NOVEMBER 2010 CHALLENGE THEME - TERRESTRIAL ORCHIDS OF VICTORIA

[Carmyllie]

My #2 entry was taken today and I am still shaking from the excitement of locating a small colony of Flying Duck Orchids - Caleana Major. Photographed in the Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve.

[Analog6]

Doesn't it look like a duck!  That's amazing, Jen, and well captured too

[Tim N]

I can see why they call it a flying duck orchid !
Are they rare ?

[Carmyllie]

Not endangered Tim, to my knowledge but I've been photographing orchids for 2 years now and this was the first I've seen ( there were 4 plants in the colony). Sadly, with many species, they're becoming quite rare to find, due to urban development, the illegal removal of native orchids from their natural habitat, and of course many other factors which endanger their pollenation for another year.

[Tim N]

I had heard that it was a big problem people taking wild orchids out of their habitats and that many are becoming rare.

[Analog6]

They are certainly beautiful, I hate people who dig up wild things to take them home.  They usually die anyway.

I saw a nice one on RedBubble Jen - is this a wild orchid?
http://www.redbubble.com/people/leeophotography/art/6232139-1-scented-sun-orchid

[Ross and Cher]

very nicely done - an umusual and appropriately named specimen!!!

[Carmyllie]

Thanks everyone. It was a bit of a thrill finding this. You have to bear in mind that some treks I spend 10 and 12 hours away from home, often with 6 or more hours driving. It's worth every pair of walking boots I wear out I just love the challenge of finding a needle in a haystack , so to speak.

Yes Odille that's a native terrestrial orchid and I'm putting a blue spotted one up as my #4 after I shower, because it's been a longggg day.

[christophm]

What a beautiful flower living up to it's name!  Great catch, Jenn.

[tommykelso]

Love the composition to this one... giving it a very interesting shape... well done