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Unique orchid


Unique orchid
Photo Information
Copyright: Ulla Kruys (uleko) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2468 W: 168 N: 7464] (23588)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04-12
Categories: Flowers
Camera: Canon PowerShot S2IS
Exposure: f/4.5, 1/100 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): orchids of the middle east [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-05-08 8:23
Viewed: 887
Points: 29
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
OPHRYS

On Akamas we found several species of these unique orchids growing amongst the bushes in the Aleppo pine forest. They are considered the most important group of European terrestrial orchids.

“The scientific name is derived from the Greek word "ophrys", meaning "eyebrow", referring to the furry edges of the lips of several species.

These flowers surpass all other European orchids. Two to twelve flowers grow on an erect stem with basal leaves. They are absolutely unique not only because of their unequaled beauty, color range and exceptional forms, but also because of the ingenuity by which they attract insects. Their lip mimics several insects, such as that of a bee, a wasp, or a beetle, attracting and duping the right pollinator. This visual cue serves as a close-range attractant. This pollination mimicry is enhanced by producing the scent of the receptive female insect. This is the long-range attractant. These insect pheromones cause them to approach and investigate the flowers more closely. This all happens in a period that only males are active and females haven't appeared yet.

Every Ophrys orchid has its own pollinator insect and is completely dependent on this species for its survival. Furthermore, duped males are not likely to return. They even ignore other plants of the same species. Therefore, only about 10% of an Ophrys population gets pollinated. This is enough to preserve the population, since each Ophrys orchid produces about 12,000 minute seeds." Extract from Wikipedia

My picture shows an OPHRYS MAMMOSA (2x a wasp in size)and it was taken with the camera handheld from about 1/2 metre. It's been cropped slightly, sharpened and I've used NeatImage on the background.
circae, claudine, Alex99, mikou, jaycee, herve1993, drmw, cicindela, Adanac, zulfu has marked this note useful
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To cicindela: Unique orchiduleko 2 05-09 07:00
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Good 
  • circae (140)
  • [2007-05-08 8:32]

Curiosa Ophrys,un bello ejemplar de una especie desconocida por mi.

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3043 W: 148 N: 4547] (14679)
  • [2007-05-08 9:31]

Hi Ulla.
You managed to show us all beauty of this charming flower. Its details, sharpness and colours are great. I also like center composition of the shot. I see it was cloudy weather. Light is soft and impressive. It seems to me BG is over processed a bit. TFS and best regards.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • mikou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 863 W: 73 N: 1348] (5265)
  • [2007-05-08 9:48]

Hi Ulla.
Very nice presentation of this orchid.Very good your managed point of view what shows whole her beauty very well.Diffused light giving very pleasant colors.Nice composed this picture and interesting note.
Thanks,with greeting Milos.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1788 W: 8 N: 4639] (15001)
  • [2007-05-08 10:57]

How lovely this orchid is! The comp and colors of this photo are wonderful. Lovely presentation.

Jane

Bonjour,
Très curieuse espèce d'Ophrys, avec des particularités très originales. Merci de nous la présenter.
Salutations
Hervé

bonjour ulla
les orchidée sont toujours de tres belles fleurs,sur celle-ci j'aime sa couleur pourpre qui tranche bien avec le vert de la tige.
bon travails sur le BG.
laurent

Hi Ulla

Very nice photo.

When I was last in Cyprus I was there a little later about 2-3 weeks later than you
and there were very few orchids left.

Rgds Mike.

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1049 W: 1 N: 4160] (13980)
  • [2007-05-08 22:40]

Hello Ulla,
Exquisite flower captured with good focus and exposure giving us this excellent presentation. Great work Ulla, thanks for sharing.
Rick

Hi dear Ulla ,
nice shot with great focus .
BG is nice too.it has beautiful colours.
thanks for sharing
Regards
Saeed

I must confess my awareness of Orchids is rather limited, Ulla. All I can say is that I like the look of this flower you shot in Cyprus. It has a lovely shape and beautiful delicate colours.
The shot is well composed and well executed.
TFS.

Hello Ulla,
As I can see you trip to Cyprus was strewd by the ochrid flowers :) This is another very beauty species, here presented with very good DOF, sharpness and colours - I especially like the blue parts :) On the other hand it would be nice to find in note any info about its size.
Best greetings,
Radomir

Wow! This is such a nice and interesting specie Ulla. This must be very impressive to see this flower in the wild... I like this natural exposure and colors, centered composition and details. Your notes about it are much interesting. I have learned new things today :) Thanks,
Claudine

Hi Ulla, wonderful orchid with splendid light and colors, great composition, very well done, ciao Silvio

Bonsoir Ulla
Je ne connais pas cette Orchidée aux belles couleurs, bien rendues
Amicalement
Laurent

  • Great 
  • OzBY Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 182 W: 2 N: 310] (1069)
  • [2007-05-11 12:06]

Hi Ulla,

Great picture of this flower.
Great color, lighting and background.

Oz

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 527 W: 0 N: 95] (585)
  • [2008-06-27 11:03]

Hello Ulla perfect macro capture of an unique orchid species. TFS. Regards,
Mehmet

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