Orchid, queen of flowers. A splendor of flowers that also inspires us. There are up to 25,000 species worldwide. About 90 of these grow wild in Germany. Depending on the season, different orchid blossoms can be admired. The first orchids of the year bloom in April, most species can then be admired in May and June. Most of these beauties are rare to very rare and are therefore under special protection. It is not easy to spot them, also due to the size of some species. For example, the single flower of the fly orchid measures only 5 mm. Usually 3 to 4 of these tiny ones are found on one stem.
The Lizard Orchid is different. Despite its height of up to 1 meter, it is also difficult to find. It is extremely rare and inconspicuous at first glance. But it is worth taking a second look at the beautiful details of the individual flowers with their almost artistic shapes.
Of the total of 13 orchid species that we were able to photograph in the Surroundings of our place of residence within 3 weeks, two species of Ophrys have grown dear to our hearts: the bee orchid and the Ophrys holoserica. They fascinate with their colorful, velvety flowers and their very elegant growth shape. Little works of art of nature that invite you to be amazed.
Orchid hybrids that can be found between two species or the “albino variant” of a species are also very attractive. A snow-white lady orchid blooms in one of the places every year. Visible from afar, it stands out from its purple conspecifics. Such rarities can cause real pilgrimages for orchid lovers. At such moments we wonder how many people know of the existence of such a curiosity.
All these beauties do not make it easy for the photo enthusiast to take a picture, especially in macro photography. They prefer to grow in meadows that tend to be on steep slopesd on your knees on hard, uneven ground you painfully realize that your 30th birthday must have been a little longer ago. But we are happy to pay this price for good pictures.
However, we owe such photos to a friend, orchid friend and local expert that such photos can be taken at all. Without him we would still chase wild orchids with the camera today and dream of beautiful photos of such unique plants.our excursions to the local orchids, we naturally encounter many other flowering plants that have their charm in the meadows. These include salad burnet (garden burnet), sanicle, horseshoe vetch and wild garlic as well as the pasqueflower.
Macro photography also helps us perceive details that our eyes would otherwise not see. Many a flower only reveals its full beauty on such photos. If the photographic interest is awakened, there is an urge to learn more about the plant. Admittedly, so far our training focus has been exclusively on animal identification books from East and South Africa and Brazil. We know our way around. Germany? Nothing. It took 20 years before we discovered the nature of our homeland with the camera. But what is the saying: Better late than never!