Wednesday 16th July 2014

  Another trip to Lower Woods today after work.

Siver-washed Fritillary (Male)

  Silver-washed Fritillary and Small Skipper, best i could manage on camera today, plus a Six-spot Burnet moth.

Small Skipper (Female)

Six-spot Burnet

 Just before i got back to the car, i noticed a strange flower under the trees, it stood out a mile, as it was almost pure white in the gloom.

   I got a couple of photos, just so i could ID it later, it looked like an Orchid, but i wasn't sure!
As i got to the car, the warden was there and we started talking. I mention the flower, and he told me it was a Broad-leaved Helleborine, but this was of the very rare variant monotropoides.

Broad-leaved Helleborine (var. monotropoides)

   Wow, my first Broad-leaved Helleborine, and its of a very rare variant, what are the chances of that?? Didn't really have time to go back and get more shots, so this one will do for now. The flowers were not fully out anyway, maybe a return next week???

   Watch this space (well Blog)...........