Conophytum subfenestratum (a.k.a. C. pillansii)

Predominantly a Knersvlakte species, it occurs rather widespread from northeast of Bitterfontein to just north of Vanrhynsdorp in shale and on loamy flats covered with quartz, rarely on low quartz ridges.
On these ridges, the plants often form clusters, but as a rule they are single.
The smooth or shortly fuzzy bodies are up to 2,5 cm long and in diameter, globose, but flattened and slightly lobed on the top. They are pale green to yellowish or reddish at the end of the growing season, densely spotted with translucent dots, which usually coalesce to form an indistinct window (subfenestratum = somewhat windowed). Usually the bodies are buried up to their windows.
The slightly scented flowers are open during the day, up to 2 cm in diameter, pale to deep pink or magenta, rarely white. They appear in March-May.

pictures 1-3 taken late March 2012
#4: mid May 2017

 

# 5,6: late July 2017
# 7: early Sept. 2010

 

 

 

Conophytum minutum v. minutum (1)

Plants of this variety occur widespread from Papendorp and Vanrhynsdorp in the south to Garies and Gamoep in the north and are also found at the coast, near the mouth of the Groenrivier. They grow on a variety of substrates, either in the open on in the shade of shrubby mesembs.
The flowers appear in autumn and range in colour from pale pink to reddish magenta and even (rarely) white.
All photos made on the same day (30 March 2012).

conominumin 7436#2012-03-30-2

conominumin 7435#2012-03-30-2

conominumin 7398#2012-03-30-2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relating to your subject

Whenever I travel around with other people looking for plants and photographing them, I ‘m surprised by the speed with which they take pictures.  Apparently there is something wrong with me and my equipment.  By the time I have made up my mind whether a specific plant is worth a picture and have set up my gear, they are already moving  on.  And to be honest, often their results are not too bad either. So why would someone go for a time consuming and cumbersome approach when things can be done so much quicker and easier?  Maybe we can find an answer when we look at other areas. Why would one take the trouble of cooking a proper meal, rather than grabbing a hamburger or heating up some convenience food? There are a lot of reasons, such as health, taste, atmosphere, variety, cost, the satisfaction of turning a few simple ingredients into something tasty and satisfying. There are probably even more, but you’ll get the drift.
With regard to plant photography  we see a similar dichotomy. I think it all depends on the purpose of what you are doing. When you just  need something to remind you of where you were and what you saw, there is no need for a beautiful photograph. Some sort of snapshot will do the trick.  On the other hand , when you want to show your subject to good advantage, something more (often a lot more) is needed. It is not necessarily a matter of having the best equipment -although that may help. It is much more a matter of attitude towards your subject. You may follow the most common route: point your camera in the right direction, look in the viewfinder or on the display to check if the subject is in the middle and press the shutter. Bingo, another masterpiece. Well, maybe when you are a master, but mere mortals like me –and probably you- have to put a lot more time and effort into making a meaningful picture. By slowing down you give yourself the opportunity to properly look at your subject from different angles and distances. Each change in position will give you a new range of options and opportunities. The nearer you get to the plant, the more of a relationship with it you are building. Especially with small plants I think you have to be within touching distance in order to get a feeling for the plant and its immediate surroundings. Mind you, I’m not a tree hugger, but I’m sure that when you are able to really relate to the plant, looking it in the eye so to say, your pictures will become so much better. In other words, objective observation is not enough; without some emotion, be it admiration, pity, wonder or enjoyment, your picture will at best be a record, a documentation. Nothing wrong with that as such –but there is more satisfaction to be gained from combining documentation with emotion.  Don’t take my word for it, do yourself a favour and try it out for yourself. Don’t despair  when it does not work immediately.

conoobco2010_09_11#091res

conoobco2010_09_11#093res
Two pictures of the same plant of Conophytum obcordellum. Which do you prefer?