Brunch with Battutah
Takeoff from valerian
Posted by Michael Skorulski (Cigel, Slovakia) on 13 July 2008 in Plant & Nature and Portfolio.
Valerian grows wild all over Slovakia and attracts a multitude of insects with its captivating perfume. The roots of the plant have traditionally been used as a sedative.
amy from Nanaimo, BC, Canada
Really brilliant, Michael!! The colour and dof is perfect.
13 Jul 2008 5:11am
@amy: Thank you so much, Amy.
Stephen Phillips from San Francisco, United States
It looks like Valerian attracts a good photographer as well. Very good capture, Michael - well done.
13 Jul 2008 5:38am
@Stephen Phillips: That's a delightful comment. Thank you, Steven. The scent from a patch of valerian is strong enough to be almost overpowering.
saeed from ahwaz, Iran
This shot is Perfect dear Michael! diagonal composition and DOF is lovely and great! excellent indeed!
well done
13 Jul 2008 5:42am
@saeed: You are very kind. Thank you, Saeed.
@Rags: Thanks very much, Rags.
Kylie Greenan from Richmond, Australia
That's going to be one chilled out insect... love the contrast of how it looks so threatening amongst the delicate soft valerian, lovely colours, great shot.
13 Jul 2008 7:08am
@Kylie Greenan: Thanks for the great comment, Kylie. There were bees, wasps and butterflies around the plant. But this one looked among the most threatening as you mention.
António Pires from Lisbon, Portugal
Good photo. I didn't know the plant from which the sedative was extracted. We learn a lot of things here besides photography. Thanks.
13 Jul 2008 8:53am
@António Pires: Thanks very much, António.
Ekaputra Tupamahu from Malang, Indonesia
the DOF is great. the picture is extremely sharp. Well done!
13 Jul 2008 9:12am
@Ekaputra Tupamahu: Thank you very much, Ekaputra.
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
How neat, I've heard so much about Valerian, but never actually seen it, it's beautiful...now I understand insects' drowsy buzz ;) Great macro!!!
13 Jul 2008 9:46am
@Lorraine: Yes, the aroma must be a sedative too. Thanks for the great comment, Lorraine.
@Ana Lúcia: Thank you, Ana Lúcia.
Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom
Excellent diagonal line Michael, and the wings of the bee are also in the same diagonal plane. It's really quite beautiful.
13 Jul 2008 11:06am
@Observing: Thanks, Mike. The bee has a threatening beauty I would say.
Judy from Brooksville-Florida,, United States
I don't know of Valerian, but it is lovely and with its "captivating perfume" it must attract humans as well.
Good capture, Michael!
13 Jul 2008 11:36am
@Judy: Yes, you smell it before you see it. thank you, Judy.
Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan
Very instructive for me, as I know the valerian as a sedative, but I never had the chance to put the name on the flowers!
13 Jul 2008 11:49am
@Japanalia: It was a first for me too until Marta pointed these out and told me how people soak the root in alcohol and take the mixture in small quantities as a sedative. Many thanks, Gabriela.
Betty from New Jersey, United States
I never heard of Valerian before, either... this is a wonderful macro, Michael!
13 Jul 2008 11:54am
@Betty: Thanks so much, Betty.
Craig from Vacaville, California, United States
Beautiful shot Michael! Great title!
13 Jul 2008 1:41pm
@Craig: Many thanks, Craig.
dj.tigersprout from San Bruno, United States
what a wonderfully grotesque horse fly! :) beauties and the beast! love the flowers and diagonal composition. marvelous!
13 Jul 2008 5:12pm
@dj.tigersprout: Thanks, Jaycee. I didn't know it was a horse fly.
Tracey from White Hall, United States
I really am drawn in by the many diagonals here. The contrast between the insect and the flowers is captivating too. The DOF centers my attention perfectly on the subject. Brilliant work.
13 Jul 2008 5:21pm
@Tracey: Thanks so much, Tracey.
standley from brou-sur-chantereine, France
Fantastic capture Michael. I really like the diagonal lines here!
13 Jul 2008 5:56pm
@standley: Many thanks, Richard.
Ron from Saint Louis, United States
Wonderful detail, Michael ... as always, you've composed your shot with a deft eye.
13 Jul 2008 7:25pm
@Ron: Thank you very much, Ron.
@Eleftheria!: Thanks so much. Glad you liked the photo.
Marco from Verbania, Italy
fantastic shot!! nice contrast: black insect and white of flowers...well done
13 Jul 2008 8:46pm
@Marco: Thank you, Marco.
akarui from Kagoshima, Japan
Very good sharpness and beautiful DOF. I like the diagonale of the flowers and the wings beeing paralleles.
13 Jul 2008 11:49pm
@akarui: Thank you very much, Akarui.
Johnnyanne from Layton, UT, United States
The bug looks so menacing on those flowers. Cool photo.
13 Jul 2008 11:51pm
@Johnnyanne: Thank you very much.
Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States
Very nice; the fly looks something like a helicopter or hoverjet ready for takeoff.
14 Jul 2008 1:23am
@Viewfinder: I agree. thank you, VF.
MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany
A great close-up! Not easy with these shy flies.
14 Jul 2008 11:46am
@MadScientist: How true. It is actually quite difficult to catch them sitting long enough to snap a shot, especially while their friends are taking nibbles out of your legs. Thank you, MS.
@Twelvebit: Know exactly what you mean. thanks, 12bit.
@Michael Rawluk: Thanks for the great comment, Michael.
Anne from White Rock, Canada
He does indeed look very threatening! Wonder if the Valeria tranquilizes him! The colour and composition is absolutely lovely! :-)
15 Jul 2008 4:13pm
@Anne: I think he is enchanted by the perfume of the flower. thank you, Anne.
Benoit Darrieux from Clermont Ferrand, France
So good picture, nice colors, nice composition, nice diagonal ! Well done Michael.
19 Jul 2008 1:35pm
@Benoit Darrieux: thank you for your visit, Benoit.
Pentax Optio A30
1/160 second
F/2.8
ISO 100
38 mm (35mm equiv.)