Seeking Out Australian Native Orchids #80 - Ku-Ring-Gai Chase NP, NSW

in photography •  7 years ago 

Spring promises sun and with the sun come the sun orchids. Today's walk mission was to go back to do the walk that I had planned a few days before. Remember that I was waylaid by some walkers and walked up the other side of the creek to what I normally walk. Maybe I would find sun orchids with spots on my side of the creek.

Orchids80 01.jpg

Dotted Sun Orchid- Thelymitra ixioides

http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Thelymitra~ixioides

I was spoiled for choice on a fine sunny evening - lots of light coming from the West and ISO setting dialled down to ISO-400 and f-stop set at f/8 for all the photos. I am not one for making adjustments to the layout of the plants. I could have improved this picture a lot by getting the top flower away from overlapping the bottom one. This sun orchid has spots.

Taken at f/8, 1/500 sec ISO-400.

The next flower is not as deep in colour and it has not opened as widely. That makes the photo work harder - how to get good focus. Cameraman was not paying full attention either as he had not zoomed the lens past the edges of the extension tube. It makes the edges look a bit like a fishbowl.

Orchids80 02.jpg

Taken at f/8, 1/50 sec ISO-400. Lower light = lower speed.

The zoomed in version of the same flower is a whole lot more crisp

Orchids80 03.jpg

With the flower in focus the fishbowl effect looks a little better. It makes the eye flow into the focal point.

Orchids80 04.jpg

The next photos show the variation of the species - no spots. The key to identification is the shape and colouring of the column

Orchids80 05.jpg

Dotted Sun Orchid- Thelymitra ixioides

http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Thelymitra~ixioides

Taken at f/8, 1/50 sec ISO-400. And at a different speed the colours wash out

Orchids80 06.jpg

Taken at f/8, 1/100 sec ISO-400.

I found another partly open flower to test focal skills - wow this is hard work and disappointing to find the results are not great when I get home.

Orchids80 07.jpg

And for a change of colour and flower type - a wax flower about the size of an American quarter.

Orchids80 08.jpg

Photos taken with Canon Powershot G16 on August 27, 2017.

Authors get paid when people like you upvote their post.
If you enjoyed what you read here, create your account today and start earning FREE STEEM!
Sort Order:  

That is a challenge to get the focus just right on such a little plant, with a 3-D structure to it. I've seen mushroom photographers use multiple focus planes and then stack all their images in an image processing program. I wonder if you could do something like that with your orchids.

Your 3rd photo is great! The light blue flowers seem almost translucent. Happy orchid hunting!

My camera does allow 3 photos with multiple focal lengths. I have tried a few but not got them in the laboratory yet. Does need a tripod - I do not carry one on my bike. I have a mini one - not yet got to using it for this

How beautiful!!! What colors!!! I collect orchids - I have an orchid dependence :-)! How fortunate that you can see orchids in nature! I envy you a good story. I really want this too!!! Thank you for your photos!

Whenever i feel a little down I go walking in the bush to look for orchids. I did yesterday - was great. I do also grow orchids though I have to say it is not an area of expertise. I do have one set flowering right now.

I will wait for your new photos of orchids! I have many orchids: phalaenopsis, dendrobium-phalaenopsis, cambria, zygopetalum, mini-phalaenopsis, paphiopedilum, Brassia, mini-cattleya

Awesome macro shots of the orchids! The color on the second to last picture makes it my favorite.

Colours are so varied from plant to plant

Super shot. Excellent Orchids. I like it. Thanks @carrinm for sharing

The photos are so beautiful, I think the angle of the photo is clearly visible.

Perfect.

Yes, photography is an arduous task, but do not be discouraged that you still delight us with the captured photos. In my opinion I love the details that can be seen in every photograph. Great job!