Paphiopedilum Lady's Slipper Orchid

Today I had the joy of visiting Tewksbury Orchids in Califon NJ and had the pleasure of treating myself to a new orchid - paphiopedilum delenalii x 'Half & Half' x vincolor.  It is very special.  I understand that this orchid was nearly extinct - from Vietnam - but one had been rediscovered in the 1990s and apparently thriving once again. 

I'm still practicing lighting the close-ups - and this is a real learning experience for me - can't say I'm unhappy with the results but I have a long way to go - but enjoying every minute of this study.

I have a pretty shallow depth of field here - using the aperture wide open.  But I wanted to show the details of the two buds - one opening now and the other soon.

This is a beauty of an orchid - and white and pink and the hairy stem is just spectacular.