Tag: “bill duncan”
Missouri Orchids – Spiranthes ovalis var. erostellata (oval ladies’-tresses)
Spiranthes ovalis var. erostellata can be very difficult to find. Usually growing in groups of ones and twos, it is a small plant that prefers shadier locations that get dappled sunlight. I want to thank John Oliver for all his assistance getting me on this and a number of other Spiranthes species this year.
This species of ladies’-tresses is known for its graceful and diminutive flowers. Casey and I found only a couple of plants, each with flowers rather less developed than hoped for. I’m not sure if we were a day or two early, or if this might be all to expect from this population. We found these plants alongside trails at Babler State Park in mid-September.
-OZB
The Queen Orchid – Showy Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium reginae)
I was thrilled to be able to photograph this stunner of an orchid this past spring. Thanks to Casey Galvin who turned me on to this tiny population in Shannon County, MO.
The Showy Lady’s Slipper is currently ranked as S2/S3 in Missouri, meaning this species is imperiled/vulnerable. We carefully tread around these guys and hide their specific locations as this is a species that may still be poached for horticulture purposes.
Preview of the rut
Miguel and I have been having some fun this year photographing the white-tailed deer rut. More photos and a potential article to follow this preview.
Tragidion coquus – Second Time!
f/18, 1/30 sec., ISO-400, 234 mm focal length equivalent
For the second year in a row, a special beetle that has been described by our own Ted MacRae as “one of the rarest and most beautiful species of longhorned beetle to occur in Missouri” was found during the joint field trip of the WGNSS Entomology and Nature Photography groups at Hughes Mountain Natural Area. Tragidion coquus, purported to be spider wasp mimics, mine in dead oak branches and can be found in flight between June and November. I wasn’t happy with my photos of last year’s specimen (also a female), so I was thrilled to be able to take the time and set her on some foliage with fall colors. It was an almost disaster as she was able to take flight before we were finished. But, having the quick reflexes of a Marvel superhero, I was able to catch her out of the air with a quick grab with just a slight kink in her antennae in consequence.
Birds of North Carolina Coast – Ruddy Turnstone
f/5.6, 1/1600 sec., ISO-500, 540 mm focal length equivalent
Return to Vilander Bluff
f/11, ISO-160, 32 mm focal length, three exposure blend of 1/60, 1/15, 1/4 sec.
I had a great time introducing some photographer friends of mine to one of my favorite places in the state, Vilander Bluff. With the largest bluffs on the Meramec River, to get the type of view seen here requires a little bit of effort. Dave and I put in some work in finding this new-to-me perspective that was well worth the bit of effort and risk. Next time we’ll need to bring climbing ropes…
f/5.6, 1/6 sec., ISO-1250, 45 mm focal length
First Merlin of the Season!
f/8, 1/1600 sec., ISO-640, 1600 mm focal length equivalent
A trip to Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary last weekend paid off. I crossed paths with this juvenile Merlin, my first of this season, three different times. In this instance I had my camera prepared. He kindly perched long enough that I could swap for the 2X teleconverter. I think the 2X performed pretty well in this perfect light, but heat distortion was a major problem on this cool but sunny day.
f/10, 1/800 sec., ISO-500, 1600 mm focal length equivalent
Wallen Creek Shut-ins
f/14, 1/2 sec., ISO-200, 29 mm focal length.
Many thanks to Casey Galvin tracking this one down and to the property owners allowing us access.
f 5.6, 1/10 sec., ISO-100, (0 mm focal length.
f/11, 1/2 sec., ISO-125, 90 mm focal length, vertical stitch of three images.
f/8, 1/5 sec., ISO-160, 90 mm focal length.
f/14, 15 sec., ISO-200, 19 mm focal length.
Missouri Orchids – Spiranthes lacera (slender ladies tresses)
I only managed to photograph one of the Spiranthes this year. I had opportunities for others, but I just couldn’t get to the right place at the right time. Good news is that it shouldn’t be too difficult to add them next year.
A bit closer really shows off the delicate details in flower and twisting stem.
A Thousand Acres of Silphiums 