Juniper Springs, Ocala

[footTRAX]

I kayaked the Juniper springs run in Ocala and was amazed how many different species of orchids I saw. I thought I would share some photos.


Habenaria odontopetala (Toothed Rein Orchids)


Shadow-Witch Ponthieva Racemosa Mohr


Green Fly Orchid


Fragrant Ladies- Tresses

[Justin Parkkonen]

Well done Chris, looks like the Fakahatchee of the north.

I especially love that Shadow Witch, I've never seen one in person.

Is that Greenfly growing on a fallen log? Almost makes it semi-terrestrial.

[footTRAX]

It was on a oak tree over the water and very hard to shot a photo of it. I was in my kayak when I took that photo. I would sink to knees in mud if I got out. I recommend anybody to go do that trip. Tons of orchids on the trees and the river banks. The trip is about 5 miles. It took me 5 1/2 hours to do because I was stopping to get out and take photos.

[footTRAX]

Here are some views of the water. Super clear and clean looking.





Here is the spring with the swimming hole.



It's a very pretty place....

[CTB]

Beautiful pictures, what type of lens are you using.?

[footTRAX]

I moslty use a EF-S 55-250mm zoom lens.
I don't have the money right now to buy a good macro lens.
Plus I got a bisic lens that came with the camera.
EFS 18-55mm
I really don't like using that lens. I can never get a good shot with it..

[CTB]

I can't use my 50/200 without the tripod, let alone in a kayak. By the time I gety all set for the picture the wind start to blow, just enough to mess up. Your pics are very nice. TFS

[footTRAX]

Thank you
Plus, I am still learning how to use my camera.
You can see more of my photos at
Flickr: footTRAX (Chris Evans)'s Photostream

[CTB]

Thanks, I'll check them out

[prem]

Chris,
as an aside, if you want to get good shots of stuff underwater from above the surface, a polarizing filter can eliminate a lot of the reflection...the only downside is that it also eliminates quite a bit of light, so you'll have to compensate for that.

---Prem