Spiranthes vernalis

[prem]

This past weekend, we went on an outing hoping to photograph the critically endangered Scrub Lupine in flower, however, they were all well past flowering (note to self: go about 2-3 weeks earlier next time). The consolation prize was a number of Spiranthes vernalis growing along various roadsides in the southern Orlando area (I don't see them in the northern area near our home...we must herbicide them to death or something up here).

Here are some photos:

First, a flower spike.



Now, a flower closeup with a crab spider hanging out waiting to prey upon a pollinator:



Enjoy!
---Prem

[Ysa]

Beautiful

[Justin Parkkonen]

Very cool shots. That spider must be tiny!

[Ghost Hunter]

Great shots. I dig the black background too. Contrasts amazingly with the white orchid. I'm guessing that's photoshop'd?

Good stuff. Wish we has those guys down in south Florida.


Living life one photo at a time.

[prem]

Ysa, Justin, thanks for the kind words. GH, the background is a piece of black cloth. I do use PhotoShop to adjust the levels to pure black. I have not seen vernalis in south FL, but I have seen S. laciniata outside the entrance to CREW in June.

[Justin Parkkonen]

Originally Posted by prem

Ysa, Justin, thanks for the kind words. GH, the background is a piece of black cloth. I do use PhotoShop to adjust the levels to pure black. I have not seen vernalis in south FL, but I have seen S. laciniata outside the entrance to CREW in June.

I've seen a species in the Fakahatchee too. A very large species.

[flhiker]

Nice, did you knock the spider off for the first shot?LOL

How did your trip to Flamingo go?

[ronaldhanko]

Nice species and nice photos.

[prem]

Ron, thank you for the kind words. Justin, that was a different spike in the first photo. Our trip to the Glades was good...I have not yet posted the boothiana or undulatum (plants, no flowers) yet.

[Tindomul]

Wow, really really kool pictures! That spider is amazing blending in with the flowers. Nice job finding the Spiranthis!