Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm) flower

Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm) flower

Description

Title:
Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm) flower
Caption / Description:

Close-up ultraviolet photo of a Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) flower. The small white flowers measure around 5 mm across and contain relatively large amounts of nectar, making them popular with bees.

In ultraviolet the area around the mouth of the flower appears darker than it does in visible light. This may help guide bees (which can see ultraviolet light) to the flower's nectar source. In turn this helps the flowers get pollinated.

Tags / Keywords:
  • Biota
  • Life
  • Vitae
  • Eukaryota
  • Plantae
  • Plants
  • Magnoliophyta
  • Flowering Plants
  • Angiosperms
  • Magnoliopsida
  • Dicotyledons
  • Lamiales
  • Lamiaceae
  • Mints
  • Ultraviolet
  • UV Photography
  • False colour UV
  • Melissa
  • Melissa officinalis
  • Lemon Balm

Admin

Date Original Photo Taken:
Original File Name:
_DIR0267a.psd
Event:
Rating:
Date this image added/last updated on website:
Original File Dimensions:
4256px x 2848px
File Type:
JPEG
Color Mode:
Original Image Color Profile:
Adobe RGB (1998)

Location

Location Created:
Sublocation:
City:
Market Harborough
Province/State:
Leicestershire
Country:
United Kingdom
World Region:
Europe
Geo-location:

Rights

Copyright Status:
Copyrighted
Licensing Status:
Rights Managed
Available for Editorial Use:
Yes
Available for Commercial Use:
Yes
Copyright Notice:
© 2013 Dave Kennard

Camera Data

Date Digital Resource was created:
Shutter speed:
1160 s
Aperture:
f/8
Camera Model:
Fujifilm IS Pro
ISO:
640
Exposure Compensation:
0
Focal Length:
50mm
Focal Length (35mm equiv.):
75mm
Metering Mode:
Center-weighted average
Flash:
Off, Did not fire
Exposure Mode:
Manual
White Balance:
Auto
Light Source:
Unknown
Exposure Program:
Manual

Additional shooting metadata

Lens:
Nikon EL-Nikkor 50mm F2.8 N
Filters used:
  • Baader U
Additional Optics used:
  • Kenko DG Extension Tubes 20mm
  • 17mm-31mm M42 Focusing helicoid
  • M39 - 52 reversing ring
Setup:
Tripod, Geared head, Focusing rail
Plamp used to stop flower blowing about in wind
2x full spectrum modified Vivitar 283 flashes used for lighting, one either side of flower

Post Processing

Image Modified:
Software used:
  • Adobe Camera RAW
  • Adobe Photoshop CS5
Post Processing:

Colour modified in PS CS5