Ram's Head and an Aphid

Cypripedium arietinum, the ram's head orchid, is a challenging quarry for the photographer. These rare plants are tiny and the flower will fit comfortably on a penny. They are also difficult to spot due to their small size. I found two populations that were growing underneath pines and white cedars in extremely dry areas along a coastal dune. I also used my 300mm f4 with extension so that I could have a fair amount of working distance without crushing any plants. The next problem was a stiff breeze and soft, dim morning light. Finally, I lost most of my blood to the hungry horde of mosquitoes even with copious quantities of repellent.

K5IIs, manual focus, Live View, 300mm f4 DA*, ISO 500 1/8 sec at f/8. Lightroom included toning down highlights, increasing shadows, and tweaking vibrance and clarity. 23 images were stacked with Zerene Stacker (PMax). Final edits were conducted in CS5.1 with levels, sharpening in Topaz Details, and boosting yellow channel to neutralize blue cast. That's a allot to do for an easily overlooked flower and a single aphid. Thank you......................Jim