<< Previous Next >>

Hawaiian Silver Sword


Hawaiian Silver Sword
Photo Information
Copyright: Scott Evers (scottevers7) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2431 W: 3 N: 3882] (12267)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-03-01
Categories: Flowers
Camera: Canon 20D, Canon EF 16-35 f/2.8L USM, B+W UV MRC
Exposure: f/22, 30 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): RARE or SIGNIFICANT contributions to TN 1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-04-09 22:34
Viewed: 1663
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Haleakala silversword is endemic to a (2,471-acre area at 2,100- to 3,000-m (6,890- to 9,843-ft) elevation in the crater and outer slopes of Haleakala Volcano, within Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii. It is the most famous member of the endemic Hawaiian silversword alliance, perhaps the premier example of evolutionary adaptive radiation in plants. This plant evolved in the Hawaiian Islands from a North American tarweed. The monocarpic (flowers only once, at the end of its lifetime) silversword matures from seed to its final flowering stage in about 15-50 years. The plant remains a compact rosette until it sends up an erect, central flowering stalk, sets seed, and dies. this plant species was near extinction in the 1920's because of human vandalism and browsing by goats and cattle. The plant has increased under protection and deserves attention as the most dramatic conservation success story of the Hawaiian Islands.
The silversword is a distinctive, globe-shaped rosette plant with rigid (swordlike), succulent leaves densely covered by silver hairs. When a plant flowers at the end of its life, it produces a spectacular flowering stalk 0.5-2.0 m (1.6-6.4 ft) tall, typically with hundreds of maroon sunflowerlike flower heads.The plants generally flower between June and September. This plant receives more attention from visitors to Haleakala National Park than any other plant or animal because of its striking appearance and restricted distribution.

Having been outside in wind chills of below zero tempratures taking sunrise pictures, I found a patch of Silver Sword plants. My hands were now so cold that I could barely work my camera. I only took a few photos of these extremely rare plants. Amazing to be looking at a plant that only grows on in such a limited and harsh environment. To say you saw one in person, you must go to the top of Haleakala Volcano.
Janice, Robbrown, marhowie, fungiman, sAner, liquidsunshine, Callie, PDP, hummingbird24, Luc, dew77, nixpix, Marlis, marjan, ScottHale, joeydrops has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To nixpix: Trip to Hawaiiscottevers7 1 07-30 13:14
To hummingbird24: Hawaiian Silver Swordscottevers7 1 04-12 11:26
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3316 W: 149 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2005-04-10 0:57]

What an interesting photo and note Scott. Very good capture of the Haleakala silversword and can I see in the distance some that must have flowered and are now dying? Your composition is good, considering the cold, and I can see by the angle of the light that is must have been sunrise. Great shot and well done.

Hi scott nice capture of this rare plant, good use of the morning light to add warmth ;0)) to it.
The silver hairs are a developement to act as a sun screen, a lot of plants that are either silver or hairy will be found to originate in ether hot dry condition like desserts or cold dry like here or on tundra.
Hope this is of use TFS Robert

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1490 W: 72 N: 1427] (4744)
  • [2005-04-10 4:26]

Very original & interesting. Colors are good, exposure is great and composition is very good too. TFS!

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2005-04-10 6:04]

This is stunning Scott. The lighting and exposure thereof is excellent. I also like the composition.

Very well done and thanks for posting

Good Morning Scott, This has great impact and very good detail. You've handled the light very well also. I like the long shadows that run through-out the frame. Interesting supporting note - Well done!!

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2156 W: 322 N: 4258] (16906)
  • [2005-04-10 21:14]

Scott, the composition master, this is another perfect one.

Besides, great pov and sharpness. A very nice close-up.

Interesting shot Scott,
I'm surprised the temperatures got so low. You've got a very good capture. Good details and composition.
This is a very interesting shot and the notes are very good and informative.
Thanks for posting and sharing this rare plant.

  • Great 
  • Callie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1132 W: 105 N: 2609] (7531)
  • [2005-04-11 16:27]

Hi Scot, neat note, lovely set of swords, do not know this. plant. Certain agave also flowers like this, then dies. TFS
PS, no problem about not commenting, its 4 days since I posted, work, work work and no time to play, except my sleeping time.

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2005-04-11 17:20]

Wow, they look like alien invaders! Great shot Scott. Lovley composition and a very interesting subject and note. Well done.

Wonderful capture and note. Good composition and detail, including the spent plants in the BG. Thank you for braving the cold for this posting.

I plead ignorance, Scott, for I do not understand why it is so cold in Hawaii? I thought it was a tropical paradise, could you enlighten me please?

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1873 W: 304 N: 4300] (14729)
  • [2005-04-12 20:41]

Personal assessment of the photo: great.
Good visual impact.
Aptness of the photo for the site: excellent.
Personal assessment of the note: complete.
Thanks Scott.

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2005-04-27 9:18]

Wonderful shot Scott!
I don't know how missed it before.Perspective,colors,DOF,lighting and composition are amazing.Thanks for sharing...:-)

  • Great 
  • optic Gold Star Critiquer [C: 322 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2005-05-30 21:50]

Look like fireworks ! very nice composition great details & sharpness,

Very well done Scott,

Regards,
Chrisitan

Scott it looks like the effort was worth the photo. Very clear and sharp even with shaky hands. I love the others in the background and the shadows of the rocks. A very dramatic plant. Well done.

Interesting image this Scott, and a great note to boot. Good light and choice of perspective. Will be visiting Hawaii for the first time next year and would love to get some tips before the time. Regards, Rob

Great DOF on this strange plant. I've only seen the top of Haleakala from a small plane, I'd love to go back and check it out again!

Thanks for sharing this beauty,

Alli

thanks Scott for posting this unusual shot of those fascinating plants.
To have one plant almost as a macro shot is most impressive.
Excellent lighting, lovely colors.
TFS
Marialuisa

Hi Scot, this is nice photo. Terific coloures and good explanation about it.
Marjan

Scott,
This capture is unbelieveable. The rarety of this plant is amazing. I like the close-up shot here. it has some good depth. I know what it's like to take pictures with freezing fingers but it didn't affect this shot.
Good work,
Scott

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF