Fly orchids

Another horrible cold and overcast day at the nature reserve - terrible for our spring butterflies, and looks like continuing for the rest of the week. In contrast, some of our special plants are making steady progress, thanks to a little rain over the last few days. Quite a few fly orchids now have one flower open. Here are two of them - a freshly opened vevety flower, taken straight on, and another older flower taken from the side to show the amazing structure, all geared to attracting, providing a landing area and nectar prize for the little solitary digger wasp that carries out pollination.