I have chosen a pair of different orchids and a kind of zoom in and zoom out on each pair.
The first is as its name suggests is more commonly seen. The Dactylorhiza Fuchsii or Common Spotted Orchid. Seen here from a distance on one of the cliff edges.
Then a close up of the same type in a more accessible spot. Not the same one as I am not into climbing up the sides of the quarry!
Then for the second pair the more unusual and rather elusive Ophrys apiferia or Bee Orchid.
Then zoomed in there is no need of an explanation why it has such a name.
Nature is an extraordinary thing. I have just read on The Wildlife Trust website that the Bee orchid evolved to look like a bee so that the bee attempted to mate with it and at the same time pollinate it. A frustrating set up for the bee! In Great Britain this type of bee is not present so the flower is self pollinating.
That's interesting. And very pretty to look at too
ReplyDeleteThe bee orchid is amazing - that's a fantastic photo.
ReplyDeletebeautiful colours and detail on each and glad so lives were endangered on cliff faces in the making of these pairs!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, especially the last one, I definitely saw the "bee" in this orchid. How lucky are you to have these flowers growing with such abandonment in your back yard/quarry.
ReplyDeleteI never would have known the first one was an orchid! Beautiful!
ReplyDeletewow- beautiful flowers. The second zoom-in photo is fabulous!!! Lucky you to be able to find these in the wild.
ReplyDeleteThanks also for the interesting facts about these flowers!
Oooh a bee orchid and it is lovely :)
ReplyDeleteAgree with all the above! Fancy going to all that effort, though, and then having to self-pollinate!
ReplyDeleteOh, so beautiful!
ReplyDelete