Ron Hanko's photostream  

This is an unopened bud of an orchid I have not grown or flowered before. Angraecum breve is from Madagascar, and in that way also is a bit unusual for me, since the majority of orchids I grow are from the new world.

I am totally charmed by this plant, however, both for its size, for its white flowers and for the spur which gradually uncurls as the flower opens. It will be completely open in a few days and I'll post another picture then.

Most Angraecums are large plants and some are huge. This plant is a little fan 4 cm (1.5 in.) across, the flower is 3 cm (1 in. plus) in size and the spur is over 10 cm long (approx. 4.5 in.) when the flower opens and it is fully uncurled.

It was an Angraecum, a different species and a much larger plant, with flowers carrying a 12 inch spur, that Darwin used to predict the existence of a moth with a 12 inch tongue. This flower is probably also moth pollinated.

I do not know yet if the flower is fragrant, but suspect it will be, since many white flowers and especially flowers like this are pollinated by night-flying insects who are attracted by the fragrance and who use the nectar for food.

The photo was taken in a tropical fish store in Edmonton and Fizgig has identified it as a juvenile Koran Angelfish (Pomacanthus semicirculatus). I had no idea what it was and, in fact, I do not even know if the fish is a lady. The quote is from Andrew Marvell.

Taken on a walk with my wife in the City Park near us on a frosty morning. The botanical name for this shrub is Symphoricarpos albus, and it is native to our area and to much of the northern United States and Canada. The berries persist long after the leaves are fallen and stand out on dull gray day.

In Explore January 24, 2012, #387.

Taken on a recent visit to Bellingham. We spent some time while some of our children were here in Maritime Heritage Park and elsewhere in Bellingham taking photos. The heron in this picture is not out of focus but some of his feathers are being ruffled by the wind.

We have just left behind the worst week of weather experienced here in a long time. Ice, snow, high winds and cold were the with us all week. The children had no school and most other activities were cancelled. This picture is a reminder of better times and better weather. It was taken in Turkey Run State Park in Indiana where we spent a part of our vacation last summer.