Mo Devlin
August 2026 - Wild Orchid
About the Image(s)
A few years back I picked up a gig photographing local preserves for a land conservatory. My only instructions were to go photograph nature in each of the preserves. Animals. Flowers, trees… wherever my lens led me. Great job. While doing this I was shocked to discover that one of the locations was an orchid bog. I live in Northeastern Pennsylvania, so seeing wild orchids growing alongside a powerline was quite unexpected. Meet the Tuberous Grass-pink. The grass pink has an unusual palletization method. With flowers, Insects are drawn to the nectar and come away dusted in pollen. And while this flower looks like it has tempting white buffet, it actually doesn’t produce any nectar at all. Instead, It relies on some clever engineering and young dumb bees. The bee flies into the welcoming part and because of the structure of the bloom it folds and slams her little Bee butt on the bottom where the pollen is placed. Mother nature counts on the inexperienced new bees to do the deed.
Nikon Z6III, 105 mm, 1/250th @F11.
11 comments posted
Wild orchids are so beautiful. The bee adds some energy to the image! I wish there were not as many green lines but otherwise very nice.
Posted: 08/03/2026 14:42:05
You have found and photographed a native bog Orchid that grows in your area and have made a very good documentary image of it and the habitat it grows in. The bee adds interest.
Photographing native wildflowers can be a difficult task. Many grow in very messy habitats that no amount of "house cleaning" is possible without destroying the wild flower. I think this was the case with your Bog Orchid.
Posted: 08/04/2026 04:38:18
I am learning that there are about 230 species of Orchids in Greater North America!
Posted: 08/04/2026 17:08:54
I was wondering if cropping in to make the flower stand out more, and make the bee a little more evident might make a difference, what do kyou think. Posted: 08/16/2026 18:08:43
I like both versions. Yours, Mo, is more "flower oriented". The one of Ed is, at my opinion more "bee oriented". Both are nice and there are different.
Nice colors.
I am even surprised the bee is sharp at 1/250 the. Well done. Posted: 08/21/2026 10:33:36
What a fascinating backstory! Knowing how this orchid tricks young, inexperienced bees makes capturing that tiny bee in flight even more rewarding.
The intersecting green leaves strengthen the graphic impact while anchoring the image firmly in its wild, untamed bog habitat. It reminds us that this is a part of nature on its own terms rather than a sterile studio setup. The vibrant purple against the lush greens is striking. Great capture and storytelling! Posted: 08/23/2026 18:57:04