Prickly series........

Nikon D-3 105mm Macro lens, 1/30 second @ f/32, ISO 320

I have wondered how much the Cactus has been studied.  The life expectancy of the cactus plant is?  Does the plant react to animals and reptiles as it does to humans?  Do Cactus Needles die and fall off annually?  These are just a few of the questions I have for this plant.  I have had two interesting experiences of late with the cactus plant and it's need to cause pain.  The photo above was taken with my 105 macro lens at 1:1 ratio.  The light is late day sun.  Being that close to the plant and at 1:1 ratio I needed the extremely small aperture.  Fortunately the sun was bright allowing the 1/30 second shutter speed.  Of course the camera was on a tripod.  Really Right Stuff has an incredible macro mount that I use.  Rather than having to move the whole tripod or the whole camera, the mount allows very small movements.  At 1:1 any movement takes items out of critical focus.  Look for more risky shots of the infamous cactus plant.  Someone has to do it.  I'll take the bullet or in this case the needle for photography!