It is a very nice picture. Great color. The plant is an Acanthus or more frequently called "bear's breeches". I have two of them growing in my backyard.

The two plants I have are in full sunlight. The color is way less striking than yours with less sun.

This beauty bloomed yesterday afternoon and I shot her at about 9:00 PM in a halogen light coming from garage. Canon 5D, all manual, using a 75/300 at about 250 connected to a 2X Tele-converter, from tripod. Didn't like the shadow on the first pic, and not totally happy with the focus on the 2nd pic. What do you think? :shock:

Interesting that the first suggestion I receive is the very lense I am considering. Any other thoughts by other members??

I am shooting with a Canon EOS 5D and have really been satisfied with my pics. Not perfect but not bad. I use a Canon 28-105 for most of my shooting and have a Canon 50mm 1.8 and a Canon 75-300. I am wanting to purchase a very wide angle lense and am trying to make up my mind. I will probably not purchase a Canon, and am trying to determine the best for the dollar lense to buy. Any input would be helpful. :?

Have been following the forums and viewing the pics for a month or so. Very excited about the info I have already seen. I am a digital shooter and take pics of just about anything. Hope to learn lots and will post some of my stuff when I figure out hot to do it.:wink: