Oval Ladies Tresses Orchid

[prem]

This is one of the plants I was out "hunting" at Ichetucknee Springs State Park in north-central Florida recently. It is very seldom seen in the wild, being a small and shy plant. The flowers are wound in such a tight spiral that they appear to be arranged in three ranks up the stem.

This particular day was somewhat cloudy and a bit breezy, so natural light photos were not to be had.

Spiranthes ovalis



Canon EOS 400D, Sigma 105mm macro, flash with off-camera shoe and diffuser, f10, 160/s exposure, ISO 100.

Adjusted for color and contrast in Photoshop.

---Prem

[A.M.D.A.]

Love the way in which the bright white tresses "pop out". Great job on the nicely blurred background, no overly intruding/distracting twigs, grasses, etc.. :thumbsup:

I would have preferred a slightly lower (or level) perspective. But it's nothing serious, as is this photo would do awesome in a book about botany.

[paulnj]

I always enjoy your orchid images. Keep them coming and improve awareness!

[prem]

Thanks for the compliments. Alex, amazingly enough, this was taken right at ground level...these flowers tend to nod downward on a spike that is on the order of six inches tall...this makes it very challenging to get an "up-the-throat" shot on these flowers. I will try next time, perhaps, to bend the spike back gently to allow for a better perspective.

---Prem