Pterostylis nutans with its likely pollinator, a fungus gnat of some sort.
In my last post I wrote about the first month of my PhD experience, about getting all the paperwork in order, about the enormity of planning for the next four years. So what am I actually studying?
In short, orchids and fungus gnats! Yep, fungus gnats. Let me explain.
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A good way to make your subject stand out is to create an even background with no distracting colours or patterns. This can be done in a few different ways. Perhaps the simplest way is to use the physics of the lens you have to blur the background behind your subject. Telephoto lenses and macro lens when focused close can achieve this. Alternatively, you can create a white or black background to add some contrast and drama to your image. This can be done by over-exposing or under-exposing your background, or by using a prop in the background (such as a white sheet of paper or a black object).
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Writing the previous blog post about Wahlenbergia from photographs taken almost a year ago actually inspired me to photograph more. While writing it, I realised I didn't have any good photos of Wahlenbergia gloriosa, the royal bluebell. And why the royal bluebell? Because it is the floral emblem of the ACT.
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Native bluebells wonderful little herbaceus plants with beautiful blue-ish to purple-ish flowers. Throughout spring, summer and autumn the grasslands around Canberra are dotted with various species of Wahlenbergia - the native bluebells. The floral emblem of the ACT is actually a bluebell - Wahlenbergia gloriosa - although I don't think many people trek up to the Brindabellas to see it. Random fact: bluebell flowers are edible, although I can confirm they don't taste like much.
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This summer has been a hot one.
My partner, Ali, and I have been living on her parent's bush block at Clear Range, not far from Tharwa. We share 100 hectares of grassy woodland with lots of kangaroos, some deer, a few very destructive pigs, brown and tiger snakes, a plague of locusts, the odd echidna and many beautiful birds. And, of course, the plants.
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