I was very happy with the way the Prickly Poppy (Argemone albiflora spp. texana) flower from the post two weeks ago turned out, so I decided to give some more of my cactus flowers the black and white treatment.

I searched through my recent photos, looking for candidates that might benefit from viewing in black and white. I didn’t have any specific qualities in mind, but when I saw a striking color image, I wondered what it would look like with the color gone.

I selected a few and then played with them in my photo processing software until I got a look I liked.

Here’s a trio of unopened Prickly Pears (Opuntia) flowers. There’s just a hint of color left. Watch out for the spines!

This is also a Prickly Pear flower, but it certainly doesn’t look like one. It almost looks like a rose or tulip as it opens. The spines give it away, though.

Another trio, this time of Lace Cactus (Echinocereus reichenbachii) flowers.

Black and white images certainly provide a different view of nature. With all, or most, of the color removed, your eye and mind can concentrate on the lines, shapes, and textures. You may notice something that you would have missed in a color image.

By showing a feature of nature in an unexpected or unusual way, they add to our appreciation of the natural world.

I hope you enjoy them!