Camera: Canon EOS 10D Lens: Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro Focal Length: 100mm Aperture: f/19.0 Shutter: 1/1 sec ISO: 100 Exposure Bias: 0 EV Flash: None Tripod: Jib arm
The Funeral Orchid, Ophrys funerea (Orchidaceae), comes from a group of bee orchids that are quite unlike those we imagine as being more typical of the genus.
Closely related to the fly orchid, this member of the fusca-lutea sub-family has characteristically sombre blooms that, on close inspection, are richly marked in colours deep red and titanium blue.
As with its near relatives, pseudo-copulation between insect and flower characteristically takes place in reverse. No, the flower doesn't mount the insect, rather the insect faces downwards, its abdomen directed towarded the interior of the flower to unwittingly gather pollinia on its rear.
Comments on: funerary
The colours are beautiful, so refreshing. Great nature shot Alastair.
Posted by Craig Wilson at December 4, 2006 06:08 PM
