Violet Helleborine - near Sturminster Newton, north Dorset. A contender for my favourite orchid - the clean pastel shades of the flower contrasting with the purple stem and dark leaves is just gorgeous. The flowers seem to glow in the darkness of the undergrowth.
This was the third spike I found and the most out in the open one.
A very dense-flowered spike!
Saw-wort.
A white form of Betony.
Common Cow-wheat.
Common Hemp-nettle.
The views from nearby Fontmell Down were fantastic. I think the last time was there was September 2005. I was hoping for butterflies but it was a bit too cold and cloudy.
Red-tailed Bumble Bee...I think.
Hoary Plantain.
Shaded Broad-bar.
Chalk Carpet.
Brown Argus. A second individual below.
Standard pink Betony.
Bramble.
Great Violet Helleborines. Just catching up with some of your posts.
ReplyDeleteAgree with Red-tailed Bumblebee- a male.
Weather here seems like November-almost permanent cloud & not a lot of warmth!
Thanks Neil - yep, hating the weather at the moment - dreadful for migrants down here too. A change very much needed...
ReplyDeleteHope everything's ok with you. All the best. Matt