Bee Orchid

Gallery: FloraPosted June 8, 20061,923 views16 comments

A Bee Orchid - Ophrys apifera

These beautiful UK flowers are some of the most incredible macro opportunities available. This Bee Orchid is fresh out of the packet, the top flower only just emerging. This one was found growing up through some concrete in the middle of a busy city roundabout.

EOS 5D with a Tamrom 180 macro. I waited until the edge of a dark cloud had just diffused the strong sunlight. Taken at f22 ISO 400 for 1/10th sec.

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Alice Scoggins on June 8, 2006 at 11:09 AM

Wow, can't believe this beauty was growing in concrete! Gorgeous flower. And your image is tack sharp, with a beautiful background and comp. Great job!

Registered on February 21, 2005, 430 Posts, 5959 Comments

Comment posted by Juza on June 8, 2006 at 11:17 AM

One of the best orchid photos that I have ever seen!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 374 Posts, 10466 Comments

Comment posted by Odell Garrison on June 8, 2006 at 12:30 PM

Beautiful speciman and well shot!

Registered on May 6, 2006, 109 Posts, 556 Comments

Comment posted by David Schwaegler on June 8, 2006 at 1:04 PM

Amazing. Both the photo and the flower.

Registered on December 4, 2003, 232 Posts, 1652 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Buck on June 8, 2006 at 2:44 PM

Any ideas why it is called a bee orchid?

VERY nice David. I love your composition and the background is great. VERY nice.

Nathan

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1101 Posts, 13589 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Salge on June 8, 2006 at 5:09 PM

I've been enjoying all of your flora shots recently, and this is no exception. The colors that come through in your pics are soft and not overpowering, just very nice exposures.

Very clean background in this, and very sharp...both inspite of an F22 exposure. Well done!

Keep em coming!

Registered on February 23, 2006, 269 Posts, 2210 Comments

Comment posted by W. Tracy Parnell on June 8, 2006 at 7:46 PM

Fantastic photo!

Registered on March 4, 2004, 27 Posts, 1638 Comments

Comment posted by David W. Kelly on June 8, 2006 at 7:53 PM

Well composed and thought out. Great image.

David Kelly

Registered on October 7, 2005, 883 Posts, 6590 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Whitney on June 8, 2006 at 9:56 PM

Great image

Think I will pour some concrete and see if I can grow some

Registered on May 31, 2006, 135 Posts, 1232 Comments

Comment posted by David Clapp on June 9, 2006 at 6:06 AM

Thanks all. The reason why this flower has arrived earlier than expected (should be July really) is because of the concrete. It's like structural blockwork with small gaps, but this has acted in heating up the ground considerably so the orchids think were a month ahead of what we are. It was an unusual find and shows the harmony of man and nature I guess.

I did find a bee orchid growing on the side of a building site a few years ago when I wasnt into photography. Apparently if you disturb the soil in this way all manner of unusual things can be enticed to grow. It was huge as well, about 2-3 feet high.

Registered on November 28, 2005, 137 Posts, 441 Comments

Comment posted by Malcolm MacGregor on June 9, 2006 at 9:27 AM

I enjoyed your pictures in Outdoor photographer ... I assume they were yours and not a doppelganger.

I have only seen Bee Orchids abroad before , usually in harsh light nothing like this specimen .

Registered on March 20, 2006, 15 Posts, 140 Comments

Comment posted by David Clapp on June 9, 2006 at 4:27 PM

News to me! I havent seen anything, is it in the issue with the doormouse on the cover?

Registered on November 28, 2005, 137 Posts, 441 Comments

Comment posted by Ronnie Gaubert on June 9, 2006 at 10:05 PM

Very nice David. The soft lighting is just perfect and the smooth background just set this flower off.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 810 Posts, 3495 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Benner on June 12, 2006 at 10:32 PM

beautiful light - congratulations

Registered on December 8, 2003, 482 Posts, 1868 Comments

Comment posted by Malcolm MacGregor on June 14, 2006 at 8:54 AM

No not the doormouse- the july edition - with Andrew Nadolskis' delicate Cornwall pictures -
page 18-19 is where Mr Clapps pictures are (seem to get this early as is on subscription) - This David Clapp seems to have the same camera as you .
You should have your pictures published there anyway IMHO

Registered on March 20, 2006, 15 Posts, 140 Comments

Comment posted by Dave Yuhas on June 15, 2006 at 3:18 PM

What the others said plus WOW!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 25 Posts, 56 Comments