The Suicide Tree
Jan 7, 2014 08:28:29 #
Some time ago I posted flower photos and asked for help IDing them with no luck with some of them, today I was finally able to ID one, it's the flower of the suicide tree - Cerbera odollam. So called because the fruit yields a potent poison that is difficult to detect in autopsies and its taste can be masked with strong spices, it is often used in homicide and suicide in India.
If you see these and wonder what the fruit tastes like, DON'T TRY IT - it's described in a New Scientist article as the perfect murder weapon (http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn6701#.Usv5O9IW2So) ...
Cerbera odollam fruit and flowers
PENTAX K-5, ISO: 320, 1/200 sec, f4.5, 70mm, Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.5
Cerbera odollam flowers
PENTAX K-5, ISO: 320, 1/200 sec, f4.5, 70mm, Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.5
TFL
If you see these and wonder what the fruit tastes like, DON'T TRY IT - it's described in a New Scientist article as the perfect murder weapon (http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn6701#.Usv5O9IW2So) ...
Cerbera odollam fruit and flowers
PENTAX K-5, ISO: 320, 1/200 sec, f4.5, 70mm, Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.5
Cerbera odollam flowers
PENTAX K-5, ISO: 320, 1/200 sec, f4.5, 70mm, Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.5
TFL
Jan 7, 2014 08:40:44 #
Does this plant grow here in the US anywhere? I have a friend who gives me some odd fruits that look sorta like this from one strange tree he found growing by the riverbank. No one could identify it, but old-timers told us the fruit would get rid of any pests like mice or spiders...... just allow it to sit on a shelf or pop it into the holes they make to gain entrance.
He used them in his garage/workshed and never had mice invasions ever, even though it was in the country and prime real estate for mice. The inside of the fruit looks really odd with no discernible center or seeds and it's very sticky. This makes me glad I did not satisfy any curiosity about taste as it was rather unappealing in appearance or scent.
He used them in his garage/workshed and never had mice invasions ever, even though it was in the country and prime real estate for mice. The inside of the fruit looks really odd with no discernible center or seeds and it's very sticky. This makes me glad I did not satisfy any curiosity about taste as it was rather unappealing in appearance or scent.
Jan 7, 2014 08:48:33 #
Singing Swan wrote:
Don't know about the US Singing Swan, but it sounds like it (described as having a sticky sap), and if mice were nibbling on it it'd probably keep them away :)Does this plant grow here in the US anywhere? I ha... (show quote)
Jan 7, 2014 08:53:12 #
Jan 7, 2014 09:29:12 #
Jan 7, 2014 11:31:56 #
Thanks for sharing the interesting story and pretty photos. Number 1 is just beautiful with the bits of blue sky poking through all that fresh green. Very lovely!
Jan 7, 2014 11:46:00 #
Thank you for sharing, and they are beautiful shoots. Also THANK you so much for sharing your camera, lens and exposure values, this is something I wish everyone would do for us.
Jan 7, 2014 11:55:38 #
Moxiesmom wrote:
Thank you for sharing, and they are beautiful shoots. Also THANK you so much for sharing your camera, lens and exposure values, this is something I wish everyone would do for us.
Speaking of which, how does one have writing above AND below the photo? I like how you did that.
Jan 7, 2014 15:03:10 #
LLucas wrote:
Speaking of which, how does one have writing above AND below the photo? I like how you did that.
Ditto for me too!! I even started a post asking why we don't do this for all pictures.
Jan 7, 2014 19:33:36 #
LLucas wrote:
Thanks LLucas :) ... Yeah, they are pretty flowers aren't they? Pity they're so evil (some women are like that too {pretty but evil} :))Thanks for sharing the interesting story and pretty photos. Number 1 is just beautiful with the bits of blue sky poking through all that fresh green. Very lovely!
Moxiesmom wrote:
Thank you Moxiesmom :)Thank you for sharing, and they are beautiful shoots. Also THANK you so much for sharing your camera, lens and exposure values, this is something I wish everyone would do for us.
LLucas wrote:
Speaking of which, how does one have writing above AND below the photo? I like how you did that.
Moxiesmom wrote:
Ditto for me too!! I even started a post asking why we don't do this for all pictures.
Well I post my shots elsewhere and simply insert a link to the photo between lines of text.
As far as the info is concerned, i think i read that post and sometimes post the info but overall, it's not really that helpful to know the lens and EXIF data unless maybe you have the same camera that's been set up with the same base parameters - but even then you don't know exactly what I've done in processing a shot do you? (that can make a VAST difference to IQ, sharpness, saturation, colour, etc - i.e. all the things you look for in a lens) :)
Jan 8, 2014 10:35:24 #
"...overall, it's not really that helpful to know the lens and EXIF data unless maybe you have the same camera that's been set up with the same base parameters - but even then you don't know exactly what I've done in processing a shot do you? (that can make a VAST difference to IQ, sharpness, saturation, colour, etc - i.e. all the things you look for in a lens) :)"[/quote]
I think it's interesting to compare how different settings affect a particular shot, but you are right, pp can manipulate all that, not fairly representing the exposure settings, etc. I'd like to see more experimentation done with VARYING dof and exposure parameters, for instance, on the same scene. I learn well with comparisons.
I think it's interesting to compare how different settings affect a particular shot, but you are right, pp can manipulate all that, not fairly representing the exposure settings, etc. I'd like to see more experimentation done with VARYING dof and exposure parameters, for instance, on the same scene. I learn well with comparisons.
Jan 8, 2014 10:58:11 #
LLucas wrote:
Well that's up to you to do - all part of the learning experience :)"...overall, it's not really that helpful to ... (show quote)
I always auto-bracket my shots now, 5 exposures 2/3 a stop apart, then i pick what i think's the best to process - i'm certainly not going to PP and post all 5 of them :)
Jan 8, 2014 11:04:03 #
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