Agave Spikes
by Alan Socolik
Title
Agave Spikes
Artist
Alan Socolik
Medium
Photograph - Digitally Manipulated
Description
This artwork began as landscape or still life photograph of a beautiful agave in the Red Rock Canyon, National Conservation Area, outside Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. I like this abstract version even better than the original photo. It is square, for a contemporary look.
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Chiefly Mexican, agaves are also native to the southern and western United States and central and tropical South America. They are succulents with a large rosette of thick, fleshy leaves, each ending generally in a sharp point and with a spiny margin; the stout stem is usually short, the leaves apparently springing from the root. Along with plants from the related genus Yucca, various Agave species are popular ornamental plants.
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Each rosette is monocarpic and grows slowly to flower only once. During flowering, a tall stem or "mast" grows from the center of the leaf rosette and bears a large number of short, tubular flowers. After development of fruit, the original plant dies, but suckers are frequently produced from the base of the stem, which become new plants
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It is a common misconception that agaves are cacti. They are not related to cacti, nor are they closely related to Aloe whose leaves are similar in appearance.
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The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Nevada is an area managed by the Bureau of Land Management as part of its National Landscape Conservation System, and protected as a National Conservation Area. It is located about 15 miles (24 km) west of Las Vegas, and easily seen from the Las Vegas Strip. The area is visited by over 1 million visitors each year.
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The conservation area showcases a set of large red rock formations: a set of sandstone peaks and walls called the Keystone Thrust. The walls are up to 3,000 feet (910 m) high, making them a popular hiking and rock climbing destination. The highest point is La Madre Mountain, at 8,154 feet (2,485 m).
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A one-way loop road, 13 miles (21 km) long, provides vehicle access to many of the features in the area. Several side roads and parking areas allow access to many of the trails located in the area. A visitor center is located at the start of the loop road. The loop road is very popular for bicycle touring; it begins with a moderate climb, then is mostly downhill or flat.
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Red Rock Canyon itself is a side-canyon accessible only by four-wheel-drive road off of the scenic loop. The unnamed but often visited valley cut through by State Route 159 is commonly, but incorrectly, referred to as Red Rock Canyon. The massive wall of rock called the Wilson Cliffs, or Keystone Thrust, can be seen to the west along this highway.
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Towards the southern end of the National Conservation Area are Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, the western ghost town replica attraction of Bonnie Springs, and the village of Blue Diamond.
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Red Rock provides a wide variety of activities, the most popular being hiking, biking, rock scrambling, and rock climbing. Horseback riding and camping are also allowed on specific trails and designated areas. Automobile and motorcycle clubs such as Flat 4 LV (Subaru enthusiasts club) often do group drives through the 13-mile scenic drive. ATV use is not permitted in the area.
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Aside from the obvious dangers from climbing rock faces and cliffs, visitors should know that temperatures can routinely exceed 105 degrees F (41 degrees C) in the summer, so bringing plenty of water is a must. Visitors hiking into the backcountry off established trails should never go alone, and should inform other people of their plans. There is also the threat of venomous rattlesnakes and flash flooding/lightning from thunderstorms.
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Red Rock has hiking trails and picnic areas. Trails are changed and diverted depending upon the needs of the ecosystem. In early spring, depending upon the precipitation, it is possible to see waterfalls on the edge of the canyons.
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Wildfires in Red Rock, especially those in the loop area, allow visitors to see both the damage caused by these events as well as the ability of the desert to heal itself over time. While wildfires are nothing new to the Red Rock Area, recent fires seemed to have been in part fueled by the thick growth of non-native red brome and cheat grasses. They provide fuel for fires and also compete with the native plants in the area for resources. So far there have been no plans to control these weeds, as control methods such as using herbicides can be both costly and also damaging to the native plants.
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Most of text above copied/paraphrased from wikipedia.org
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FEATURED PHOTO, Fine Art America SQUARE Format Photography and Art Group, 12/14/2012
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FEATURED PHOTO, USA Artist News, 12/15/2012
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FEATURED PHOTO, FAA Photography the Fine Art Group, 12/21/2012
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FIRST PLACE, FAA Contest - Cacti and Succulents, 12/26/2012
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FEATURED PHOTO, Collectors Treasures, 12/28/2012
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FEATURED PHOTO, Photography Showcase Newspaper, 1/10/2013
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FEATURED PHOTO, FAA 1000 Views on 1 Image Group, 2/8/2017
Uploaded
December 7th, 2012
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Viewed 3,795 Times - Last Visitor from Houston, TX on 03/28/2024 at 5:52 AM
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Comments (59)
Gary F Richards
Outstanding agave composition, lighting, shading, lovely green color and artwork! F/L voted
Gary F Richards
Outstanding greenery composition, lighting, lovely shading, beautiful green color and artwork! F/L voted
Sarah Irland
Congratulations, Alan, on your Win in the Pointy and Sharp Contest. What a beautiful photograph! Voted.
Larry Kniskern
Congratulations, Alan – your “green things” scene has been featured by the Go Take a Hike Photography Group! Feel free to add it to the 2021 Featured Images thread in the group discussion board for archive.
Christopher James
One of your peers nominated this image in the 1000 views Groups nominated images by your fellow artist in the Special Features #6 promotion discussion. Please visit and pass on the love to another artist.
HH Photography of Florida
Nominated for a Special Feature in the 1000 Views On 1 Image group. Beautiful capture and processing. l/fv/tw
Christopher James
Congratulation.....your wonderful work has been featured in the 1000 Views on 1 Image Group l/f/p
Alan and Marcia Socolik
FEATURED PHOTO, Photography Showcase Newspaper, 1/10/2013 ... Thanks, Edward!
Arlene Carmel
WOW!!! Amazing capture. Had to comment on this one. Surprise gallery visit froon the ABC group! f/v
Alan and Marcia Socolik
Thanks, Krista, for featuring this photo in the Collectors Treasures group, 12/28/2012