Platanthera lacera - ragged fringed orchid

As a few of you may know, I'm doing my master's research on American ginseng. While walking to one of my local plots today, I spotted something out of the corner of my eye. I've developed a bit of "orchid vision;" whenever I'm outside and see something vertical and with a haze of color around the top I do a double take. This time, I was surprised to see that it was a single Platanthera lacera in absolutely perfect bloom. A quick survey of the forest edge and overgrown field revealed a total of 6 blooming plants. Seeing as I photographed this species on July 20 last year, I was a bit surprised to see it blooming now.

People have always told me that the Nikon D200 is terrible at high ISO but a dream at low ISO, and now I believe it. These were all shot at ISO 100, mostly at f/11.



My favorite shot:

Good photos!

Any camera at ISO 100 will give better detail than ISO 400, especially with the use of a tripod.

SlipperFan said:

Good photos!

Any camera at ISO 100 will give better detail than ISO 400, especially with the use of a tripod.

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Right. I'm just amazed at how good photos are at ISO 100 and how bad they are at about ISO 640 and higher on the D200.

Nice shots! The ISO problem is interesting since it is basically the same issue we used to have with film, but now it is sensor dependent. Some sensors these days are pretty darn good at those higher ISOs, but some really stink.

I love the subtle beauty of this species, but alas I haven't seen one in person since I was in high school! Maybe again one day...Hey, I didn't know you were studying ginseng biology! What is the thrust of your research?

BTW, did you hear that Kodak has finally stopped making Kodachrome 25? Here's a link. Hands down, that was my favorite film even though it was so slow.

SlipperFan said:

Good photos!

Any camera at ISO 100 will give better detail than ISO 400, especially with the use of a tripod.

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thanks Dot for remembering ! I am no more used to modify this parameter!!!


Great pics of a very interesting platanthera!!!! Jean

Cool flowers on this wild one...

Good eye, thanx for sharing. Is it warmer than usual for this time of year where you are?

kentuckiense said:

People have always told me that the Nikon D200 is terrible at high ISO but a dream at low ISO, and now I believe it. These were all shot at ISO 100, mostly at f/11.

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What is all this!?

NYEric said:

Good eye, thanx for sharing. Is it warmer than usual for this time of year where you are?


What is all this!?

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Well, I photographed them a bit farther north last year. That other stuff is just camera setting info for fellow orchid photographers.

kentuckiense said:

..for fellow orchid photographers.

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What am I; chopped liver?!?!? :fight:

KyushuCalanthe said:

BTW, did you hear that Kodak has finally stopped making Kodachrome 25? Here's a link. Hands down, that was my favorite film even though it was so slow.

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Yes, I heard that news. Best film ever. I don't know how well some of the newest films will stand the test of time, but Kodachrome's colors stay quite true. It's passing is truly the end of an era. And I haven't used film in at least 5 years.

Fantastic! I would love to actually see these in the wild! Thanks for the shots and the photo info!

nice pictures! always nice to find orchids in places where someone hasn't given you directions to find them... the lacera around Ithaca, NY usually don't pop until around July 13th, and at that they emerge from the ground very quickly before they flower

NYEric said:

What am I; chopped liver?!?!? :fight:

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:rollhappy::rollhappy::rollhappy::rollhappy:

NYEric said:

What am I; chopped liver?!?!? :fight:

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well, actually, if you understood what he had said, then you wouldn't have had a chance to be offended oke: could say that you hoisted your own petard! (so by speaking up you minced your own variety meats.......)