Ghost Orchids in the Columbia River Gorge

[ronaldhanko]

Unique and wonderful plants and rightly called "Phantom Orchids"



Native Orchids of the Pacific Northwest and the Canadian Rockies: Ghost Orchids in the Columbia River Gorge

[billc]

That's a neat white stem.

Bill

[ronaldhanko]

Thanks for looking and commenting, Bill.

[JaneEyre]

That is gorgeous! I've been trying to find one at Sequoia national park couple years ago for the website but without any luck. We went on numerous hikes just to look for that orchid. It's a rare plant there but I think we missed the right time of the year.

I love your photo, such a nice snow white. Do you mind telling me what exposure you used? I have a hard time with white subjects.

[ronaldhanko]

Originally Posted by JaneEyre

That is gorgeous! I've been trying to find one at Sequoia national park couple years ago for the website but without any luck. We went on numerous hikes just to look for that orchid. It's a rare plant there but I think we missed the right time of the year.

I love your photo, such a nice snow white. Do you mind telling me what exposure you used? I have a hard time with white subjects.

Hi Jane,
It's a rare orchid here also but happens to be very abundant at Dog Mountain - we saw them everywhere we looked. As to the EXIF info, I don't mind at all:

Camera - Canon EOS 7D
Exposure - 0.05 sec (1/20)
Aperture - f/8.0
Focal Length -100 mm
ISO Speed - 800
Exposure Bias - -1 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program - Aperture-priority AE

Should add that this was taken on a tripod with a remote shutter release under extremely trying conditions, a dark day in dark woodlands with a breeze blowing. Caught this one when the wind was still, otherwise 1/20 would have been impossible.

[tuvoc]

My first thought was how hauntingly beautiful. Totally appropriate for a 'ghost'.

Kim

[WhiteRabbit]

Wow! What a sight that must of been, to see hundreds of them! What an awesome treat!

[ronaldhanko]

Thanks, Kim and Sonya. There are some of these wild orchids that we go back to see every year. They are just amazing.

[nenella]

Very, Very Cool Ron! I love white flowers and your close up where one can see the yellow coloured center of the flower is just TOP!
Thanks for posting.

[ronaldhanko]

Thanks, Nenella. Most of the species of Cephalanthera grow over your way. This is the only North American species from the genus and it is one of our rarest, one of our most beautiful, but also one of our strangest orchids.