Photographs: "Watered Epis, Spring Lunar Eclipse" series

"Spring Eclipse Watered Epis" 

These Spring Epis bloomed from a cactus that has never flowered before -
two days after the lunar eclipse to live for five days after -
these flowers lived an extended life span, three days more than usual.
These photos were taken on the last day of their life -
recording their darkening textures and colours as they passed away.

Camera: Sony DSC-RX100 (pocket camera)

Conditions: Natural light, late morning, water shower, no tripod, no flash

Location: Los Angeles, April 2014 Lunar Eclipse

Poem by Karin Lisa Atkinson
"Bring Me Home, Home, After All" 

"When I smell only longing from every person in the universe

My ever more tranquil heart understands that it is a fish's -

I am not merely human." 
- L. Olziitogs

Epiphyllum flowers - Epis for short, are named for the Greek word "upon the leaf". Genus of 19 species of epiphytic plants in the cactus family (Cactaceae), native to Central America. Common names for these species include orchid cacti and leaf cacti (genus Pereskia). Epis are blooming right now in my neighbourhood.

  

Epis have healing properties, are native only to the Americas, just like Hummingbirds. In traditional lore, both mean internal transformation manifesting into external physical presence. Epiphyllum species are added to some versions of the hallucinogenic drink ayahuasca.

Fruit of Epiphyllum anguliger with broad and flat stems, 1–5 cm broad, 3–5 mm thick, usually with lobed edges. The flowers are large, 8–16 cm diameter, white to red, with numerous petals. The fruit is edible, similar to the pitaya fruit. The broad-leaved epiphyllum (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) is particularly well-known, and bear large, strongly fragrant flowers, which bloom for a single night only. Many Epis bloom for 2 to 3 days.

Photographs: "Newborn City of Angel Epis, Spring Lunar Eclipse" series

"Lunar Eclipse Newborn Epis" 

These Lunar Eclipse newborn Epis bloomed from a cactus that has never flowered before,
these images were recorded the morning of the eclipse -
they passed away five days later, which is a more extended life time than usual.

Camera: Sony DSC-RX100 M2 (pocket camera)

Conditions: Natural light, windy, mid-morning, no post colour correction, no tripod, no flash

Location: Los Angeles, California (April 2014 Lunar Eclipse)

Poem by Karin Lisa Atkinson
 "Play Out Gentle Notes of Forgiveness" 

Epiphyllum flowers - Epis for short, are named for the Greek word "upon the leaf". Genus of 19 species of epiphytic plants in the cactus family (Cactaceae), native to Central America. Common names for these species include orchid cacti and leaf cacti (genus Pereskia). Epis are blooming right now in my neighbourhood.

  

Epis have healing properties, are native only to the Americas, just like Hummingbirds. In traditional lore, both mean internal transformation manifesting into external physical presence. Epiphyllum species are added to some versions of the hallucinogenic drink ayahuasca.

Fruit of Epiphyllum anguliger with broad and flat stems, 1–5 cm broad, 3–5 mm thick, usually with lobed edges. The flowers are large, 8–16 cm diameter, white to red, with numerous petals. The fruit is edible, similar to the pitaya fruit. The broad-leaved epiphyllum (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) is particularly well-known, and bear large, strongly fragrant flowers, which bloom for a single night only. Many Epis bloom for 2 to 3 days.

"City of Angel Epis"

Older cactus which flowers new blooms once a year.

These flowers bloomed three days before the lunar eclipse -

and lived an extended life past the eclipse for another three days, 

altogether they lived three days longer than they usual do each year.

Camera: Sony DSC-RX100  (pocket camera)

Conditions: Natural light, windy, mid-morning, no post colour correction, no tripod, no flash

Location: Los Angeles, April 2014 Lunar Eclipse

Poem by Karin Lisa Atkinson

 "Soften My Position" 

Epiphyllum flowers - Epis for short, are named for the Greek word "upon the leaf". Genus of 19 species of epiphytic plants in the cactus family (Cactaceae), native to Central America. Common names for these species include orchid cacti and leaf cacti (genus Pereskia). Epis are blooming right now in my neighbourhood.

  

Epis have healing properties, are native only to the Americas, just like Hummingbirds. In traditional lore, both mean internal transformation manifesting into external physical presence. Epiphyllum species are added to some versions of the hallucinogenic drink ayahuasca.

Fruit of Epiphyllum anguliger with broad and flat stems, 1–5 cm broad, 3–5 mm thick, usually with lobed edges. The flowers are large, 8–16 cm diameter, white to red, with numerous petals. The fruit is edible, similar to the pitaya fruit. The broad-leaved epiphyllum (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) is particularly well-known, and bear large, strongly fragrant flowers, which bloom for a single night only. Many Epis bloom for 2 to 3 days.