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Orchids in Snow


Orchids in Snow
Photo Information
Copyright: Emma Taylor (Aramok) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 896 W: 101 N: 1501] (5166)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04-06
Categories: Flowers
Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM, Digital ISO 400
Exposure: f/8, 1/100 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Wild Native British Orchids, My Early Purple Orchids [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-04-07 5:07
Viewed: 5470
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Well its been a long time in coming - that is me being well enough to be out and taking photos again, but I have been taking a few and yesterday had me pottering around the garden. But don't get me wrong here, these are wild orchids (Early Purple Orchids) and grow in the woodland attached to our house. Information regarding the orchids can be found in the other pictures of them in the theme in the link above.

I had been out in the garden in Saturday, checking on the orchid's progress. They are usually in flower to the end of April, but there are now 4 or 5 plants that I have identified that almost always flower 2 weeks ahead of all of the others in the 3 patches and 500+ plants that grow in the woodland and when I checked on them on Saturday (with the knowledge of the forecast of snow and the 'yeh right' of disbelief at the front of my mind, it was +15C at this point on Saturday afternoon) I was surprised to see these early flowers showing colour in their flower stems already. Most of the other orchids are not even showing flower stalks, let alone buds with colour...

So when my husband woke me on yesterday morning, to say that it was snowing and it was thick with the local trunk roads already closed, I decided to see how thick it actually was, and was a little bit surprised.

So what are you seeing here? Well these orchids are deep within what is fairly dense deciduous woodland, with quite a few of the trees showing the first signs of leaves (bad news for photographing the orchids because it means that I won't get the backlit flowers I like to take so much). These flower spikes were already 10-15cm tall and were sticking up through the snow. It was quite difficult to actually find them because of the depth (15-20cm where I live) of the snow even in the woodland (this is very rare in the south of England and is close to the deepest snow I have seen in the south in the 13 years I have been lived here).

I will say that I do expect these orchids to be fine. They are surprisingly hardy, but it is the first time I have every seen them in snow... I guess I would have liked it to have snowed next weekend instead because then they would have been totally in flower, but I can't have everything can I?

Anyhow, details - macro lens, fill in flash, lying face down in the snow on wet muddy woodland floor (got very told off for that move! - my health is not really good enough to be getting cold and wet yet!). What else? ISO400 because I was hand holding camera and the light was poor because it was still snowing.

No editing other than the usual (convert from RAW, crop, resize, USM and frame.)

Anyhow, that is all for now because my lunchtime has now finished and I must return to work... bye for now.
PaulH, eqshannon, Alex99, Heaven, jmp, uleko has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To ingridshaul: SnowAramok 2 01-11 07:24
Plant Storiesingridshaul 1 01-08 04:44
To eqshannon: you too?Aramok 2 04-07 08:36
To PaulH: hijaAramok 3 04-07 07:33
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1137 W: 26 N: 3879] (13882)
  • [2008-04-07 5:20]
  • [+]

Hi Emma,
It's so nice to see you back! I am really pleased to see you're well enough to get out again although you're hubby is right though, perhaps you shouldn't be laying around in the snow and mud! We had loads here yesterday! Great double posting, excellent exposure on the snow, perfect DOF and super clarity..very well done, welcome back :o)
Paul

Hey Emma! I too have seen these and snow on top just the other day, but ours did not have any blooms on them, only green. what a nice compassion image for seasons and colours. Welcome back and hope you are feeling well....I too am still recouping but have been fortunate in being able to get out...
Bob

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2008-04-07 9:10]

Hi Emma.
I think all well be soon OK and you will be with us all time. Superb macro works. I like both shots. Exposure is spot on and subject is very attractive. Amazing combination of alive fresh flowers and snow on and around them. Excellent DOF. Details of the plants are perfect and BG is nicely blurred. Well done and TFS.
My hearty wishes to you.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • Hil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 696 W: 13 N: 1407] (5035)
  • [2008-04-07 12:30]

Hi Emma

Nice shot of the Orchids in the April Snow, nicely composed with the two images side by side, lovely colours and good exposure on the white snow, I'm pleased to see you posting again, hope you back to full health soon.

Hil

  • Great 
  • Heaven Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 996 W: 123 N: 2341] (7912)
  • [2008-04-07 12:53]

Hi Emma!

Spring arrives, and Emma is back! Great moments to come...

Many thanks for these delicate spring messengers. The snow crystals on the orchids are like a second flower on them. Both, the flowers and the snow, are delightful and are so typical for that season.

Kind regards

Markus

  • Great 
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1659 W: 95 N: 2273] (8415)
  • [2008-04-07 13:40]

Hello Emnna!
I'm glad to see back!! This orchid it's really strong to bear such a cold weather. Ours grow in a quite more hot conditions.
Perfect details and exposure and a refreshing image for our hot, dry spring.
TFS and best regards,
José M.

Hi Emma, fascinating couple of orchids in snow, splendid sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2008-04-11 8:10]

Hello Emma,
We heard about your late snow in England! How awful, but it certainly let you take some fabulous shots of the Eaarly Purple Orchid covered by snow! How amazing! Brilliant captures, great sharpness and beautiful exposure on the snow. Very well done!
I hope you'll now quickly recover and regain strength!
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

Dear Emma,
A really interesting Plant Story, to see them flowering in UK. (According to international news you are drowning in snow at present!)

Orchids are actually better coping with cold than hot weather. I am growing some in my yard and still finding out, which type hate the heat and dry air and dye on me despite spraying them 2x per day.

Your macro is showing the individual cristals of the snow-flakes, so it must have been dry, otherwise the cristals would have probably joined to make a blanket.

I am sure - even dry - snow is not the best treatment for you!

It is such a pleasure to view your photos: photographic technic always perfect and artistic presentation. Last not least interesting notes.

Best wishes
Ingrid

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