Some of Cumbria's rarest Orchids

Something so so special!

Yesterday I was cordially invited by a good friend to visit three of Cumbria's most prolific Orchid Sites and treated to a host of flowering gems!  but being honest would struggle to remember half of their names. What I mean by that is there were hybrids and variants everywhere you looked.  A grand mixture of Fragrant Orchids of all varieties and many that crossed over into the hybrid spectrum, obviously some of these were mega rarities. Also lots of beautiful Marsh Orchids including the rare Pugley's, and it gets better with a rare Pugley's crossed hybrid. Also the lovely Early Marsh Orchid, and lots more hybrids and variations.  In fact there was that many my mind boggles with rare Orchids! Most of them still only have the long latin names!  I was left there asking "the man that knows" what's the Common Names or where had this one originated etc etc. All these rarities overshadowed other orchids of which there were plenty such as: Common Spotted, Marsh Helliborine, Fly Orchids (gone over) and the fabulous little Frog Orchids.

Although it was definitely a orchid day, we were treated to a host of other spectacular flora as well which included a never seen and so rare "White" Marsh Lousewort set within close proximity to hundreds of the normal purple flowered.  We had the most beautiful little Round Leaved Sundews, the Birds Eye Primrose flowers which seemed to be everywhere, and the very special Mountain Everlasting. Also we had what seemed like multitudes of Northern Bedstraw, Heath Bedstraw and Hedge Bedstraws, and Lady's Bedstraw. Also Marsh Cinquefoil (just going over) Bogbean (remnants) and the stunning Bog Asphodel. There must have been a huge flora list on the day.

Along with all this we had Ringlets and Meadow Browns, Common Blues as well as a Large Skipper. Although I was surprised we had no Gatekeepers or Fritilleries to record, but there again it was dull during the earlier part of the day and the sun picked up during the afternoon. After saying that we did witness what must have been a large hatch of  "six spotted Burnets" and also lots of Chimney Sweeper Moths which some where enjoying the Pignut.  Also what about the chappie shown below, he just was a large caterpiller.


It was a absolutely brilliant day, with a superb host and some fabulous Orchid lover friends, some old friends and some new friends. Thanks so much for the kind invite Alan.  It was a day to be treasured and will hold very special memories for me.

"So beautiful" 

"Tall and slender"

"A Beauty gathering "the In Crowd"

"Stunning"

"So beautiful like hovering white angels"

This has to be one of my favourites for the "pink flush" brilliance!

"And not forgetting the little Frog Orchid"

A grand array of "fragrants"

Its not all been down to Orchids we have also been treated to a grand array of other spectacular flora of which here are some of the photos.

This one really has to be a oddball rarity "A White Marsh Lousewort" specimen, you can just see the regular one peeping through on the top right hand of the photo

A lovely looking plaintain (I think!)

Marsh Cinquefoil

Round Leaved Sundew - a definate favourite

He just is a large chappie of some 4" in length

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VIEW ALL MY PHOTOS TAKEN ON VISIT PLEASE GO TO MY PHOTO HOSTING SITE BY CLICKING OVER THIS LINK  where you will see even more of the variety on offer today.