart desires...
Zanelle Oh Zanelle if I was there I would give your both HUGS and Kisses.
More chocalte for you! Thanks again!
Harry's Ghost LOL Thanks for pointing that out!
Linda Seccaspina, Thanks again LS . You know in the market here they have radishes the size of grapefruits. I love them and love you too!
Lea Lane LOL excellently said and as much chocolate for you as your heart desires. Thanks for mentioning the title, I thought it was great, then was going to change it so many times. Glad I just left it...
_♥♥♥♥♥___♥♥♥♥♥♥
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Zacherydtaylor I can only imagine what her DNA line is? She is wonderfully patient and always seems to be smiling at me as I work. Do as you like what comes around goes around..Thanks again!
Jlsathre, Very nice! I am looking forward to that. Thanks again!
hyblaean- Julie, because you are and were so beautiful with that great head of fluffy hair that I saw. Thanks again!
rita shibr Freezing in Philly? OMG my sister lives near there and I do like that city. Have a good time and thanks again for dropping by with the wonderful words. Hugs from the cold too!
Midwest Muse, Oh your are so aMUSing...Thanks so much and more. Yeah she has just got the best two eyes ever.
Dicky Neely Really she lives down at the far side of the beach and is really quite afraid of folks. I have been courting her for weeks before she would accept me and come along for hikes outside her territory. She is indeed the perfect companion and I have to do is give her food and affection. Thanks again!
Amdad44, Al, Al your so swell and my best pal..can you tell? Your words are like gold and I will always behold. Hope you make it over here! Thanks again!
SpiritManSFm Anything for my kindred spirit. Efharistow para Poli!
Margaret Feike, OMG excellent and more chocolate for you.
Nanatehay, Thanks so much for the WOW! You gave me such a good one with that post of the ASCII post of the women in the bikini. It was just awesome and made that page so truly fantastic as you are yourself!
Alsoknownas, Thanks so much hope it goes smoothly for you from now on. Thanks again!
Belinda T., I am so proud of you but be careful these images can get cha if you don't watch out!
clay ball OH thanks so much from the three of us but in particualarly from Blueeye who I am so glad you mentioned because a big part of this was because she was always there keeping me company. I might not have worked so hard or long at it was it not for her! More chocolate for you!
L in the Southeast, LOL boy I like hearing that coming from you. I guess thats a good thing right? Thanks again and more chocolate for U!
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Trilogy Thanks and Thanks again...Your good! Want some more chocolate?
SheilaTGTG55, Thanks again my Dear! So glad you enjoyed!
FEBRUARY 09, 2012 12:58 PM
HERE IS A CHOCOLATE BREAK FOR EVERYONE!
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Dr. Spudman44, OMG it is now an honor to get a complicment like that from you. More Belgium chocolate for you! Thanks again!
Sarah Cavanaugh Yes those eyes rule and really make an impression. Thanks again for this!
tr ig, Oh Maestro Thanks so very much!
James M. Emmerling Yes, I am going with an older professor from this region and it should be great. There is also an ancient spring that I plan to do some drinking from because it is said to be healing water. I can hardly wait to see how my pendulum reacts there as well. Stay tuned and thanks again for the interest.
Workstudio Yes I was so glad to go there at the right time of day and the scattered showers and bits of elusive sunshine made photographing them always varied and more. Thanks again and more.
Diary of a Hopeful Starving Student, Thanks for mentioning the title. I had so many double thoughts about it. I was going to change it to Beauty and the Pricks, or Beauty and the Prickly but I eventually changed it back durning the week as I worked on this. Thanks againtoo for the compliment.
asia rein My eyes have just popped out over that……...thank god I can type without them. Thanks BIGTIME...more chocolate for you!
Christine Geery Thanks so much CG. I want to live in Arizona sometime too. Hope I do and the best to you!
FEBRUARY 09, 2012 04:20 PM
Kim Gamble, Coming form down under I just love it. Thanks so very much! More chocolate for you buddy!
Jennifer Prestholdt, Oh great! I am so glad you enjoyed that! Cheers and thanks again.
Firechick, Its my pleasure and I thank you and hope you see some great cacti while there. Think of me and Don Juan when out there wondering and always look for the place of power before you sit down. Cheers!
Mary Stanik, I guess with tender loving care and the right amount of moisture and cloud cover. Thanks again and Hugs too!
Beth Mann, OMG thanks and here is a GREAT big HUG and KISS for that. Thanks so mcu BM!
Rwnutjob Just like you I am sure. Thanks!
Addicted to the Voices, Also because beauty see beauty! Thanks again!
FusunA, Thanks so much! I was actually thinking of you when I made this and wondered if you would know that? Remember when life is tough it can always get tougher. Tasheker ederim
Thoth OMG so glad you mentioned both. Your a gentleman an a Hermes!Thanks again!
Alysa Salzberg, And Blueye loves you for it too.Thanks again!
FEBRUARY 09, 2012 07:53 PM
Margaret Bowen,Oh I upload images that are 789 pixels wide. Thanks again and again!
Donegal Descendant, Thanks again. The text was written by Byron Ayanoglu and I shall pass that on. I thought he did far better than I ever could with the wording. So glad you mentioned all of this and more…..
Kevin Army, Kevin my brothers name is that and I thank you from the warmest part of my heart bro! Live long and prosper as I wish everyone that too!

Flip da Lid Exactly my thoughts too. Thanks again.

Jack Heart, That is just so interesting how that turns out. I guess the creator must have had a good laugh over this one. Thanks again J.
Abrawang, Your awesome thanks so much for that!
FEBRUARY 10, 2012 09:19 AM
r

Rw005g Great Thanks, the dog seemed to have no problem in the thickest part of the garden.

Oryoki Bowl, Oh how I would love to see this there. It must be quite the thing to witness and experience. Maybe one day I will make it out there. Cheers and Thanks!

RomanticPoetess, You nailed it and I was wondering who would see this and mention it and it was you. How Romantic and astute you are. Thanks for this BIGTIME.
V.Corso, Oh you said that oh so well. Thanks again and more...
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(¯`••´¯)..
.*•. ¸.•*Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
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▒♥▒♥✿*ﾟ'ﾟ･✿.｡.✿*ﾟ✿░H░A░P░P░Y░♥░W░E░E░K░E░N░D░✿*ﾟ'ﾟ･✿.｡.✿*ﾟ✿♥▒♥▒
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Algis Kemezys
"This is mutable art as only you can muster and I am but a transient visitor here to grab the moment."
Thank you for each one.
Blue Roses, So glad for your visit and yes I guess everything is mutable. HVD!
Mango Sherbert, Excellent I shall tell Byron and i am so glad you dropped by and more. HVD!
.........(¯`v´¯) (¯`v´¯)
☼•*¨`*•.¸.(ˆ◡ˆ).¸.•*
............... *•.¸.•* ♥⋆★•❥ Peace and ♥ L☼√Ξ ☼ ♥
⋆───★•❥Have a Lovely Day ☼ .¸¸.•*`*•.♥ (ツ)
Happy Valentine's Day to you! It sounds like you'll be in wonderful company on the 14th.
...the extra chocolates have your name on them ~
Unlike Lloyd's of London cacti have their pricks on the outside.
That omnipresent blue flower got me too and at full maturity we eat the Opuntia's (sp) fruit. Well FRed(tm) doesn't but I have.
catch-22, Thats a good catch22 for me. thanks again.
CreekEnd UK, it's a great fruit indeed. So glad you dropped by and mentioned it.
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.❀♥*•. ¸.•*.
(¯`••´¯)..
.*•. ¸.•*Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
Robin Robinson, Really appreciate the comment. thanks again!
nolalibrarian, I really appreciate that and more. Thanks!
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.❀♥*•. ¸.•*.
(¯`••´¯)..
.*•. ¸.•*Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
~R~
eyespye. Thanks so much, I really appreciate the comment and R.Happy V day to you too!
tai, Thanks so much and Happy V day to you as well!
Thanks again to everyone who commented here. I truly appreciate it and wish everyone a very Happy & Merry Valentines Day!
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─▐█████▄▄█████▌(=':')-------(':'=)
──▀██▄▀▀▀▀▄██▀o(..(")(")..(") (")..)o
────▀██████▀ *•.¸¸.•*`*•.¸¸.•*`*•.¸¸.•★
──────▀██▀ ★•*`*•─(¯` v´¯)¸♪•
╔╗╔╦╗╦╔░╔═╗♪•*☆.(¯`:❤ :´¯)´¯)*
╚╗║║║║║░╠╣★*•.¸¸.•*.(_.^._)❤:´ ¯)
╚╝╝╝╝╩╚═╚═╝───.¸¸.•*`*•(_.^._) ★*•
Your probably the only person who could appreciate my penchant for wearing all black. The clothes are only a canvas...
So... if I send you some of my words can you create a photo story with them? Not so elegantly eloquent as Byron, but I think it would be interesting to see how you visual what I write... and maybe compare it to my original vision. Might be challenging. But fun.