May 29
Calypso orchid, again
The way I figured it, I would only have one opportunity to get this right. If I wanted a keeper image of the calypso orchid, it had to be today - the flowers were starting to get past their prime. It was another dark and overcast day with a spot of rain, but that only made the flowers that much sweeter. I was able to go down to ISO 200 for a few shots but mostly I kept at 400, not my preferred ISO but I made an exception for this rare orchid and rare occasion. In this image, I used a reflector to light up the underside of the flower.
I am still buzzing about having seen the calypso orchid. I don’t have words to express how special I think it is!
They seem to be early there, or is this just a normal way to go?
Nice work with the reflector and interesting angle!
The calypso orchid blooms at the same time as the blueberry, it needs the pollinators that visit the blueberry flowers. The ID books say that it blooms in May-June, so those June dates must be further up in the north.
I’m well chuffed with this image… my favourite of the calypso orchid shots. I hope it will keep the test of time, sometimes I get excited about an image at first and then lose interest after a while!