2020 Gallery
An absolute stunning hyperchromic specimen Orchis masula (Early Purple Orchid)
Photo: Hutton Roof - 27th April 2020
Photo: Hutton Roof - 27th April 2020
Photo: Hutton Roof - 27th April 2020
Holme Stinted Pastures
Saturday 2nd May 2020
It came as a surprise to note that perhaps some 80% of the Orchis masula (Early Purple Orchids) had obviously faced problems with the likely cause thought to be dehydration through the lack of rainfall. Most of the specimens I noted were very dry and stunted to a growth size of only 2" or so, some already having died premature and some still cased in their shrouding leaves. Only about 15-20% reached reasonable sizes in comparison to past years. I did manage to find a few for photographs shown below. Normally you would expect to see a few hundred specimens on the Stints with some good light varieties.
2020 - Early Rosettes taken on 14th Feb 2020
These photos show the early rosettes of that same orchid of how they are progressing. I found some of the rosettes at only 1 1/2", yet I found another at 4" wide and all sizes between. Here are the photos...
This one is well behind, or I should say this unmarked pair and they are
something special our: "Albino's
In most years sadly they get predated by Brown Hare
Just like last year and the year before. I will try and cage if now
hoping it comes through OK this year.
Just so you can see what it comes out like here below is a photo from past years
Photo: thanks to Robert
(photo taken 2018)
Here is a photo below showing the habitat which most of these are found on within Lancelot Clarke Storth (Cumbria Wildlife Trust)
below: 2019
EPO at Warton Crags
12th May 2019
Photo: Warton Crag 12th May 2019
This is one of the beauties I found last year and its still coming through light phase.
Photo: Warton Crag 12th May 2019
This is one of the beauties I found last year and its still coming through light phase.
**
EPO at Holme Stinted Pastures
29th April 2019
Photo: Holme Stinted Pastures on 29th April 2019
Photo: Holme Stinted Pastures on 29th April 2019
Photo: Holme Stinted Pastures on 29th April 2019
Photo: Holme Stinted Pastures on 29th April 2019
Photo: Holme Stinted Pastures on 29th April 2019
Photo: Holme Stinted Pastures on 29th April 2019
Wednesday 24th April 2019 - Newbigging Crags, Farleton, Hutton Roof.
Sunday 14th April 2019 - The Rakes, Hutton Roof
Also today whilst on the Rakes, I found two Orchis mascula (Early Purple Orchids) in flower and several more on the way. In fact I am told that they have been out in full flower for over one week (approx 7th April), which for the North is a great early start!
Photo: The Rakes Hutton Roof - 14th April 2019 (No.1)
Photo: The Rakes Hutton Roof - 14th April 2019 (No.2)
March 3rd 2019 (below)
Orchis mascula (Early Purple Orchid) - Click over to enlarge
Photo: 4th March 2019 - Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT)
These were all taken today 4th March 2019 within a area of 10ft diameter and show several Early Purple Orchid rosettes at their current stage. The spotted leaf one showing the 50p is about 4" in diameter and most of the others are between 3" and 4"
Early Purple Orchid rosettes found on January 2nd (right column) and also on
Photo: 4th March 2019 - Lancelot Clark Storth (CWT)
These were all taken today 4th March 2019 within a area of 10ft diameter and show several Early Purple Orchid rosettes at their current stage. The spotted leaf one showing the 50p is about 4" in diameter and most of the others are between 3" and 4"
January 2nd and 3rd 2019 (below)
Early Purple Orchid rosettes found on January 2nd (right column) and also on
January 3rd (left column) - found on Hutton Roof - Lancelot and Burton (Cumbria Wildlife)
Rosette size: approx 1" in all cases - Click over to enlarge
2018 (below)
Some of our lighter EPO specimens (Click over to enlarge)
Top L to R: Albino (Hutton Roof), Light specimen (Hutton Roof), Light Specimen (Hutton Roof), Light Specimen (Hutton Roof). Bottom L to R: 50/50 mix (Hutton Roof), Light Specimen (Warton Crag), Albino (The Lots, Silverdale), Light Specimen (Hutton Roof)
Photos between 2015 and 2018.
Wednesday 9th May 2018 - Hutton Roof
 |
| A very special Early Purple Orchid - Light phase with a bonus of dewdrops (Click over to enlarge) |
Early Purple Orchid
10th May 2018 - Burton Fell and Lancelot Clark Storth (Cumbria Wildlife) |
| Another beautiful Early Purple Orchid variant: "Magenta with white" found today 10th May 2018 |
 |
| Our regular year in year out EPO variant: "Albino" pair have come through again OK, sadly the day after taking this photograph the beauties were taken down by Brown Hares. 
A straight forward EPO with unmarked leaves
|
 |
| EPO - variant White with Pink Flush (Click over to enlarge) |
Burton Fell - Hutton Roof - 16th May 2018 (Below) (8 beautiful specimens)
Dalton South East - Thursday 17th May 2018 (6 beautiful specimens) (below)
      |