Painting by flowers


After a week away, it was back to the orchid fields of Park Downs this morning. From a distance it looked as if the vegetation had been delicately washed with a giant paintbrush, the colour being so subtle - yet at the same time strikingly beautiful. The photo cannot do it justice.


Up close, the flowers that were responsible for the colouring could be discerned. The pinks and purples came courtesy of Marjoram (with a little dab of Knapweed), the yellows were largely Common Ragwort (plus subtle hints from Wild Parsnip) and the splashes of white being Wild Carrot.

On the slopes a combination of the sun and the increasing warmth ensured that a number of Chalkhill Blues were on the wing, together with a few Marbled Whites. Prize butterfly though was awarded to a helice form of Clouded Yellow, which flew around me for several minutes, alighting briefly before heading up high, crossing the road and onto the Holly Lane Meadow.

I had some success with a couple of rare plants nearby, but you will have to wait until later in the week to find out about them. Delayed gratification is good for the soul!

Comments

Derek Faulkner said…
Jeesh Steve, those meadows get better an better, that looks fantastic - who needs birds.
2 August 2015 at 17:50
Steve Gale said…
Derek, they are the fields that keep on giving!
2 August 2015 at 20:10
John said…
Hi Steve
Half that field is going to be forage-harvested in the next week or so!!!! Cries of anguish!
2 August 2015 at 20:14
Steve Gale said…
Hi John, as long as we can enjoy the orchids again next year...

By the way, have you seen the Violet Helleborines (4 widely spaced plants) along the western most outer footpath at Banstead Woods (that leads to Perrott's Farmhouse and the caravan park)?
2 August 2015 at 20:28
Unknown said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
2 August 2015 at 22:04
John said…
Keeping the orchids is going to be a struggle!! There are quite a few Helleborines up there, many are "hidden" in the Brambles. It seems to be a good year for them too.
2 August 2015 at 22:05
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