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Flying Duck Orchid
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Flying Duck Orchid

by Chris Ross

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted December 7, 20041,455 views3 comments
<B>Flying Duck Orchid</b> <I>Caleana major</i>

Quite common but hard to find, the flying duck orchid is one of the wierder orchids around. These orchids are pollinated by pseudo-copulation with a sawfly, when the bug lands on the labellum the top part snaps closed trapping the insect briefly and ensuring it carries the pollen away. The pollinator is often attracted by pheromones. Cross posted from Flora forum.

Taken with a Canon AE-1P + 200mm f4 macro and diffusion tent for lighting control. About 1/15 @ f16 on Reala, and around 1:1. All comments welcome.

Comments

3 comments
Comment posted by Juza on December 8, 2004 at 2:29 PM
Hi Chris,
I love the colors and the shapes of this flower. Nice clean BG and nice composition. Well done!
Registered on November 1, 2003, 374 Posts, 10466 Comments
Comment posted by Terri Norris on December 8, 2004 at 11:52 PM
Interesting commentary, and a lovely shot, Chris...Your composition demonstrates why the orchid is so named!
Registered on November 1, 2003, 395 Posts, 2402 Comments
Comment posted by Danny on January 10, 2005 at 4:07 PM
The curves, shapes and form make this macro magic. The title says it all. Excellent work to display this at is best IMO. Very, very well deserved editors pick Chris. :toast:

Danny.
Registered on November 25, 2003, 165 Posts, 1345 Comments