Gallery 4-1 - Cactus, Flowers and Prickly Things

Can you hug a cactus? Many of them seem cute, almost huggable. And some even have cute names, like "teddy bear cholla", or "queen of the night". Their blossoms are often magnificent, with a riot of colors and shapes varying from the incredibly ornate to the simply improbable. We feature some of them here, together with agaves, aloes, yuccas and other pointed plants. We recommend that you hug just the art. Both you and the prickly things will be happier. Digitography is made for flowers and plants. Take a look. Be sure and check our other galleries as well; they overlap a little.

For your convenience, we've placed only a few images on each page of this gallery. When you are ready, go to page 2 or 3 in this Gallery, or use the tags at the top to view other galleries on our site and place your order.

Agave Feeding Station

◄ Agave Feeding Station

Agave Feeding Station©. By midsummer, the golden agave flowers have turned to nutritious seed. Here a small Gila woodpecker enjoys the bounty of the feeding station nearly ten feet over the desert floor. Perhaps the Gila will drop some seed in fertile soil allowing the lifecycle to repeat itself in subsequent years. Edition size: 39 small; 39 large; artist: Laurie Larwood.

Arizona Spring

◄ Arizona Spring

Arizona Spring©. The rainfall was unusual for the spring, something happening every few years. The fairy dusters are flowering exuberantly, joined by the desert marigolds and purple penstamen. They are all surrounded by bright yellow palo verdes. In a month, it will be the turn of the crested saguaro. Edition size: 29 small; 29 large; artist: Sherry Shamroth.

Barrels of Fire©. One colorful plant appears to enjoy the hot desert summers by blossoming into a kaleidoscope of flowers. Delicate rosettes of flowers around the tops of Sonoran fishhook barrel cacti seemingly defy the sharp spines below, with their intense colors ranging from orange to deep red. Edition size: 29 small; 29 large; artist: Sherry Shamroth.

Barrels of Fire ▼

Barrels of Fire

Cactus Garden ►

Cactus Garden©. Somewhere north of Tucson and East of Phoenix a little garden of fire barrel cactus and yucca is growing. This little garden is sprinkled with wild flowers accenting the rugged beauty of the cactus in every season. Let your eyes take a walk through this exciting garden. Edition size: 39 small; 15 large; artist: Sherry Shamroth.

◄ Cactus Rose

Cactus Rose© is the fantastical side of the Santa Rita cactus found throughout Southern Arizona. Dark green and red tough skin and sharp spines seem to belie the wonderful delicacy of the flowers. Catch cactus rose after the spring rains. Edition size: 89 small; 9 large; artist: Laurie Larwood.

Call of the Wild ►

Call of the Wild©. Gambel’s Quail enjoy the spring season by letting the world know that they are ready once again to take over the desert range and nearby woodlands. In a little while this guy will be leading his flock of hens and chicks as they skitter about. But right now, he is the proud king of the roost. Edition size: 49 small; 39 large; artist: Laurie Larwood.

◄ Come Closer

Come Closer© is the result of an early morning spent very nearly hugging a small trichocereus or torch cactus. Although the cactus is small, both the flowers and the spines are full size. Trichocereus invites a hug, but reminds me quickly if I get too close. Edition size: 89 small; large: Sorry, the large size is sold out; artist: Laurie Larwood.

Cresting

◄ Cresting

Cresting© might apply to the saguaro with a rare crest, or perhaps to the experience of this little black painopepla out enjoying the blossoms. The bird had the choice of many landing sites, but we assume he intentionally selected a location with both food and beauty. For the record, saguaros bloom in May through June and hold large delicate flowers on the tips of their enormous branches. Edition size: 29 small; 29 large; artist: Laurie Larwood.

Dappled Day ▲

Dappled Day©. Tiny clouds cross the sky on a warm spring day. Below the flowers enjoy weather of intermittent sun and shade moving gently across the field. Yuccas provide a little more shade, but even that shifts as this magical dappled day progresses. Edition size: 49 small; 35 large; artist: Laurie Larwood.

You are in Gallery 4-1 - Cactus, Flowers and Prickly Things - Quail Lane Studios

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One last comment: We know these images are tempting; they are also copyrighted. Downloading for printing or other copying is expressly forbidden.