The perspective from which we view the world changes everything! The circle of brilliant pink flowers caught my eye as I was hiking in Tucson Mountain Park. Without the flowers, I might not have noticed the cactus.
From six feet up in the air, this little cactus was a pretty insignificant part of my view of the landscape. Wondering to myself what this would look like from the perspective of the Desert Tortoise, I got down on my hands and knees, and then laid down full length on the ground.
What had been a tiny cactus suddenly became a fortified tower ringed with flowers, a significant part of the landscape. Nothing had changed... except my perspective. And that made all the difference.
___________________
This cactus photo makes an exceptional desktop photo for your computer.
(I don't copyright my photos anymore.
Feel free to use it as you wish.)
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I love these little things - I have some in my garden. Isn't it GREAT when you get a fresh perspective!!??
Mike,
"The perspective from which we view the world changes everything!" AMEN!
Although I'm not sure I want to be nose to nose with the tortoise. That is how I met my first Dimondback, nose to nose about a foor apart.
Bill
Bill,
I remember your story about that Diamondback Rattlesnake. Fortunately, the Tortoise just eats vegetables and flowers. :)
Cara,
Thanks for being the first to comment on my post today, and congratulations on achieving your goal of "top ten" AR bloggers in Tucson! Keep on blogging!
Mike in Tucson
Awesome shots, Mike. Those pretty flowers are thorn bait for three year olds. I speak from recent experience.
Very thought provoking post, Mike! And, great photos.
Mike:
Now I know how a tortoise views cactus flowers and it is a pretty interesting perspective. I just don't think I really want to be head-on with the tortoise like that. How big is he?
Wish I could see something like that in my neck of the woods!
Cool photo. What are you shooting with? Stats?
I don't, personally, care for cactus much, but as usual it's a great photo. ANd hoe nice that you allow people to use the photos!
Leslie,
I got the idea from reading Seth Godin's LINCHPIN.
Dave,
It's an inexpensive point and shoot ~ Panasonic Lumix.
Margaret,
You'll just have to come visit us!
Claudette,
He's harmless; he only eats veggies. This one was 14" long and 6" high.
Fred,
Thanks!
Paul,
Ouch! You're a good Dad, and I love your posts.
Mike in Tucson
It always is surprising to see these beautiful flowers from such a prickly plant! THX for sharing!
Hi Mike, Great pic and, as usual, great analogy.
Mike
You know if we could spot something like this on lets Mars, we would spend trillions to investigate and explore it. Here on earth, we run them over and walk past them all day long. But I want to believe that other creatures respect it even other cactus, for what it is.......amazing....Thank you for allowing to express these thought via your good post
Great shot, Mike. And, I did copy it for my computer. It looks great, thanks!
Beautiful to look at, but not something I'd like to accidentally sit on!
I like your perspective, Mike. A couple of years ago I thought it would be fun to shoot a whole series of photos from 2-3 feet off the ground and call it "Through the Eyes of a Child." Haven't done it yet ... someday.
Mike, that is a great picture of the cactus.
You are getting so creative. I hope you lay a blanket or something on the ground to protect you (somewhat) from whatever may be hiding under the rocks or nearby!!!!!!
Oh, duh! The photo is lovely. I love the color of those flowers.
Great photo! Saw many of these (but I didn't get the pro photo) when we visited AZ last fall. Just georgous. Thanks!
Hi Mike, Perspective can and often does change everything. But getting that close to this leaning tower of needles ( despite the flowers), a tortoise just knows better than to do, LMAO Wonderful photo.
I have posted a few pictures n the past like that, if you stop for a few min and look areound i mean really look around you will see lots of things!!
Clever idea, Mike. It certainly is impressive-looking from that angle.
Cool, buddy. It's funny you mention it, I was driving yesterday and thought to myself, you know, your perspective on situations really determines how big or how small you make issues.
A beautiful photograph and a beautiful thought, Mike. I DO love your photos of Arizona.
That thing is a monster to a desert tortoise! They'd just have a hard time reaching those yummy flowers! Great pic/post Mike!
Ah perspective. If I were a Scorpion and I saw a huge creature coming down to my level, I might want to take defensive measures.
MMmmmmmmm.
Lenn,
We ALWAYS look down to see what might be there... I friend here in the neighborhood didn't do that, and stepped on a scorpion with bare feet. He jumped (my friend, that is) in the air, and came down on the same scorpion with the other foot!
Bob,
Those flowers are about eyeball height for the Tortoise. yummy!
Margaret,
Thank you!!
Keith,
Thanks for stopping by to comment. See you (and those little ones too) on your blog.
Jane,
Why, thank you, maam!
Ken,
It's the truth!
William,
...leaning tower of needles. I like that!
Curt,
I'll bet you got a bunch of good photos from your trip. Come again!
Doreen,
No blanket. I did look around carefully, though...
Ted,
Thanks for saying so!
John,
That sounds like a lot of fun! I hope you do it.
Richard,
No, you wouldn't!
Dorie,
Thank you! I'm honored.
Richie,
You're welcome! See you on your blog.
Bill,
:)
Joan,
You're very welcome!
Mike in Tucson
Very cool photo, Mike. I use the same “change the perspective” approach when photographing homes for listings. It’s amazing how much impact a different perspective can have.
HI Mike - another great analogy, and you are right, it is all about perspective. Your posts are inspirational to me today - thanks!
Sharon,
You're welcome! Comments like yours inspire me to keep on keeping on.
Bill,
I'll have to come visit your blog and check out the photos. Thanks for stopping by.
Mike in Tucson