Perpetual rain this week (at least in Central Florida) has me thinking about how the rainy season isn’t around the corner anymore … it’s here. While South Florida experiences it more dramatically, we’re getting more than our fair share at the moment. Summer rains mean our wild orchids are coming into bloom, which makes me think of swamp tromps in Big Cypress and a hike to see the elusive ghost orchid. It’s that time!
I happened across this video on YouTube and just had to share. Mike Owens, botanist at Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, has given me (and many others) extensive details about how the ghost orchid is pollinated by the giant sphinx moth (and no, it’s not from Egypt). Its long proboscis is perfect for getting into the sweet nectar of the orchid. Well, these folks obtained permission to put up a stationary camera, and they caught the pollination on film … the first time anyone’s every seen it! Enjoy.
Great video clip … and suspenseful!
That’s incredible! I love that there are people who do this and record it for those of us too squeamish to ever be in the swamp at night. Really beautiful.