Orchid in a flush of garlic - Sandra Bartocha - Wildlife Photographer of the Year2010

2010: In Praise of Plants and Fungi - Highly Commended

Sandra Bartocha Enlarge image Orchid in a flush of garlic

Sandra Bartocha (Germany)

Orchid in a flush of garlic

The scent of wild garlic wafted on the sea air as Sandra wandered through a meadow near the coastal town of Vieste, Italy. The field was a riot of colour, thick with Naples garlic and hundreds of pyramidal orchids. Invisible cicadas buzzed loudly, accompanied by the calls of bee-eaters. What Sandra wanted to conjure up was the brightness and freshness of the spring morning. Discovering a tall Apulian bee orchid, she photographed the flower against the sea, 'keeping the orchid in shadow but making use of the fantastic morning light bouncing off the glossy surfaces of the garlic and water' to create the sparkling setting.

Nikon D200 + 105mm f2.8 lens; 1/5000 sec at f3.3; ISO 100; reflector.

This photograph is available to buy as a print.