Photography

[Coop]

@curlyoak, I’ve been to Florida once and unfortunately I was stuck in a hotel in Tampa at a three day conference. And I’m sure that Tampa’s climate is entirely different than yours anyway. What are the ideal conditions to grow orchids as beautiful as yours? I researched it and our average year round humidity is 78%. Am I a candidate on a small time basis? 

[curlyoak]

Hi Coop, Houston has very good climate for growing orchids. People grow them with heated greenhouses in cold climates. I imagine that like me you may have some cold winter days. My warmest loving plants like 50 and above. A few plants can be brought in to the house. I have a lot of plants so I have a heated spot to manage that. In general they like morning sun and bright shade the rest of the day. But there are lots of variations to that. There are 35 to 40 thousand natural species. Not counting the hybrids. The best advice you can get usually is from the local growers. They know the tricks to competing with the local climate. There are hundreds of affiliated orchid societies around the country and the world. A big city like Houston might have several societies in the area. Look up the American orchid society. All the local clubs are affiliated and the AOS has all the contact info.

Go to a meeting. Experts to novice are welcome. Eventually you will get the bug. Then at the meeting you can stand up on the roll call and say hello my name is Coop and I am an orcholic. Just kidding. 

Generally we enjoy and encourage new members. Joining is the fastest way to overcome the knowledge. And the monthly meeting I look forward to. The big secret is that growing orchids is easy. Just different than all you know about plants.  They are air plants. less than 1% are terrestrial.

If you start you will probably enjoy a healthy addiction.

[curlyoak]

This is Brassavola 'little stars'. Nick named lady of the night. Because it is fragrant at night. And offers a sweet and spicy smell. The pollinator is nocturnal. This plant is a primary hybrid. Primary meaning both parents are species. Compared to other orchids, it is not the most on appearance. Regardless it is in demand globally because of the sweet and spicy. I believe that if us humans showed up much later, Half million or a million years later this plant would be natural to here in South Florida. It really likes it here. Our running joke to newbies  in our orchid club is if you cant grow brassavola get another hobby. We say that but don't really mean it.

[Coop]

Certainly not bragging on the quality of the photography but it has been a neat experience. I’ve been watching this and another like it for about 10-12 days. It’s a Monarch butterfly chrysalis. 

I noticed this morning that overnight, it had changed colors.

And about an hour later, this

And this afternoon, it had learned to fly

 

[wtnhighlander]

That's really cool, @Coop!

[Chestnut]

Fun. As kids we'd go around and pick the caterpillars off of milk weed bring them home and watch them devour food, pupate, and then emerge.

The really fun part was the following year they would migrate back to out house and reproduce on milkweed in our yard. It took a few years of raising them for this to happen though.

[curlyoak]

Blooming now.

[Chestnut]

Another snow storm made our back yard a winter wonderland.

[Coop]

That’s picture perfect but only as close as I want to get

[legenddc]

Snapped this with my phone while bringing out the trash. Full moon made everything bright for 8:30.

[curlyoak]

Tolumnia. A warm growing orchid found in the tropics. 

Nick named the dancing lady. With a breeze the flowers dance.

This type of orchid is photogenic on the close ups. You can see the head, arms, and the skirt of the dancing lady.

[Sophia0110]

I've made this photo with help of my DJI drone. I really love winter, it's the most beautiful season. 

[curlyoak]

Sophia ,nice picture! Where are you?  

[Sophia0110]

I had a vacation in Canada 

[Coop]

I take my drone on vacation with me too! 

Seriously though, neat pic. I have been thinking of getting a drone, just for the heck of it. Would be fun. Any recommendations? 

[tTow]

Love taking photos too. Love taking photos too. I'm just a beginners but I often check depositphotos to get some inspiration. There are royalty-free images and photos. I just downloaded office background images for my blog. It is probably one of the best stock hotos platform. If I need some new images I just discover large thematic collection of stock photography to find exactly what I need.

[curlyoak]

I award a temporary title, "centerfold". And this one had it for 3 weeks. From Asia. It flowers once a year.

[curlyoak]

This is the state flower for Singapore. Known as Miss Joachim. An orchid...

[Immortan D]

I shot this long exposure one from my apartment. Some guy juggling with fire sticks:

[Tpt life]

On Sanibel Island. Chasing what I can find. 

[Tom King]

How is the recovery looking on Sanibel?

[Tpt life]

26 minutes ago, Tom King said:

How is the recovery looking on Sanibel?

Loaded question…. Some businesses were open for the heavy season, only to close now for repairs and infrastructure maintenance. Most wild areas look like western wildfire went through, only the wood is still there…just very little green. Eating quite well tonight, and finding what we need. Captiva looks decent, money seems to make a huge difference in that regard. We aren’t typically big spenders looking for the touristy, but have been disappointed by a few things that were marked open online, but have closed now that they are not in the heavy travel season. We also have been surprised by how many businesses have put up signs that they are not returning. Brave faces everywhere. They have had time to adjust, but it is obvious they are hurting. Many properties just now being cleaned up.  

[Tpt life]

Lots of this still. 

[curlyoak]

This months best bloom.  And it has a pleasant fragrance. 

[curlyoak]

current blooms