“I am not interested in shooting new things – I am interested to see things new.”
~Ernst Haas
Succulent Green
Cactus Garden
Spines
Reaching
Cactus Friends
Surprise
The Prickly Gang
Red Top
Nice Threads
Blooming
Desert Impression
Cactus Adventures
From the Huntington Botanical Garden website:
The Huntington Desert Garden is one of the largest and oldest assemblages of cacti and other succulents in the world. Nearly 100 years old, it has grown from a small area on the Raymond fault scarp when in 1907-1908 William Hertrich brought in plants from local nurseries, private residences, public parks, and from collection trips to the Southwest and Mexican deserts. Today the two dozen families of succulents and other arid adapted plants have developed into a 10-acre garden display, the Huntington’s most important conservation collection, a vital mission and challenge.
Jane Lurie Photography 
This is a beautiful photo site. Incredible 🙂
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The pictures are just great!
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Thanks so much, Hikeminded. This garden is phenomenal. 🙂
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I love these grayscale photos as I find each one is lush in its own unique beauty and reminiscent of sea plant!
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I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Jaya. Thanks very much. 😊
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Where have I been? This eye candy was sitting right in my inbox, just waiting for the right moment I guess. The wonderful lead photograph goes well with the Haas quote. “Spines” and “Reaching” make for an interesting pair. And “Cactus Friends” is full of gentle humor. Pretty light in that image, too. I like the low-key look of “Surprise” that brings out the repeating motif of all those Opuntia spines – I love them. So nice with the splash of red. “Nice Threads” offers more of that generous-spirited humor of yours. The intentional camera movement image feels more wet than dry to me, all the prickliness having disappeared into cool-toned waves. Why not? The last photo is important, in my view, because one has no idea of the immensity of teh garden until one sees those people walking among the desert plants. Wow! Thanks for the unique tour of this garden. I remember wanting to stay longer when I was there – it’s great that it’s in your own backyard now. 🙂
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Thank you, thank you Lynn! Such fun to read your reaction to these. Happy you enjoyed this collection. It’s a place of refuge for me, for sure. Glad you liked them! 🙂
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Reblogged this on Mihran-Kalaydjian Real Talk and commented:
Beautiful light in these macros and close ups
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Thanks so much, Mihran.😊
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Beautiful light in these macros and close ups, Jane. I think “Nice Threads” is my favorite.
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Thank you, Susan. Glad you enjoyed this special place and Nice Threads in particular. Hope all is well with you.
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All’s well, Jane, and I hope the same for you!
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Beautiful
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Thanks so much, Abhi. 🙂
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Jane I love the way you always find different beautiful perspectives in your photos
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Thanks, Andy. So nice to read. I tried to tell a story of the place…I’m happy you think I succeeded. Much appreciated!
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Your pictures made me feel as if i am looking them in live👏👏👏
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Hi Sangeeta, That’s such a nice compliment. Glad to bring you to this special place. Thank you. 🙂
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Another brilliant series, Jane. In addition to the photos, your first quote “I am not interested in shooting new things – I am interested to see things new” is the perfect way to look at life and especially with a
lens. Your work over the years has shown this gift you have, and it is always a mesmerizing experience to see what you come up with. You never disappoint 🙂
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Thank you, Randall. That means a lot and I appreciate you taking the time to view my posts. Like you, I’m always looking and hoping to see things in a new way. 🙂
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I love the quote – and the pictures. Who knew there were so many. Most of them are pretty good about suggested hands off!
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Hi Lisa, Thank you! That was one of my first reactions- so many different types of desert plants. There are signs everywhere about touching…and eating! 🙂
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Eating! Now that would be a great photo – someone nibbling on its edges. Ha, ha.
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Some have tasty looking berries…
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Nature is an art of itself. I just published my first story and I’m sure it’ll be with your while 😊
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Thank you, Amelia. Good luck with your blog.
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Thanks very much, Michael. 🙂
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Yes!
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Beautiful, beautiful garden. Are the visitors anyone we know? 🙂
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Thanks, David. It’s a spectacular spot. That father and daughter were having a nice moment together, unaware that I was following. 🙂
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Oh man, Jane. These images are INCREDIBLE. Sublime photography with a master’s processing touch!! 🙂
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Thanks so much, Frank. So glad you like this series and the processing- that means a lot. “Less is more.” 🙂
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Love the opening quote, and I feel that you really lived up tp it. Gorgeous photos. Especially love the first one.
Alison
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Thank, Alison. Haas’s quote is a good reminds. Pleased you enjoyed my viewpoint of the desert garden. So much to see. 🙂
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So glad you mentioned this post on Monochromia. The challenge to visit other blogs is ever present, as you know, but I am so glad that I saw this post. These are some stunning images, Jane. Wonderful!
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Hi Laurie, Thanks for looking and I’m happy you enjoyed the photos. The Desert Garden is quite amazing- you would have such fun with your lens. 🙂 I’m with you, it’s hard manage viewing other blogs but it’s fun when time allows.
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Your discerning eye sees so much more than most of us do. Thanks for taking us along for these.
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Thank you, Ruth. I’m happy you enjoyed these. 🙂 It is a wonderful place to wander and observe.
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My native Arizonan heart loved the subject matter. My eye loved your captures. 💜
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Hi Kewtie, So glad to bring you back to your desert roots. You sure are far away from home. 🙂 Happy you enjoyed these images- thanks very much. 💜
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What a splendid garden. You’ve found the perfect details (as always!) Wish I was close enough to visit… wish I could get out to the desert again someday… 😏
Of course Cactus Adventures was my hands down favorite!!! That garden is phenomenal.
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Thanks, Gunta. The desert sure would be a departure from your world. Pleased you enjoyed these- I always find something new each time I go. I’m glad I remembered to put the Adventure photo in to show how amazing it is to stroll through this garden. 🙂
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Once upon a time (before Covid) I used to love the dramatic change of scene when visiting the desert. I’m hoping someday we may be able to revisit again for that jolt of “fresh eyes” when exploring new environments. I’m glad you remembered to include Adventure. It was the frosting on the delicious cake. 🤗
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Thanks, Gunta!🤗
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Yes dear friend!
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Ah, the Huntington Botanical Garden. I remember one of the first persons to follow my original blog spent a year posting about this garden, it seems like a magical place where I could definitely spend a lot of time. Your succulents/cacti images are superb Jane, they make the most fantastic textural photos.
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Hi Jude, Glad you’re familiar with the Huntington. It’s such a large and diverse garden, you could spend a year posting about it. It’s been a welcome refuge, especially the desert garden. The rose garden is amazing when it blooms, too. Thanks for enjoying these- much appreciated. 🙂
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You captured so many interesting and mesmerizing patterns and I love them!
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Thanks so much, YC. So glad you like all the interesting details! 🙂
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It’s just loveable!
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Seeing these stunning photos, I saw and learned new things. Thank you for sharing, Jane.
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Thanks very much, Greta. That makes it the most rewarding. Very happy you enjoyed them. 🙂
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Wow, all those spines. Beautifully photographed as always
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Thanks very much, MM. Such fun to look at all the unusual details. Glad you enjoyed them. 🙂
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Stunning as always Jane but Desert Impression is the winner for me…but you knew that already 🙂
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Thanks so much, Andrew. Happy and not surprised about Impression… what you would do with your paintbrush here. And your camera for that matter. 🙂 Hope all is well up north.
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All’s well except for the wretched anti vaxxers. I know you’ve got yours too. Let’s hope for better days ahead with focus on our beautiful grandchildren, yours and ours, who are the lights of our lives. Warmest wishes as always 💕
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As Pete Seeger sang, “We Shall Overcome…” Enjoy your grandkids and keep on making your beautiful art. ❤️
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Fabulous images Jane. Love the composition of some of the photos as well as the contrast in colours. 👍👍
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Thanks so much, Mike. There’s always something to examine more closely in this desert garden. Such interesting plant life. Glad you enjoyed! 🙂
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Love these!
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Thanks, Sharon. This is such a fun place to explore- maybe you’ve been.
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Beautiful images, Jane! I love Huntington Gardens, their cacti/succulent collection is particularly memorable. Barrel cactus are like prickly Minions! 🙂
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Thanks, Eliza. I’m so glad you’ve been- you may have told me that at some point. It’s really a stellar garden experience. Minions– I love it! 🙂
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Love these!
Sent from my iPad
>
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Thanks, Sue! 🙂
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Amazing and beautiful, Jane! The last photo is wowza!! I would love to visit this garden.
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Thanks, Donna! I’m glad I remembered the last wide shot with the father and daughter. It really gives a sense of place. 🙂
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Ooh, I’d be very happy here with my camera! I love the sculptural shapes of the cacti, especially in your monochrome shots (and I include the all-green of Cactus friends in that!), and the ICM in Desert Impression is so effective. Great selection, as always!
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I am sure you’d love this place, Sarah. It feels a bit otherworldly and every cactus is begging to be photographed. Glad you like those shots in particular– the monochrome was a pleasant surprise. I must go back and work on some more impressions. Thank you very much. 🙂
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Absolutely super photos! Thank you for sharing.
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Thanks so much, Sandy. 🙂
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A pleasure.🙂
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I’ve never seen a cactus garden, what a cool place. Terrific shot, the B&W “Cactus Garden” is such a wealth of textures and unusual shapes, and the reds blossoms/thorns in your other shots are beautiful, too.
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Oh, wow, Robert, then this is even more rewarding to show you. Glad you like the B&W- I was excited how it accentuates exactly what you noted. Thanks very much and I’m pleased you enjoyed them.
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Fine collection💫, yet again. ‘Blooming’ has been extremely refreshing, even with cacti.
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Thanks so much, VM. This place is a special experience.
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I like your prickly pics. Botanical gardens are good for the occasional stroll. You highlighted it well!
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Thanks, Jerry. It has been a fantastic place to find refuge and get creative. So glad you enjoyed these. 🙂
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Must be a beautiful cactus garden.
I’m really impressed by the pictures where you get very close and you can see all the details.
Excellent series, Jane.
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Thanks, Rabirius. I really love exploring the close-up details. Nature is amazing. Happy you enjoyed. 🙂
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Beautiful set, Jane!
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Thank you, Harrie! 🙂
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I’ve always loved how you photograph succulents and this collection is why. So much fun here and such a wonderful diversity and very cool way of seeing these kooky plants! This is right up there as one of my favorites of yours. Thanks.
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Aw, how nice to read, Freddie. Thank you so much. You are so right, there are so many kooky shapes and unusual cacti, it’s a photography wonderland! I feel like I’ve just “pricked” the surface… 🙂
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What a fine saying and what exquisite photography.
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Thank you, Paula. I love to get lost in these marvelous plants. You sure take Haas’s quote to heart in your work. 🙂
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That’s a good way of thinking as a photographer 🙂
The dessert garden is realy great, never seen one like this.
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Hi Rudi, Haas’s quote always reminds me to strive to see in new ways. Happy you enjoyed these- thank you so much.
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Wonderful! Brings back memories of visiting cacti gardens in the Canaries.
✨🙏🕉☀🌙⚖🪔🕊♾🈚☯🌍🐲🙋♂️
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Thank you, Graham. Glad these brought back good memories– must have been special in the Canaries. I just looked them up– wow!
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Oh yes! Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are very special places.
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Yes!
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So beautiful, Jane! You are always an inspiration and an innovative role model! Thank you for the walk and the crisp cacti!
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Thank you, Ann-Christine. That’s so nice to read. I’m pleased you enjoyed my finds in this wonderful desert garden. Hope all is well with you. 🙂
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All is well, thank you, Jane. I’d love to have a garden to visit right now though…glad to have found yours.
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Fantastic photos! And what a beautiful place to visit!
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Thanks, Stuart. I feel lucky to have this and a couple of other public gardens nearby. A great place to find refuge and some willing subjects. 🙂
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Beautiful!
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Thanks so much, Detlef. 🙂
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There’s something fascinating about cacti, isn’t there? There are some gorgeous images here, jane, and I particularly like those with a hint of flame, especially. Blooming.
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Thanks, Jo. Yes, very fascinating and I could wander here for hours. Such unusual blooms when they happen. Soon there will be some that only bloom for a day. 🙂
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Wonderful post! I love the opening sentence, Ernst Haas is one of my favorites.
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Thank you, Ana. And I’m glad you love Haas. That quote hits home, especially since I’ve been to this garden dozens of times and I always see something in a new way. 🙂
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Oh wow! Such exquisiteness!! Love love the threads 💕 💖
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Thanks so much, Therese. Such fun to photograph. I need to note the name of the plant with the curly threads. 🙂
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Absolutely beautiful
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Thanks so much, Alesi. Appreciate your visit. 🙂
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Oh wow, these are unbelievable! I love them!!
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Thanks, Lisa. I love to spend time here– plants from all over the world and the desert garden is most impressive.
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Oh amazing pics! The Huntington’s have really done a wonderful job 👏
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Thank you, Lamittan. Yes, it is quite an impressive place and wonderful that it is now a public library and botanical garden.
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Quite a great inspiration to the world indeed. You’re most welcome, Jane.
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You’ve got some great abstractions here.
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Thanks, Steve. They are so interesting to seek out and create.
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Very nice series of desert images. Love the Desert Impression very much. We visited there two years ago and love the desert garden most.
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Hi Stephen, So glad you’ve been- it’s exciting to experience. Soon the cacti will be blooming so that will be fun. I need to work on some more impressions- it’s a great place for creating them. Thanks very much. 🙂
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Beautiful images and cacti.
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Thanks so much, Brad. Glad you stopped by! 🙂
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Oh, Jane – You stopped me in my tracks. The combination of close but far enough followed by a macro was perfect for my eyes because you set up the macro. Love seeing the details. Thank you for capturing and sharing!
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Thanks, Frank. Your reaction means a lot. Sounds like I gave you a good sense of place, and it’s one of my favorites to photograph. 🙂
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😃
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Ooh these are neat Jane! Nice to be so closeup without having to prick my nose –
These are terrific ! … I couldn’t imagine where in the world you were – thanks for sharing 🙂 ds
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Thanks so much, Diane. Feel lucky that we have three wonderful public gardens near us. The Huntington is a special place and the Desert Garden is quite amazing. Hope you are doing well! 🙂
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Always love how you title your wonderful photos…. These were all a treat!
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Thanks, Linda. I do have fun with titles. Pleased you enjoyed this special spot- my refuge. 🙂
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All stunning, but you saved the best for last!!
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Thanks, Cindy. Happy you enjoyed – especially that last one…very sweet to capture. 💚
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Oh my gosh! Jane, your photos of the cactus are fantastic! And I kinda love them. I’d love to visit this place with my little Nikon Z50. ❤️
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Hi John, Thank you. So glad you love them. 😄 I love this place– so many unusual cacti, it’s very otherworldly. Enjoy your new Nikon!
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Thanks!
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Nice snaps..
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Thank you, Athira. Appreciate your visit. 🙂
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My pleasure Jane
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