Bidens ferulifolia, trichromatic human and bee vision UV ultraviolet photography

Today about a Bidens ferulifolia spring flower shot in UV using a Baader U (320-390nm) and a special Bee Vision filter, that allows to map UV as blue into an image so as to simulate what bees can see (UV, Blue, Green). Shot was done using a Cerco 94mm quartz fluorite lens.

[click on image to see a larger one]

Visual light shot (VIS):


Ultraviolet light (Baader U filter, 320-390nm):


Simulated Bee Vision (special filter, UV->Blue, Green, Red):


Triptych of those images above:


Note the dark center UV pattern which is also pertained in the bee vision shot and the UV bright outer petal part, which together create a very attractive nectar guiding "landing platform" for bees / insects.

Quite interesting what this all yellow (for us) flower looks like compared to what it does for a bee or insect.


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