These are beautiful! My favorites are #3 (because of the contrast of the thin, wiry vines and the strong tree--also, I love the colors and composition) and #4 (This one just demonstrates so well the elegance of simplicity. It looks like it could be the cover of a relaxation/poetry book. )
Thanks for the comments, all! The 'vines' you're referring to in #3 are actually Spanish moss, which grows like crazy and is very lovely. There's an entire tree in the greenhouse covered with it.
The assignment, by the way, was up-close photography, so that's why all of these are...very up-close.
"My pet, I've been to the devil, and he's a very dull fellow. I won't go there again, even for you..."
Those were actually very interesting. I like 1, 2, 5, 6, and 9 particularly. It's only because those had a lot of color. 10 is interesting becuase of all the spines protruding from the areoles on the ridges.
You can't tell if the third one is a branch with vines growing out of it, or if it is one of those barbed wire polls, and this is a photo of a group of them together that have fallen. Loved it. Are all these digital?
I have lived through much, and now I think I have found what is needed for happiness. A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people to whom it is easy to do good... then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbor - such is my idea of happiness. — Leo Tolstoy