Stemless Thistle - Carlina acaulis in reflected ultraviolet photography and simulated bee vision

Today shots of a decorative flower, Stemless Thistle - Carlina acaulis in reflected ultraviolet photography using my "work horse" UV filter, the Baader-U filter as well as in simulated bee vision using my XBV6 filter. Lens was my CERCO 94mm quartz flourite lens. Light source was sunlight. All shots were done at about f5.6.

[click on image to see a larger one]

Visible light image  

UV image using Baader-U filter (approx. 320-395nm, effective peak approx. 375nm):  

Simulated bee vision image using experimental XBV filter:  

Triptych of the above images:  


This decorative flower has a specific UV pattern, its petals are quite UV bright around 385nm and the flower center is quite UV dark, and all this gets nicely visible.


Stay tuned, more will follow on that fascinating subject...