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For Lucy - R.I.P.


For Lucy - R.I.P.
Photo Information
Copyright: Loot Eksteen (loot) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5524 W: 722 N: 4163] (11276)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-07-15
Categories: Flowers
Camera: Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 HZ DG Macro, Digital ISO 100, UV 62mm Kenko
Exposure: f/18.0, 1/200 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Flowers, plants and fungi of Southern Africa, Orchids, Flower, Flower Power, RARE or SIGNIFICANT contributions to TN 1, A study in Botany (plants) 1, Dedications at Trek Nature, My Dedications ;o), Macromania [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-08-30 14:53
Viewed: 6353
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 60
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Leopard Orchid - Ansellia gigantea var. gigantea

This lovely orchid is dedicated to my late mother in law, Lucy Margaret van Dyk. Not one of us (the family) could imagine what the day of 10 August 2006 would present us. We were not prepared for the parting without the farewell, but although we are grieved, we do not grieve without hope. Death is conquered and those who pass away shall life again in a new life, more perfect. On behalf of all the children, grand children, family and friends who will always remember her with love and affection.

If any of you thought I disappeared from TrekNature, make no mistake, I'm still here. As you can see from the above paragraph we were away for an unexpected period of time, but we're back and hopefully things will return to normal. I certainly have a lot of catching up to do so; I'll see you all around the site in time.

I photographed this wild orchid on 15 July 2006, 2 days before I had to go to hospital for my knee operation. I was enjoying what I knew would be my last outing for quite some time before my knee would be strong enough again to challenge the outdoors with camera in hand. Anna and I visited the Enseleni Nature Reserve, ±10km outside Empangeni (my home town). This lovely little reserve features 2 excellent walking trails. The Mvubu Trail - 2km indigenous forest all along the Enseleni river bank and the Nkonkoni Trail – 7km hike through grassland habitat. I was rather fortunate as these plants normally grow high up in the trees, but this specimen was growing on a rotting tree that fell over. The hole created in the forest canopy from the fallen tree gave me very little light to work with so I had to make use of fill-in flash to get sufficient lighting on the flower.

Plants
Robust epiphytic herbs forming large clumps in the upper branches of trees. The bamboo-like pseudobulbous stems are 2-3cm thick, varying in height from 25-100cm and bearing 6-10 alternate leaves towards the apex. Old stems, or cane-like pseudobulbs, become leafless and yellow but remain on the plant, forming a dense tuft of stems, often surrounded by numerous upright, pointed roots. The tough leaves are thin but stiff with conspicuous parallel venation, 20-30cm long, 2.5-4cm wide.

Inflorescence
Up to 100cm long, usually a branching panicle, bearing numerous flowers 2-3cm in diameter. Flowers from June to September.

Flowers
Yellow, variously spotted or marked with light or reddish-brown, or unspotted, the lip usually a brighter yellow than the other parts. Petals and sepals are usually similar in shape and size, 15-23cm long. Midlobed lip longer than broad with 3 raised keels, no ridging present on the side lobes of the lip.

Distribution
In hot humid river valleys and scrub in Kwa-Zulu Natal, Mpumalanga, & Gauteng lowveld, also in Swaziland.

Source: "Wild Orchids of Southern Africa", by J Stewart, HP Linder, EA Schelpe & AV Hall.

Post Processing was done with Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0.
ellis49, RAP, dew77, Janice, SkyF, Juyona, soccer, Silke, SunToucher, scottevers7, Anton, thor68, jmp, peter_stoeckl, Gudule, marjan, Luc, Dyker, Miss_Piggy, Aaltjie, Rehanna, betsie has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Loot,
it's great to a post from you again and I hope you are well.
This is a beautiful flower with lovely yellow colour.
Good details and well composed.
Very well done, my friend.

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1515 W: 18 N: 3165] (11638)
  • [2006-08-30 15:28]

With deepest sympathy for your loss. This is a beautiful tribute. A really stunning flower with lovely details.

Best wishes

Karan

Hello Loot,
It's wonderful to see a post from you again. I'm sorry to hear of your loss, This is a nice dedication.

The details are nice, clear and sharp.
superb colours, lighting and exposure. Well composed, excellent notes and well framed.
Thanks for posting, Best regards,

Alan.

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4432 W: 248 N: 4028] (13270)
  • [2006-08-30 15:57]

Hello Loot,
Nice to see a new post from you again and i'm sorry for your loss.Wonderful close up.Exposure is spot on,details are crisp clear.POV,colors and composition are excellent.
Thanks for sharing this beauty with us...:-)

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2234 W: 188 N: 1912] (8073)
  • [2006-08-30 16:11]

Hello Loot,
I'm sorry for your loss, thgis dedication wonderful way to remember a loved one.
Very nice close up of this lovely flower. POV, sharpness and colors are wonderful.
Welcome back..Sky

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3277 W: 148 N: 6163] (18832)
  • [2006-08-30 16:13]

Welcome back Loot. You have been missed. And you have a beautiful flower to show us.
But my deepest sympathy for you and your family to lose such a loved lady. I thank God for the hope you have in Him.
And how is the knee - dancing and runnng again?
AND how about the rugby?
Kia ora
Janice

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 2232 W: 10 N: 2971] (16891)
  • [2006-08-30 17:14]

Hola Loot,
Es hermosa tu ansellia, el amarillo es mi color preferido, gracias por tu trabajo, y por tu sensibilidad... ánimo y arriba el corazón, saludos.

Hi Loot,
Nicely captured.
Great shot.

Ben Lakitan

Loot,

Excellently composed pic showing brilliant lighting and hence the sharpness and great detail shown. The POV, BG and choice of subject are good too! TFS,
Sheriff

  • Great 
  • Silke Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 729 W: 98 N: 1707] (5458)
  • [2006-08-31 6:37]

Superb orchid and a wonderful re-introduction of yourself. My heartfelt condolences for your loss. thank you for sharing that with us too. The lovely texture of this flower comes thhrough clearly in your perfectly focused shot. Great colours and details
TFS
Silke

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2006-08-31 6:48]

Beautiful image Loot... the coloring and the soft textures of the leaves are wonderful.

Composition: *****
Sharpness: *****
Color: *****
Lighting *****
Background *****
DOF: *****
POV: *****
Note: *****

Nothing to criticize

Congratulations and regards... Ricardo

Hello Loot,
I am glad to hear that you are back and feeling well. Sorry to here about your mother in law. I hope you and the family can cope with the sudden loss. This is a beautiful dedication of a wonderful flower. The photo is of superb quality with great sharpness and colors. As Scott mentioned, I was also planning to e-mail to see if you were doing OK. I am glad to read that it is. So how are you doing on recovery?
Thanks and hope to hear and see from you soon.
Niek

Hi Loot,
I am very sorry for your family's loss. A very beautiful and fitting tribute to her. Superb color saturation and fine detail in this perfect composition. I was getting worried about you. I had planned to e-mail you to see what was going on that prevented you from stopping by. Take care my friend!
I was really glad to see your post.
Scott

Out of pts. I'll be back..........

  • Great 
  • Anton Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 46 W: 11 N: 154] (595)
  • [2006-08-31 11:16]

Loot,
My innige simpatie met jou groot verlies. Mag julle genade ontvang in die tyud.
Groete
Anton

  •      
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1973 W: 119 N: 2582] (8439)
  • [2006-08-31 14:32]

Loot, het allerbeste.
Ik hoop dat U snel zult herstellen van het verdriet wat U familie heeft overvallen. Mijn vrouw wilde U al mailen hoe het met U was, maar ze durfde niet. In ieder geval sterkte van mij en mijn vrouw. Mooie foto, voor Uw dierbare.
gr. jaap

  • Great 
  • wuta Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 855 W: 2 N: 617] (2142)
  • [2006-08-31 14:52]

Hallo Loot , Fijn dat je terug bent , gecondoleerd met het verlies van je moeder ,en sterkte gewenst voor jou en de familie .Het is een practige orchidee,mooie kleur en bg , Groeten Teunie .

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3089 W: 230 N: 6774] (23770)
  • [2006-09-01 2:56]

Hi Loot,
I am very sorry for your loss. A lovely dedication to a much beloved mother and grandmother. The orchid is presented in a wonderful POV, with sharp details that actually reflect the delicate texture of the yellow petals. The beautiful light makes the colors come alive.
My thoughts are with you and Anna through these difficult times.
Thank you for sharing.

Hello Loot

I am sorry for your loss. This is a beautiful tribute to your mother-in-law. Very nice saturation of colour. Very good camera work. TFS.

hi loot, nice to see you back again,
and deepest sympathies for your loss!
a wonderful flower for a great tribute.
take care & best wishes from cologne, thorsten.

Hello Loot, Im so very sorry for your loss, Its it a wonderful tribut, for the family, great work, deails and colors are really spot on, excellent use of light and excellent use of DOF Perefct work.

  • Great 
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1659 W: 95 N: 2273] (8415)
  • [2006-09-01 16:23]

Hi Loot,
A good news to admire your posts and enjoy your excellent critics again! You have gone through a bad patch. I'm quite sorry for the loss.
Best regards,
José M.
I hope that Chocolate Treatment will give the expected result!

Hello Loot,
good to see you back to TN.
Sorry to hear about the hard time you had.
The orchid you present is is a wonderful dedication to a beloved one. Powerful, optimistic, very positive.
Thank you! My best regards,
Peter

Hallo Loot,
Alles is al gezegd. Zo, wat kan ik nog
hieraan toevoegen.
groeten,
Rein

  • Great 
  • Gudule Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 248 W: 11 N: 288] (1204)
  • [2006-09-11 22:13]

Heureux que vous soyez de retour, Loot.
Je vous présente toutes mes sympathies pour la douleur qui vous a affecté, ainsi que les membres de votre famille.
Je souhaite que vous reveniez complètement à la santé, pour nous présenter encore d'aussi extraordinaires photos, comme cette très belle fleur.

JN.

hi Lot, this is fantstic shot of yelou beauty. Orchid are always fantastic bur your photo make this even more. TFS
Marjan

Hello Loot,
You have chosen a very beautiful photo to remember your mother-in-law, after his loss. Very pretty flower and details caught that are exquisite, as well as the colors and the composition.
I hope you return soon with your photos and encouraging critics and commentaries
A big hug

Hernán

Hello Loot.

Excellent image, nice composition and colors.

Regards.
Jose Luis.

Hallo Loot
At the time you dedicated this Leopard Orchid to my late mom, I was not a part of Trek Nature. Today I want to thank you for the thought. She would have turned 67 today as it would have been her birthday on the 18th March. This is a splendid portrait of a very beautiful flower with a rich and golden yellow colour. Love the shiny gloss on the petals and this once again this image shows how strong a simple composition can be. Sharpness, focus and finer detail are just great. Thanks for the tribute and wonderful notes, it is much appreciated. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your day.
Loot
Anna

My friend Loot
A great image and just as great dedication for Anna's mom. A beautiful flower with glowing details which you presented in a stunning manner as always. I like the shine it has on the petals. A nice, crisp clear and sharp image with great lightning and exposure. Orchids are always so pretty and tastefully displayed, and your presentation is even better than better. Excellent notes, done with taste and respect to your late mother in law. Thanks for posting. Best regards,
Warmest regards.
Aaltjie

Hello Loot

'n Pragtige orgideetjie, 'n hartroerende toewyding, 'n puik foto en 'n besondere nota. Ek is oortuig jou skoonmoeder sou 'n traan afgevee het as sy kon sien wat jy vir of oor haar geskryf het. Ek weet, want ek het.

Jy het hierdie blom met gevoelvolle smaak en styl afgeneem en vertoon. Ek kan sien daar het meer in hierdie foto ingegaan as wat dalk op die voorgrond vertoon. Daar is liefde en hartseer te bespeur wat met 'n besondere toewyding op sy netjieste voorberei en vertoon is. Ek dink jy het dalk 'n tikkie van jou sagter sy vir ons gewys. Jammer as ek dalk te veel in die foto lees, maar dit is eerlikwaar my gevoel en obserwasie.

Groete
Rehanna

Hi Loot
Ek sien jou punte met hierdie orgidee het mooi opgetel - dit is voorwaar 'n baie mooi foto. Dink jou skoonma sou trots wees om haar naam aan so mooi blom gekoppel te kon hê.

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