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Alpine Sundew With Prey


Alpine Sundew With Prey
Photo Information
Copyright: Steve Reekie (LordPotty) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1381 W: 144 N: 3872] (12503)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-01-24
Categories: Mountain
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/200 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-02-26 20:10
Viewed: 6920
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Drosera arcturi
Alpine Sundew/Wahu

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Core eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Droseraceae
Genus: Drosera
Species: D. arcturi
Binomial name
Drosera arcturi

Drosera arcturi is a perennial, insectivorous species of sub-alpine or alpine herb native to Australia and New Zealand. It is one of New Zealand's two alpine species of sundew, the other being Drosera stenopetala.The specific epithet, which translates as "of Arthur" from latin, is a reference to Mount Arthur, Tasmania, the type locality of the species.
D. arcturi grows in alpine bogs, tarns and seepages and is also commonly found in Sphagnum bogs. It is found in alpine areas from the East Cape of North Island, New Zealand, southwards to Stuart Island, New Zealand. It is found above 1500m altitude in North Island, descending to sea level in the South Island. It is also found in the mountains of southeastern Australia and Tasmania. In New Zealand, D. arcturi is often found growing in clumps alonside Ultricularia dichotoma.
The leaves of D. arcturi are linear, 1-10 cm long but usually less than 5 cm, undivided and range in colour from light lime green, to muddy brown, to a bright red if subjected to full sunlight. Like all other species of Drosera, D. arcturi catches insects using sticky, glandular hairs on its leaves. In D. arcturi, these glandular hairs are red. Young leaves begin at the center of the plant and are folded along their center. Once the young leaf reaches full maturity it unfolds like a book.
D. arcturi is a summer grower, and it dies down to a dormant hibernaculum to survive the cold, harsh alpine winters it is subjected to. The hibernaculum is normally buried near the surface of the soil or moss and is usually covered with snow for several months during winter.
The plants' first upright leaves emerge in spring. After two or three leaves have formed, a small, solitary white flower, 13 mm across, is then borne on a short stalk in summer, and positioned near the top of the leaves. Flowers are present from November to February and fruits are present in February. After flowering, the leaves gradually reduce in size to form the hibernaculum.
(from Wikipedia)

I photographed this sundew with prey near the Otira Valley track at Arthurs Pass.
I was quite surprised to see the size of insect these plants could trap.Later on I'll post one with a butterfly.

Thanks for looking.
Steve
iris, rcrick, Argus, haraprasan, bobcat08, oanaotilia, Miss_Piggy, eng55, nglen, boreocypriensis, weeksy, Pitoncle has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • iris Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 479 W: 60 N: 970] (3088)
  • [2009-02-26 20:41]

Hello Steve,
I remember studying about these plants in school and had long forgotten about them.This one you present complete with dew and in action is a brilliant capture depicting its behaviour.I am surprised as much as you on seeing the size of the prey it is able to catch.Good focus showing fine details of both the plant and the prey.The lighting creates good viewing effect and the blurred BG helps isolate the subjects well.

TFS & Cheers
Silpa

Hi Steve,

From the thumbnail I could'nt see what was happining here, but now what a great capture, its an amazing looking plant something I've never seen before, superb detail, beautiful colours, pin sharp.

Cheers Rick :)

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2009-02-26 22:19]

Hello Steve,
A fine macro of the trapping and digesting leaves of this species of Drosera here with a caught insect taken with good sharpness to show the sticky drops and the trapped insect.
The dense mat of small round leaves that forms the busy BG seems to cover the bog or marsh that this grows in.
We have three species of Drosera in Sweden, none of which have such long trapping leaves.
Thanks for this interesting post,
Cheers,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • Heaven Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 996 W: 123 N: 2341] (7912)
  • [2009-02-26 23:22]

Hi Steve!

Indeed, it's very surprising to see the size of the captured insect! The picture is dramatic and interesting as well. It shows us how this insectivorous plant works and looks like in a spectacular manner. The focus is on the right place and reveals rich details. I also like the instructive notes very much.

Kind regards

Markus

Namastay Steve,
A nice capture of this beautiful sundew plant with its prey. Excellent composition and sharp details. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Sincerely
Hara

My compliments Steve,

Exactly one shot in the rose. The drops on the end of the branches are so clear and sharp. They are sparkling. A great actionshot. I have also made a photo from a sundew in Holland, but not a size like this one. Perfect macro.

Thanks for sharing. Nice weekend and TFS BOB

Hallo Steve
A striking image filled with wonderful colours and details. It takes a while to observe all the features of this lovely image. It is very interesting to look at, and I found your notes very educational as well. This is a subject I only know little of, therefore making it more interesting to look at. The detail captured is very striking and very obvious. The combination of colours is in great contrast with one another and displays well. An overall splendid presentation and indeed a pleasant sight. Have a lovely weekend, and my best regards.
Anna

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1256 W: 42 N: 1976] (5892)
  • [2009-02-27 11:21]

Hi Steve,
Very nice capture.Well seen and composed.Exposure is spot on,details are crisp clear.Very well done!
Thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2883 W: 30 N: 9683] (36145)
  • [2009-02-27 12:21]

Hi Steve, This is a fine close up of this plant with the fly captured for food. Very good detail and colours. with a good low POV. well done TFS.
Nick..

Have a good weekend.

I agree with you about TN Its all free and we can leave anytime .

Ciao Steve, amazing capture with drosera in action, poor bug.., fantastic composition with wonderful colors, great details and excellent sharpness, very well done, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2791 W: 0 N: 6696] (25839)
  • [2009-02-27 17:15]

Hi Steve,
really amazing. such a useful information and you provided with an excellent note. Thanks.
The trap is excellent and I just wondering, all in all the creation is so diversified and variety that Im almost lost in thinking its complexity.
Brilliant exposition.

Regards,
Foozi

Hi Steve, a wonderful macro capture of this strange instect with fine details and sharpness. i also liked the environment so much.
TFS and have a nice WE MF!
Cheers,

Bayram

Hi Steve

Great "action" shot of this sundew. The lighting catches the large amount of dew very well.

Cheers

Steve

Bonjour Steve,
Très intéressante publication avec cette splendide macro très finement détaillée.
A bientôt sur TN pour de nouvelles aventures.
Gérard

  •      
  • vorpal Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 47 W: 0 N: 13] (48)
  • [2009-03-11 16:30]

Awesome scene you've captured Steve! I've seen insects as big as a Dragonfly and even have seen photo's of a small lizard stuck in a Sundew. DOF, focus and lighting are all well done!

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