Argentina & Chile November 2008 Day 6-Taltal - Antofagasta 300km

[David_L]

This is a rather poor long range shot taken of a plant across the road. I didn't make it close as it was a bit of a terrifying scramble up to it. This is definitely Copiapoa cinerea 'gigantea'


[attachment 16799 Copiapoa_cinerea_gigantea3.jpg]

[David_L]

While we looked at Copiapoas, we were being watched ourselves. This was obviously a good spot to catch a thermal and several turkey vultures were circling overhead.




[attachment 16800 Turkey_vulture.jpg]

[Mike P]

Valle Cascabeles sported a fine shrine as well as the Copiapoas...
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This one made use of a cave.

[Mike P]

The rocks were quite spectacular and the sea very blue.
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[Mike P]

Willy extracting seed pods with his 'industrial' scale tweezers.
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[Mike P]

Moving 15 minutes down the road we stopped again this time at Cachinalito to see Copiapoa haseltoniana
[attachment 16804 eeee1.jpg]
Here it is well set off against the ocean.
I love the way they lose their lower spines and turn a most wonderful shade of orange.

[Mike P]

And a close up.
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[Mike P]

[attachment 16806 eeeeee1.jpg]
And another.

[David_L]

That's a super close up of haseltoniana Mike.

[Ross M]

Great photos Mike. I understand that the orange/red colour and loss of white farina is a sign that the plant hasn't grown for some years (possibly decades) and is in a state of, often terminal, decline.