Military operation

One species of orchid I have really wanted to see is the Military Orchid. After a couple of years of deliberating the drive to one of the sites I finally made the effort and visited the open site in Buckinghamshire. Photography was quite difficult as they grew among long grass and it was difficult to get pleasing backgrounds. Not the greatest of photographs but well worth the visit to see these incredibly rare plants.

Whilst I was in the mood for driving I made detour into Hampshire to photograph Sword-leaved Helleborine. It took awhile to find a plant I wanted to photograph, despite there being lots choose from, none were quite in the right place to get the nice low down shot that I like to take. But I did manage to find one.

And a bonus find were a number of Bird's-nest Orchids, though most of the spikes were up none of the flowers were yet open. I was tipped off by another visitor in the direction of this one which was just starting to come into flower.

Three new species of orchid photographed and I was happy. I also managed two more bird species for the year , Red Kite and Yellowhammer taking the yearly total to 138.