Saguaro Lightning
by Douglas Taylor
Title
Saguaro Lightning
Artist
Douglas Taylor
Medium
Photograph - 35mm Film
Description
I have an indelible memory from this stormy summer night near Tucson, Arizona. I was starting down a popular nature trail in Saguaro National Park (West) as the storm was breaking. Lightning was starting to strike down very close nearby and I was hurrying to find a place to set up with the foreground I desired. Someone was running towards me, and just as the shadow approached a big lightning bolt struck with an enormous “CRACK”. The bright discharge illuminated the terrified face of a woman running with tripod and camera in hand, and with the immediate and intense thunder she screamed. Needless to say, we did not pause to exchange pleasantries as we each went our separate ways.
Lightning is the leading cause of premature death for the tall saguaro cactus. The extreme heat of the lightning strike will instantly turn the water saturated tissues of the cactus to steam, and the resulting steam explosion usually truncates the main stem anywhere between 12 and 18 feet above the ground, and total destruction has been observed. However, the power of life in these giants is such that I have observed the bottom section remain alive, and even regrow stems and arms!
Uploaded
January 4th, 2013
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Comments (13)
Douglas Taylor
Chosen by Doug Norkum to be a feature in the Light Rays and Lightning art group, 8/3/20. Thank you, Doug!
Jan Mulherin
Congratulations!! This beautiful image has been selected to be featured for the week in the “Shadow Silhouettes and Reflections Outdoors” Group Home Page. You are welcome to add a preview of this featured image to the group’s discussion post titled “2020 April: Stunning Group Featured Images and Thank-you’s” for a permanent display within the group, to share this achievement with others. You are also welcome to share your featured image on our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/247552766180931/ Thank you for your participation in the group! (April 22, 2020)
Douglas Taylor
I am honored by Cathy Anderson who has chosen to feature my photograph "Saguaro Lightning" in the Monthly Theme and Artist Promotion art group, 3/17/20. Thank you, Cathy!
Douglas Taylor
Gordon Mooneyhan has chosen to feature "Saguaro Lightning" in the Wild Weather Around the World art group, 3/6/20. Thank you, Gordon. I consider it to be an honor.
Douglas Taylor
I am honored by Jenny Revitz Soper who has chosen to feature "Saguaro Lightning" in the No Place Like Home art group, 2/23/20. Thank you, Jenny!
Douglas Taylor
Chosen by Jeff at JSJ Photography to be a feature in the Silhouettes - Outdoors art group, 2/16/20. Thank you, Jeff!
Douglas Taylor
Colette V. Hera Guggenheim has honored me by choosing to feature my photograph "Saguaro Lightning" in the Colors Blue Turquoise Photography and Paints art group, 2/10/20. Thank you, Colette!
Douglas Taylor
Steve Estvanik has honored me by choosing to feature "Saguaro Lightning" in the Purely Landscape Colour Photography art group, 2/10/20. Thank you, Steve!
Douglas Taylor
Doug Norkum has chosen to feature "Saguaro Lightning" in the Silhouettes art group, 2/9/20. Thank you, Doug!
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