Ultraviolet Video

Live ultraviolet video of specific flowering plants in the garden are projected separately in the gallery using an adapted video camera which has been modified and fitted with a UV filter.

The camera is located in the garden, just outside the gallery.

All photos by Dave Kemp except where noted

This camera reveals petal markings visible only in ultraviolet light which are known to function as pollen guides for bees and other pollinating insects (markings invisible to the human eye, but visible to bees and other insects). A patch of rudbekia hirta (black-eyed susans) as seen in UV alternate with the flowers as seen in visible light in a silver bowl.

Illustration by Celeste Green and Phyllis Thompson from Bumblebee Economics (by Bernd Heinrich; used with permission). View large

Below left: Colour image, Right: UV Camera Image

Rob Cruickshank: ultraviolet video; technical assistance and consultation.

First, third and fourth photo by Dave Kemp.  Other photos by Rob Cruickshank

Anne Barros: silver bowl.

Make Magazine article

UV stuff, including camera photo on flickr.