Rare Ghost Orchid found where I work

[Mike K.]

I just wanted to pass this along to all my friends at the Lounge.
This rare flower was recently found at the Audubon wildlife sanctuary where I work.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-07-11-ghost-orchid_N.htm

It's amazing what rare finds are still out there in this world.

 

[BegintheBeguine]

Cool. I saw that in the news yesterday but wasn't aware it was the place where you worked.

 

[Mike K.]

Yes, I'm one happy (and proud) Audubon warden!
Our office phones have been ringing off the hook. The news has reached Europe, China, Australia, all over!

 

[BeBopBaby]

Breathtaking, thank you for sharing this.

I'm glad it's located where it can be protected.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

what an odd-looking creature!

bk

 

[Feraud]

Yes, I'm one happy (and proud) Audubon warden!

As well you should be. Did you have a chance to see the flower in person?

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Did you photograph it? Wonderful thing!

 

[jake_fink]

Very cool. I passed this on to my brother who was very impressed.

 

[Paisley]

A few years ago, I read about a Cuban bat that apparently got blown to Florida in a hurricane. What with the embargo, did the bat ever get back to Cuba?

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

Isn't there...a movie....that focuses on the search for this flower? What is it? ::bangs head on desk::

Oh...Adaptation. It's right in the article.

 

[Mike K.]

Well, it's best viewed with binoculars or, better still, a spotting scope. The flowers are really far away and high in the forest canopy. I managed to get a few photographs, but even my lens is too short. The pics in the news articles were taken with an extremely big lens (like 500mm with a 2x converter).

Would you believe we've already received anonymous calls that somebody will be stealing it! Perhaps they don't know that we've already installed infrared motion sensors with cameras around the location. In addition to our own staff there will be sheriff deputies patrolling. Can you believe people would be so crazy?! Don't they realize that the orchids die once they're removed from their host tree?

An interesting and related read:
http://www.amazon.com/Orchid-Thief-Obsession-Ballantine-Readers/dp/044900371X

 

[KittyT]

ff there will be sheriff deputies patrolling. Can you believe people would be so crazy?! Don't they realize that the orchids die once they're removed from their host tree?

When my dad lived in Honduras, someone stole all of the orchids out of his yard.

 

[TaxMan1]

Wifey remarked about that to me, today, after reading it in the paper. She's a fan.

 

[Leading Edge]

The breadth of criminal stupidity never ceases to amaze.

The orchid is stunning. Thanks for posting