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Ophrys insectifera


Ophrys insectifera
Photo Information
Copyright: anita and mike allsopp (juanit) Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 49 W: 4 N: 123] (676)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-05-27
Categories: Flowers
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Orchids of Britain and Europe [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-07-22 15:34
Viewed: 585
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Fly Orchid
Ophrys insectifera
previously: Orchis muscifera
IDENTIFICATION:
The three or four dark green, blunt, floppy basal leaves, are very shiny on the upper surface. The stem is spindly, 15-60cm tall, and bears one or two small leaves. There are two to ten (rarely up to 20), well-spaced flowers, which bear an astonishing resemblance to an insect. The three sepals are pointed, yellow-green and stiff. The upper petals are wire-like, purple-brown and velvety, looking just like antennae. The lip is long and three-lobed, the lateral lobes rounded. The lip is rich mahogany-brown, velvety in texture, and has a brilliant band of iridescent blue - the speculum - across the middle. There are two glistening patches at the base of the lip that resemble eyes. There is a distinctive form - var. ochroleuca och- which has all green flowers and a white speculum. Flowers with yellow bordered lips are also occasionally recorded. Peloric flowers with multiple lips are not uncommon
HABITAT
Grows in open woodland, notably the Beech 'hangers' which are a feature of the North Downs of Kent and Surrey. In northern England, it is found up to 400m, and in Anglesey it grows in calcareous flushes and fens. It also grows on limestone pavement and on the wet margins of the seasonal lakes (turloughs) in the Burren in Ireland.
POLLINATION
The plant secretes sex pheromones that attract male Digger Wasps. The wasps attempt to copulate with the flowers, resulting in pollinia being stuck to their heads. Once the female wasps emerge, some two weeks after the males, the Fly Orchids are left alone. Ants also remove pieces of pollinia, probably as food, and may act as accidental pollinators
Source:http://www.britainsorchids.fieldguide.co.uk/?PP=species_account&SPID=58&SHC=2&PSD=1
uleko, angybone, rousettus, clnaef, Silke has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Silvio2006: Graziejuanit 1 08-03 01:07
To Silke: Thankyoujuanit 1 08-03 01:03
To Hay_kes: Thankyoujuanit 1 07-28 06:08
To John_F_Kennedy: Thankyoujuanit 1 07-28 06:07
To clnaef: Thankyoujuanit 1 07-28 06:07
To LCannon: Thankyoujuanit 1 07-28 06:06
To rousettus: Thankyoujuanit 1 07-28 06:06
To matthew: Thanksjuanit 1 07-25 14:37
To uleko: Thankyoujuanit 2 07-25 12:46
To angybone: Thankyoujuanit 1 07-25 11:30
To arfer: Thankyoujuanit 1 07-25 11:26
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-07-23 20:35]
  • [+]

Hello Anita

A beautiful image of this dainty orchid.Very good focus and sharpness of detail.The colours are well saturated.It looks like a little Norse gummie bear hanging there.The POV and DOF are wel done.The OOF BG has a pleasant look.TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2470 W: 168 N: 7478] (23630)
  • [2007-07-25 7:40]
  • [+]

Hello Anita,
Very fine sharp capture of this Fly orchid. This is the only Ophrys we have here in Sweden although it is still rare.
TFS and best wishes, Ulla
PS. I'm now studying everything about Monte Gargano! Many thanks!

Such beautiful details. Lovely! You have a wonderful botanical collection in your gallery.

hi anita

lovely shot of this orchid really does look like a fly, good focus and good dof

mat

Hi Anita,
Wonderful shot of this very beautiful Ophrys. Its flower is really like insect as called "insectifera". Details, sharpness very nice. Coloration and composition very well. POV and DOF also good. Good notes. Thanks.
best wishes
Ahmet

I love the tall vertical framing, the color, light and focus are nice. What an interesting flower, well done.

Bonjour,
Belle présentation pour une fleur remarquable.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

Beautiful! Nice sharpness, wonderful colour saturation.
Best wishes,
Achim

Hi Anita,
Very interesting flower macro.Great sharp, details and colours.TFS.

Hi Anita, splendid orchid with wonderful colors, excellent blurry BG, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • Silke Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 753 W: 108 N: 1729] (5398)
  • [2007-08-03 2:34]
  • [+]

Superb colours and details, though I think I'd have tried for a lightly off-centre composition here
TFS
silke
:) ok
P.S. I was hugely impressed with your workshop on the red leaf -- what software are you using?

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