Sentinals of the Xeriscape by choronr
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Description
What made me feel inspired to create this image was a situation that occurred a few weeks ago as we had a considerable amount of rain and high winds. While driving down one of the main streets the day after, I noticed that two giant Saguaros were blown over partially lying on the street. There were city crews there to remove them from the street. I couldn't believe it; they were using chain saws cutting them apart to haul them away! These specimens were about two hundred years old - what a pity. Those in the desert never blow over from high winds since they are deeply rooted.
The city could have called out the one of the special Saguaro nurseries here to transplant them safely instead of throwing them away in a dump - what a way to go after such a long life! Such are the brains of the big city politicians; who, in the first place should never have allowed these endangered species to be planted in the city street landscapes. So much for my rant.
This image reminds me much of the desert that is close to my home. It contains the following models:
� Saguaro models by 'lightning'.
� Dry Shrub by Walli.
� Mouse-eared Chickweed by 'Walli'.
� Graz7 by 'klas'.
� Rainbow Cactus from a friend.
Note: The leaf .tif files of the Dry Shrub were brought into an editor to recolor it by adjusting the color balance, saturation and brightness/contrast.
Thanks for viewing; and, would appreciate some constructive criticism.
Bob
Comments (24)
abreojos
As dumb as it may seem, I am willing to bet the Saguaros will be around a million years from now and we won't...They got more patience than we do :) Nice big render, but the low pixel count makes me wonder if it would look even better if it were closer to the max allowed here. Either way your work is still awesome.
Roxam
very believable scene, beautiful artwork, great desert feel, atmosphere and lighting is superb... sad story
peedy
Fantastic image. What a pity about the destroyed ones. Corrie
masonspappy
definatly at the upper end of photo-realism
azrabella
Nice work, Bob. This is bordering on photographic.
carlx
Wonderful composition and photo quality, Bob!!!
ariz
You've got to love this one. no choice...!!!
artgum
Boy, this is really photo-real. Too bad the city boneheads don't have the appreciation you do for your desert environs. Agree with abrejos- they'll outlast us. Beautiful scene.
stbc
Bob, this is a desert masterpiece. The topography is spot on. The distribution of botanicals is perfect. The rocks and colors and ground work is terrific. The only thing I would like to see is the light angle adjusted so that we can see more light reflecting off the big saguaro. It is mostly shadowed. However, this will be tricky, because I like how the light is now on the ground and lighting up the rocks and foliage. So, having it come from the right will put the entire foreground hill in shadow, which would detract from the details on the hill. But I love the sky, colors and light in the atmo. Just terrific.
Gunglejim
Superb image Bob, very photo-realistic. Do agree with stbc about the vegetation and ground. Well done!!!
xplosivemind
I remember that week Bob!! I live down in Yuma so this image is almost dejavu!! Nice image and great composition and atmo.
Ionel
Rain in the desert!? That is very interesting! Do you have any picture with rain in a desert? And this is another terragen desert masterpiece, Bob! Indeed very photo realistic!!!
Thelby
This reminds me of the Marty Robbins song "El Paso", now I can't get the song out of my head!! I really like this. It is very natural and has a calming effect on me and Lord knows I need it, Thanks Bob!!!
LindaMcC
I agree with Steve; "desert masterpiece." Could you get light reflecting off the tall cactus by adding a second sun? Bravo!
neo_primal
good one
prutzworks
pretty realistic Bob
Hubert
Very realistic! A wonderful and calm scene, great!!
Rich2
Sad, sad story about the cacti - IMO they, like palm trees here in north Texas have no place other than their natural (or similar) environment. I like the semi-silhouetted catus, and the spotty scrub brush in the diatance. Nicely thought out!
JPSoft
The global effect is great. I like your format (my screen is 1680x1050).
Fahrenheit451
VERY REALISTIC!!! This scene makes me feel as if I'm really there Bob!
Markal
Excellent Bob...well balanced...could have used a planet or moon :) You know me....
kasalin
Love the view up this hill... wonderful POV and surface work
odeone
This render has a soul. Lighting and texturing is perfect. Wheres the rattler?
sossy
simply perfect view and details! and the atmo and light gives me the wish to start a long walk through this landscape! ;o)