cracked lens

Camera: Canon EOS 10D
Lens: Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro
Focal Length: 100mm
Aperture: f/19
Shutter: 1/3 sec
ISO: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: No Flash
Tripod: Jib arm

Medieval legend holds that male demons known as incubi, so called because they prefer to lie atop sleeping women (Latin incubare, "to lie upon"), are able to sustain themselves by draining the life force from their helpless quandry through sexual intercourse.

It is these demons which were once believed to be responsible for waking dreams involving sleep paralysis, usually associated with the perception of spiritual, bodily presences. These demons, known as mæres in Old English, are responsible for a term we use today, nightmares.

Driven by it's sombre colours and striking patternation, 19th century Italian botanist, Bianca, saw in the bloom of Ophrys incubacea (Orchidaceae) something of the incubus, and in naming it accordingly, gave us the Nightmare Orchid, seen here flowering in April near Vieste, southern Italy.

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