Bee Orchid

I've never seen one before so was really chuffed stumbling upon it by chance.  Quite diminutive and not too easy to spot amongst the grasses on the limestone, flower laden slope, I found a few scattered in a small area yesterday and decided to come back today as they were still going to be around, unlike the butterfly which posed so nicely for me.  

A little bit of bee mimicry makes sure this orchid is pollinated though reading what the Wildlife Trust says about it we apparently haven't the right sort of bees here in the UK so the Bee  Orchids are self-pollinating. I love the furry velvety lip of the flowers along with the beautiful colouration and yes, it really did look like a bee resting on a pink flower! 

What a find - a jewel in the crown of the field - almost a Sound of Music moment but you'll be pleased to hear it wasn't!  ;)