Large Flowered Hemp Nettle

A return visit to Potteric Carr Nature Reserve last night, this time with Penistone Camera Club.  Nick picked me up so Ann could have the car to get to the Parish Council meeting and it was lovely to have company on the drive.  We had quite a good turn-out to say it's quite a distance from Penistone, but the insects had mainly gone to bed, well apart from one tantalising dragon-fly which insisted on zooming back and forwards around us, but never settled.

We got as far as the first hide overlooking the main ponds area and watched quite a few birds settling in for the night including an Avocet, several Little Egrets a few Great Crested Grebes with a chick each and then finally the Marsh Harriers put on a display.  I didn't take any photos (too far away for my lens) and we sat and enjoyed the peace and tranquility.

Meanwhile back at the visitors centre the people taking flowers had a much more productive evening and in the end I spotted this plant, which looked like an unusual nettle from a distance.  I've only just been able to identify it this morning.

Many thanks to Mark who organised our visit and laid on refreshments for when we got back to his building.