Teddy Bear Tribbles
Ajo, Arizona
2024
Teddy bear cholla is a misleading name for my favorite species of cholla cactus. They are so named because when the sun shines through them, their long spines give off the soft warm look of a cuddly teddy bear, when in fact they are quite the opposite of cuddly. This smattering of small balls of teddy bear cholla joints (which fall off the cactus and snag passersby, hence spreading the plant elsewhere in the desert) reminded me of tribbles of Star Trek fame. This, my second Star Trek reference in a week, refers to the classic episode “The Trouble With Tribbles” broadcast in the second season of the orginal Star Trek series back in 1967. Per Wikipedia, “In this comic episode, the starship Enterprise visits a space station that soon becomes overwhelmed by rapidly reproducing small furry creatures called “tribbles.”
Teddy bear chollas – I named the babies that litter the ground in the spring – tennis ball rejects, because I had just finished watching Wimbledon! I love your image of them.
I love them, but I keep a wide berth..
I really like your black and white images and look forward to looking at them in August Lensworks.
Thanks Judy. The bonus edition of LensWork titled “Shadows” that features my work is out now, for subscribers to either the print or digital versions of LensWork.
Two years ago I had one of your “tennis ball rejects” hitch a ride on a shoe when I was out hiking in Arizona. I brought it home to Montana with me and planted it in a pot in the house. It’s now about five times the height it was, with two new arms. It seems to really like the spot I put it in an east facing window over a heat vent. I water it a bit once a week and it takes care of itself otherwise. We call it “Teddy” for obvious reasons.