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Fire in the Hole -Spadix
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Fire in the Hole -Spadix

by Wayne Jones

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted April 13, 2011149 views9 comments
This is a close-up peering inside the hood (known as the spathe) of an eastern skunk cabbage that has melted a hole in the snow (see my post in Flora for more info about this). This pale flower head inside the hood is called the spadix. It's usually heavily shaded and mostly hidden inside the hood, so I gave myself the assignment this year to find one in the snow that is visible and lit well enough so see clearly.
 
Canon 50D
Sigma 150mm. Macro
1 sec. @ f/16; ISO 100
Tripod; Mirror up

Comments

9 comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on April 14, 2011 at 7:52 AM
Very nice Wayne, I've never seen this plant before..I think your POV and excellent comp generates great interest..DOF, color, and details look fab :)
Way to go! :toast:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Varina Patel on April 14, 2011 at 11:04 AM
Fantastic! These grow wild all over Ohio - they're really big, and have such beautiful coloring. I love the snow, and the perfectly-framed spadix. Nicely done, Wayne! This is beautiful!
Registered on August 22, 2008, 45 Posts, 1578 Comments
Comment posted by Barbara Graham on April 14, 2011 at 1:41 PM
Wayne, this view is wonderful, and so extremely clear and sharp.
Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments
Comment posted by John Kerr on April 14, 2011 at 2:21 PM
Interesting photo Wayne. Thanks for the explanation of this wonderful looking plant, I'll have to keep my eyes open for these. I like the color and texture here and the snow along with the fresh color really adds that Spring feel.
Registered on October 28, 2009, 111 Posts, 1070 Comments
Comment posted by Craig Myers on April 14, 2011 at 7:11 PM
Quite otherworldly. Reminds me of Invasion of the Bodysnatchers. Great detail in this very interesting image.
Registered on September 1, 2008, 85 Posts, 757 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on April 14, 2011 at 8:22 PM
Terrific job, Wayne. The details in the spadix are delightful. It looks like you're finally getting around to spring.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on April 14, 2011 at 11:01 PM
Wayne:
Assignment accomplished! The details in the spadix are great. Fantastic.
Registered on September 1, 2009, 588 Posts, 8184 Comments
Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on April 15, 2011 at 3:58 PM
Great picture of the inside of a skunk cabbage, Wayne. We, too, have these growing in our area and I think they are very interesting plants. There are several growing along the creek behind my house and I love to watch the progress of their growth. As you noted the flowers are usually hard to see but you have done an exceptional job of giving us a peek inside. Great DOF and an interesting comp with the snow.
Registered on February 16, 2011, 610 Posts, 3684 Comments
Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on April 22, 2011 at 8:55 PM
Scunk gabbage. Geez i havn't seen any of these since I left PA. It's a neat composition with great light and detail. Can you please explain Mirror up? Is that a reflector?
Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments