Cholla at dusk, Mojave Desert

[pluton]

100mm at f/2, after sundown.

[Akira]

I love this.  The repetition of the patterns of the cactus in focus and the tree right behind it create a nice rhythm which is enhanced by the atmospheric lighting at dusk.  Personally I might want to cut the right-hand side of the frame to focus on the cactus and the sandy path on the left.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

The pretty backlighted cholla could be worth an image of its own. I feel it now becomes a little too insignificant in the grander scheme of the desert afternoon.

Chollas have a most interesting internal support structure that remains long after they are dead. I brought back some pieces of their "vented tubes" when Andrea and I visited Mojave in 2012.

[Frank Fremerey]

"the glowing Cactus" --- cool!

[Mikes]

Lovely capture, Keith. Nothing quite like being there at the right moment.

Its fascinating how the last rays of the sun have lit up the cactus, but nothing else. Quite ethereal!

[elsa hoffmann]

you really nailed the light there
but I think you could have nailed the composition a bit better

[pluton]

Thanks for all your comments.  I will cogitate upon the issue of possibly improving the composition.
Yes, the small cactus is swimming in a large sea of other things. I was attempting to preserve the surrounding 'environment' with the 100mm lens, which is a challenge.
Bjørn, I will check the archive for shots of Cholla 'skeletons'...they are fascinating.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

'Get closer'. The ubiquitous answer.

[simsurace]

100mm at f/2, after sundown.

Very atmospheric shot, I like the composition. A close-up portrait of the cactus alone would be nice as well, but the special thing about this shot, to me, is the mysterious fact that the cactus is seemingl onfire, while the surroundings are already being engulfed by dusk.

It reminds me of the sunset I witnessed quite recently in Joshua Tree, sitting atop a pile of granite boulders with a 360 view of the desert sinking into the night.

[pluton]

Simone:  Thanks. 
Here's a shot of a Cholla skeleton.