Having spent over 2 weeks trekking with Eric through one of the wettest,
orchid rich areas in the world, I was amazed by his botanical knowledge, not
only of orchid genera but a plethora of other plants, flowering or
otherwise. He was hardly ever stumped in IDing the genus - species was far
more difficult. One soon realises that orchids in the jungle/bush don't
come with labels so you just photograph from everywhich angle (that you can
get at) and hope that someone has taken a similar photo and published it or
one of the experts Eric has named can help.

Here is one that Eric didn't see as he decided to take a day off and start
sorting the many thousands of photos he had taken. This one was described
in the Orchids of Borneo series but being saprophytic it didn't rate a photo
so making IDing much more difficult. It is also a saprophytic species which
Peter O'Byrne helped ID. This one was found growing in really dense shade
in a valley below a limestone ridge where Paph sanderianum was growing
profusely but none in flower (drats).

Eric keep posting. I am enjoying reliving the experience.

John


"Eric Hunt" wrote in message
...
Diana,

Oh, those people do exist. Eric Christenson is one, Ron Parsons is
another. Peter O'Byrne and Jim Cootes are probably like that - but I've
only communicated with them by email, not in person. It's really
remarkable - I was never able to even remotely stump Eric Christenson in
Peru - no matter what orchid I asked about.

-Eric in SF
www.orchidphotos.org

Diana Kulaga wrote:
Thanks for the response, Eric. I get it. When you are taking the photos,
many are noids for you until you research them. Makes perfect sense. And,
it
does make me feel a tad better! I'd hate to think there exist walking,
photo
taking encyclopaedias!