As shown before, Rudbeckia fulgida shows quite an impressive UV pattern, but there is more to discover. So using my famous calibrated X135 lens, a tilt/shift bellows, the great Baader U and UV/IR Cut Filter and my 365nm Nichia UV LED the following may be seen [click on image to see larger images]:
Visual shot:
UV shot:
UV induced visible flourescence shot (UV not suppressed):
UV induced visible flourescence shot (UV suppressed, using Baader UV/IR Cut filter):
So it may be seen that the pollen shows some impressive fluorescence, but also the other inner parts of the flower show different flourescence patterns!
Let's now have a look at how bees might see that now using my "bee vision algorithm" which remaps UV into our visual space as blue, so as if we had UV sight :
It is quite obvious, that the flower center has some strong UV reflectance which most likely help to attract pollinators such as bees and bumble bees. And the following picture now would be the bee's view (since bees don't see red):
The calibrated for UV X135 lens has again proven, how great it works for visual and UV shots, also for macro.
Stay tuned, more will follow on that fascinating subject...
More info on this very interesting field may be found on my site http://www.pbase.com/kds315/uv_photos
