Pyramidal Orchids

I've not been out anywhere exciting today, but on thursday I was amazed by the number of pyramidal orchids to be seen at Durlston. Literally, they were everywhere; to the extent that I didn't realise they were even orchids, they were so common (I always associate orchids with being super-rare and difficult to see, rather than fat purple plants everywhere).

Photo from Plantlife

Anacamptis pyramidalis is, apparently, the county flower of the Isle of Wight. There are so many up at Durlston because the park's on chalk soil, their preference, so they're scattered through pretty much all of the meadows and fields- even the tiny patches of grass in the car park! Chalk soil supports some quite rare and exciting ecology, the best of which I think is probably the glow worms, which can be seen in July and August along the chalky Lighthouse Road running through the park.

Anyway, these nice orchids are starting to come to the end of their flowering season now, but there are still quite a few looking beautiful as a bright splash of colour against the meadows.