Thursday, December 18, 2008

Epidendrum, Crucifix Orchid




A red flowering form of Epidendrum (Crucifix Orchid) growing loosely tied to a bottlebrush tree in our front yard. It spends most of its time and energy growing away from the shade the tree casts, it would much prefer to be left to fend for itself under the full punishment of the sun. But when grown that way, I think the whole thing just looks too flea bitten and untidy. So suffer it must in the dappled shade.

Its been a real beast to try to photo. Red is naturally a tough colour to get right, and it is not right here. But I need the next flowers to open to have another go...and with any luck, they will be closer to the gardens edge, so I wont have to use the zoom to get them ;)

6 comments:

Lavender said...

Hey Everybody!!!
For some reason, my computer is crashing when I use my Google Reader - (ERGH) - so Ive been having to re-start my system so many times, that Im sure Ive missed responding to many of your recent posts....VERY SORRY!!! Will be back on track as soon as I can - hope your systems are running smoothly, Ciao!

Anonymous said...

Can it be true? I think I have exactly the same Epidendrum with those red kind of turned over flowers at home. I also never manage to photograph it well and the colours come out pinkish or lilac but not the way they are. This shot actually gets very close, for I know that it is almost impossible with this one. Will post my Epidendrum pics so you can check if it could be the same...

Melanie said...

Reds are a pain to get right arnt they? I love the frilly edges.

Lavender said...

Areeiro LOL Wow! Its a small world, isnt it? :) I only just found out that there are more colours than red and orange, including a lavender...but you say yours is even harder to photo true to colour - I wonder why that is - look forward to seeing your shots.

Melanie Id love to get you a really close shot, those frilly edges are dramatic. Red is prettu notorious for being a pain to photo, and it seems to me its time I tried to find the 'secret' to getting around that - keep fingers crossed :)

Ces Adorio said...

Did you use a macro lens? The details are great Lavender. You sure have some unique plants and flowers down there.

Lavender said...

Ces No macro with this shot Ces, but TEEHEEHEE very soon I will have one - and a way to use my close up set...so....anything could happen after that Teeheeeheee Im like a kid in a candy store :) Very happy! (and a bit silly too, apparently.....)