Ladyslipper - Cypripedum sp in reflected ultraviolet photography, simulated butterfly and bee vision

Today shots of a decorative flower (actually two, as there are also orange Welsh Poppies - Meconopsis cambrica mixed in), a Ladyslipper - Cypripedium sp in reflected ultraviolet photography using my "work horse" UV filter, the Baader-U filter as well as my XBV filters for simulating bee and butterfly vision. Lens was a CERCO 94mm quartz fluorite lens. Light source was sun. 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 butterfly vision (UV - VIS) using XBV3 filter:
 

Simulated bee vision (UV - VIS) using XBV6 filter:
 

Simulated bee vision (UV - VIS) using XBV5 filter:
 

Quadriptych of some of the above:
 


This Ladyslipper flower has no very specific UV pattern, but quite UV bright around 390nm is its balloon formed lower petal. The Welsh Poppy petals reflect strongly around 365nm with a dark UV center and that all gets nicely visible.

There is more about that flower HERE.

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

Geranium x oxonianum in reflected ultraviolet photography, simulated butterfly and bee vision

Today shots of a decorative flower, a Geranium x oxonianum in reflected ultraviolet photography using my "work horse" UV filter, the Baader-U filter as well as my XBV filters for simulating bee and butterfly vision. Lens was a CERCO 94mm quartz fluorite lens. Light source was sun. 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 butterfly vision (UV - VIS) using XBV3 filter:
 

Simulated bee vision (UV - VIS) using XBV6 filter:
 

Simulated bee vision (UV - VIS) using XBV5 filter:
 

Quadriptych of some of the above:
 


This Geranium flower has a very specific UV pattern, UV bright petals reflecting UV around 370nm, a dark center in UV, but very striking dark UV veins running over the petals and this gets nicely visible.


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