[click on image gets you a larger image]
Here photographic results I got (took multiple images while rotating the filter), presented as animated gifs....
Lewisia flowers through a rotating circular polarizer in A-mode i.e. exposure compensated...
Reflected UV light - Sunlight:
This flower shows some interesting small changes in the polarization angle on the petals, but especially there is some on its anters. Bees have sensors on the outer ring of their compound eyes which are able to detect polarized light, so that might give this flower an advantage.
Reflected UV photography in polarized light shows quite some usefulness, especially if there are (glossy) surfaces which change the polarization angle of light and which the polarizer filter makes visible. Downside is that one needs about 2 stops more exposure, due to the low approx. 25% transmission.
Some insects are able to see the polarization angle (and btw. we humans can also, but needs some traing: Haidinger's Brush) especially honeybees which navigate using the polarization angle of ultraviolet (UV) light.
I have written more about using UV polarizers HERE
I have written more about that Lewisia 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
