Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris)

S.vulgaris is an eatable plant, sometimes also considered as a weed. The flowers are frequently visited by nocturnal butterflies, like other species of the genus Silene.
The visibly white flowers are rendered blue in the UV-images, while the centre of the flower seems brighter and the pollen is UV-dark.

Flowers were photographed in Bensheim, Germany  2 July 2013.

All images were taken with a broadband-modified Panasonic Lumix G1 and the EL-Nikkor 80mm/f5.6 at f8.

Click on the images to enlarge them.

Visible light image with Baader UV/IR cut filter, ISO 100

image reference: CHA_P1090716_130702


UV-image, Baader U-filter 2”, ISO 400, 1/30 s,UV-flash & sunlight.

image reference: CHA_P1090719_130702

Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera)

Like many species of the genus O. apifera is very variable and individuals from different locations can look quite different. Several species of the genus Ophrys are attracting male insects, mostly bees that regard them as females and try to mate with the flower. However,

O. apifera is said to be self-pollinating in central Europe. Despite that fact the pattern on the central labellum (lip) does reflect visible and ultraviolet light. The sepals on the other hand are bright pink in visible light but pretty UV-dark.

Flowers were photographed near Bensheim, Germany  1 July 2013.

All images were taken with a broadband-modified Panasonic Lumix G1 and the EL-Nikkor 80mm/f5.6 at f8.

Visible light image with Baader UV/IR cut filter, ISO 200

image reference: CHA_P1090647_130701


UV-image, Baader U-filter 2”, ISO 400, UV-flash & sunlight. The image suffers from some motion blur but should be fine for documentary purposes.

image reference: CHA_P1090661_130701