Green and Purple Octopus or Cockleshell Orchids [Encyclia cochleata]

This is one of the images that has been in a lot of my shows. It is a particular favorite of mine which is funny, because I almost passed on it when we were selecting images for my first flower show. My best friend (now my wife) insisted I should include this one. Once I made a print and saw it more "life size" I changed my mind. People stop and stare at it thinking it is an underwater scene. (Which is fitting since one of the common names for them is "Octopus Orchid".) They are usually quite pleasantly surprised when they realize what the subject actually is.