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Equisetum hyemale, commonly know as scouring rush or common horsetail is native to the western United States including Washington.Here it grows in a wet ditch along a roadside near Fall City, Washington. The stem is jointed and hollow. As a boy in Wyoming we called it joint grass because you could break it apart.
Old illustration of Burnet Saxifrage (Pimpinella major). By G. Bonelli on Hortus Romanus, publ. N. Martelli, Rome, 1772 – 93
A Blue Orchard Bee (Osmia spp.), that's found a home in a hollow cut stem of Himalayan Blackberry. I noticed it emerging. Lummi Island, WA, June 23, 2022.
Early Marsh Orchid / dactylorhiza incarnata. Swaddywell Pit, Cambridgeshire. 07/06/22.
A detailed look at an Early Marsh Orchid flower spike. I was blown away by the delicate beauty of the flowers. Viewed from the front they had a narrow, elongated appearance because the side of each labellum folded gently backwards.
BEST VIEWED LARGE.
Early Marsh Orchid / dactylorhiza incarnata. Swaddywell Pit, Cambridgeshire. 07/06/22.
Swaddywell Pit has a small but significant colony of Early Marsh Orchids growing in just one damper area of grassland. This year numbers exceeded expectations with at least c36 flower spikes.
My image gives close-up details of a few flowers on a spike. They are a delicate baby-pink colour and if viewed larger, you can make out the two slightly darker loop markings (infilled with tiny spots), on each labellum. Also diagnostic are the side edges of each labellum which are turned backwards. Finally, those long, protruding bracts just can't be missed can they!
BEST VIEWED LARGE.
Early Marsh Orchids / dactylorhiza incarnata. Swaddywell Pit, Cambridgeshire. 07/06/22.
'TOGETHERNESS.'
Swaddywell Pit has a small but significant colony of Early Marsh Orchids growing in just one damper area of grassland. This year numbers exceeded expectation with at least c36 flower spikes.
My visit was made specifically to see them and I timed it fairly accurately, as most were in prime condition. Another orchid 'first' for me and looking gorgeous in delicate baby-pink tones.
BEST VIEWED LARGE.
Northern Marsh Orchid / dactylorhiza purpurella. Bempton Cliffs, East Yorkshire. 22/06/19.
This is the only true Marsh Orchid (hopefully), that I managed to find in a brief search along the cliff edge footpath. The image shows the whole of the plant this time, growing amongst the grasses. Despite it's diminutive, stumpy form the deep magenta flowers made it quite conspicuous. A first sighting of the species for me, so it was a special find :-)
BEST VIEWED LARGE.
Northern Marsh Orchid / dactylorhiza purpurella. Bempton Cliffs, East Yorkshire. 22/06/19.
This is the only true Marsh Orchid (hopefully), that I managed to find in a brief search along the cliff edge footpath. Despite it's stumpy form, it was growing quite conspicuously amongst grasses. Although there were other orchids growing nearby, they resembled hybrid Northern Marsh x Common Spotted being taller, more robust looking plants with lobed lips.
The Northern Marsh Orchid readily hybridises with other orchid species and this habit produces fascinating though challenging results!
BEST VIEWED LARGE.
Black and white minimilism
Sexy Pole Dancer -
Legs clasping firmly on my twiggy prop, up and down with little friction I slide. Revolving clockwise and counter-clockwise, I follow the beating tempo of dragonfly wings. My deliberate tease makes them bashful, see the rash on their cheeks. White damselfly sweat in passionate heat, do you want to taste how salty it is? If so, please leave a generous tip.
A lone Dandelion gone to seed makes a perfect Macro shot.
Aspect ratio: 5:4
This royalty-free image is also available on Pixabay.
Made to Order, Heart Rim Crystal Champagne Flutes with Hollow Stem
Monogrammed Crystal Champagne Flutes with Hollow Stem
