Greetings wild orchid hunters, I've just arrived

[yakatme]

Hi all! My membership was just activated today and I've already had the pleasure of corresponding via PM with Justin Parkkonen who is apparently also fairly new here.

I am a photographer who has recently discovered what all the 'hoopla' is about orchids. I never knew!!! Seriously, I never really appreciated orchids until I began photographing them and the more I did, the more I got hooked on them.

After having visited numerous orchid nurseries in the South Florida area I have been heading out to the Everglades about 3 to 4 times per week. I have found many air plants but only one orchid so far. While searching the web for information on the orchids in the Everglades and in the Fakahatchee Strand I happened upon this site and I have been poring over the forums ever since.

It looks like I have found a place where I might belong. A lot of what I have read about some of your adventures is right up my alley. I like getting outdoors and exploring any way that I can, but mostly I enjoy kayaking. As payment for photographic services by a paddleboard, surfboard, and kiteboard distributor I was recently given a standup paddleboard. I replaced the fin with another fin that I cut down to only 5 inches and I now use that to explore the wet areas of the Everglades.

Please take a look at my profile, specifically my albums. I have just uploaded a bunch of photos that better show what my photography and style of exploring are.

I look forward to learning from your experiences in the natural areas of Florida (and beyond) and possibly meeting some of you in the near future.

[Justin Parkkonen]

Welcome Yakatme! You already know how impressed I am by your talents and how much I look forward to seeing your future wild orchid photos. You should consider this a warning, however, that searching for wild orchids and striving for great photos can be a daunting and completely consuming task.

I have never used a paddle board, and it looks really cool, but one of these days you will likely end up taking the plunge (literately and figuratively) and just start treking through the swamps! They are really not bad. Places like Big Cypress and Fakahatchee are so dense that you have no other options.

Just so you are aware, there is a photography subforum on this board. If you are so inclined to post, I am sure your expertese would be greatly appreciated.

Look forward to hearing from you soon!

Best Regards,
Justin Parkkonen

[Justin Parkkonen]

Robert,

Have you had the opportunity to do any orchid hunting since we last spoke?

[yakatme]

Hi Justin,

No, I haven't been able to get out there in the last ten days or so. I might go out this weekend although I haven't settled on where just yet.

How was your trip?

[Justin Parkkonen]

Robert,

My trip was great, but it was a lot more work than anticipated! Much hotter than normal and those hardwood hammocks are dense.

I did, however, see many beautiful orchids and got a few good shots, so I definitely consider it a success.

I hope your future ventures are enjoyable!