P31_731

Dark Wonder
The orchid (Catasetum saccatum) is known by exotic names like ‘Dark Wonder’ or ‘Dark Warrior’ due to its wine-colored, dark petals and sepals. As with all orchids, there are many wonders to behold: one need only observe its displayed form, color tones, and incredible pollination mechanism. An advanced contemplation practice cancels out the superficiality of our time and its disconnection from nature (nature deficit disorderNature Deficit Disorder – Nature Deficiency is a phrase coined by Richard Louv in his 2005 book “The Last Child in the Woods” which means that humans, especially children, are spending less time outdoors resulting in a wide range of behavioral problems, a type of illness that introduces types of debilitation of physical and emotional order. More). The relationship with nature is fundamental and therapeutic and is part of a good quality of life. Any earthling with a minimum of sensitivity perceives the value of admiring the beauties of their planet and thus… healing from whatever is needed.

P31_731 – Leonide Principe
Camera Nikon F5 with Micro Nikkor lens 60mm f2.8 – Diapositive Film Fujichrome Velvia 50 – Scanner: Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 5000 ED
Digitised from a positive on film –
Original file size: 5342px x 3569px
Location Taken: Arquipélago Mariuá (Barcelos – Amazonas Brazil)
Date Taken: 1997
Collection: Orchids – Persons shown: none
Keywords:
Mariuá, Barcelos, Amazonas, Amazônia, Amazon, Amazonian, Brazil, Brasil, Brazilian, América do Sul, South America, Catasetum saccatum, orquídeas, orchids, flores, bloom, blooming, blossom, flowers, FLORA, plantas, plants, epífitas, epiphyte
EN1 Dark wonder P31_731
PT1 Maravilha escura P31_731
© – Leonide Principe, all right reserved
https://leonideprincipe.photos

P31_729

Cluster of Catasetum saccatum
A cluster of flowers emerges right after blooming, seemingly out of nowhere. This fact alone is a great reason for wonder. Orchid lover observe the plant, witnessing the moment when the blooming starts. It’s life manifesting itself! He follows the whole process and are aware of the miracle happening in front of his eyes, every day a little more until the culmination of vigor. All that energy intertwines between the plant and the observer, who benefits from the process not just through simple contemplation. The effects of the event involve the cellular structure of both participants.

P31_729 – Leonide Principe
Camera Nikon F5 with Micro Nikkor lens 60mm f2.8 – Diapositive Film Fujichrome Velvia 50 – Scanner: Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 5000 ED
Digitised from a positive on film –
Original file size: 3510px x 5313px
Location Taken: Arquipélago Mariuá (Barcelos – Amazonas Brazil)
Date Taken: 1997
Collection: Orchids – Persons shown: none
Keywords:
Mariuá, Barcelos, Amazonas, Amazônia, Amazon, Amazonian, Brazil, Brasil, Brazilian, América do Sul, South America, Catasetum saccatum, orquídeas, orchids, flores, bloom, blooming, blossom, flowers, FLORA, plantas, plants, epífitas, epiphyte
EN2 Cluster of Catasetum P31_729
PT2 Cacho de Catasetum P31_729
© – Leonide Principe, all right reserved
https://leonideprincipe.photos

P31_733

Perfume for the seducer
At a certain time of day, at the most favorable time, the atomic clock of Catasetum saccatum activates the production of an irresistible fragrance inside the flower and immediately the premeditated pollinator is enchanted by the smell and flies to its source. This is a big bee the mangangá (Bombus sp.), also know as orchid bee. And the wonders never end. Everything is perfectly calculated, the size of the bee perfectly fits the mechanism that triggers the pollen at the right point, on the insect’s back, while it is inebriated by the fragrance. Nature reveals its secrets to the persistent researcher as the deeper as he goes, the more wonder he finds. I am already aware of the orchid’s perfect plan, how everything was meticulously engineered for the essential purpose of the continuation of the specie. And the orchid bee? What will be the purpose of the orchid bee?
Like the infamous Casanova, the orchid bee is getting ready for a party, and he knows that the beautiful lady will not be able to resist the inebriating perfume… one might think of a fantasized narration… but no, believe me, there is an ineffable intelligence all around us.
The photo was taken during the day despite the black background inducing a night time. In macro photography, it is convenient to use one or more flashes and close the diaphragm as much as possible to increase the depth of field, as this allows for a more distributed sharpness over the flower. This way the foreground is well lit by the flash. The rather dark background, such as dense vegetation in the understory, remains heavily underexposed, with little or nothing being reached by the flash. This creates a strong contrast.

P31_733 – Leonide Principe
Camera Nikon F5 with Micro Nikkor lens 60mm f2.8 – Diapositive Film Fujichrome Velvia 50 – Scanner: Nikon SUPER COOLSCAN 5000 ED
Digitised from a positive on film
Original file size: 5342px x 3591px
Location Taken: Arquipélago Mariuá (Barcelos – Amazonas Brazil)
Date Taken: 1997
Collection: Orchids – Persons shown: none
Keywords:
Mariuá, Barcelos, Amazonas, Amazônia, Amazon, Amazonian, Brazil, Brasil, Brazilian, América do Sul, South America, Catasetum saccatum, orquídeas, orchids, flores, bloom, blooming, blossom, flowers, FLORA, plantas, plants, epífitas, epiphyte, mamangava, Bombus sp, bumblebee, mangangá, abelhas, bees, insetos, insects, FAUNA, animals
EN3 Perfume for the seducer P31_733
PT3 Perfume para o sedutor P31_733
© – Leonide Principe, all right reserved
https://leonideprincipe.photos

A38_7158

Curious finger
It is surprising for first-time observers to see how the pollination mechanism works. There is a trigger, which stands out well on the flower and which, at the slightest approach, shoots the pollinia onto the back of the manganga tree. The finger of the curious observer just illustrates how it works and my kids love doing it. It is difficult to explain that they cannot shoot all the pollinia, they have to leave some for the pollinator, as he is the legitimate messenger to reach and inform another flower…

A38_7158 – Leonide Principe
Equipment: NIKON D2X with lens AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8 set at 60 mm – Exposition: ISO: 100 – Aperture: 22 – Shutter: 1/60 – Program: Aperture Priority – Exp. Comp.: -2.0,
Original digital capture of a real life scene
Original file size: 4320px x 2868px
Location: Abra144 (Presidente Figueiredo – Amazonas Brazil)
Date: March 13, 2007 – Time: 2:25:54 PM
Collection: – Persons shown: Geo
Keywords:
Mariuá, Barcelos, Amazonas, Amazônia, Amazon, Amazonian, Brazil, Brasil, Brazilian, América do Sul, South America, Catasetum saccatum, orquídeas, orchids, flores, bloom, blooming, blossom, flowers, FLORA, plantas, plants, crianças, children, GENTE, PEOPLE, Geo, família, family, epífitas, epiphyte
EN4 Curious finger A38_7158
PT4 Dedo curioso A38_7158
© – Leonide Principe, all right reserved
https://leonideprincipe.photos

A38_7170

Child curiosity
as every child is curious, the finger is drawn to the critical point and triggers a surprising reaction: the plant is alive! The pollinia jumps on the finger, and the child understands: this is how the message travels on the pollinator’s shores, from one flower to another.

A38_7170 – Leonide Principe
Equipment: NIKON D2X with lens AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8 set at 60 mm – Exposition: ISO: 100 – Aperture: 20 – Shutter: 1/60 – Program: Aperture Priority – Exp. Comp.: -2.0,
Original digital capture of a real life scene
Original file size: 4320px x 2868px
Location: Abra144 (Presidente Figueiredo – Amazonas Brazil)
Date: March 13, 2007 – Time: 2:33:29 PM
Collection: – Persons shown: Geo
Keywords:
Mariuá, Barcelos, Amazonas, Amazônia, Amazon, Amazonian, Brazil, Brasil, Brazilian, América do Sul, South America, Catasetum saccatum, orquídeas, orchids, flores, bloom, blooming, blossom, flowers, FLORA, plantas, plants, crianças, children, GENTE, PEOPLE, Geo, família, family, epífitas, epiphyte
EN5 Curious finger #2 A38_7170
PT5 Dedo curioso #2 A38_7170
© – Leonide Principe, all right reserved
https://leonideprincipe.photos