Orchid fever

Northern marsh orchid, Heathwaite, Arnside Knott

The early flowering orchids are over now, but every day brings more species and more individuals into flower. The orchids always seem to me to be a family apart from all other flowering plants, their flowers so elaborate, their life cycles so extraordinary, their sheer diversity of species worldwide. They can quicken the stoniest heart of those otherwise indifferent to plants. They attract obsessive personalities, as photographers, hunters and collectors. I still have an idea of trying to blip all the Cumbria orchid species in a single year... so maybe next year.

Each of these flowers, barely more than a centimetre across will produce many thousands of dust like seeds, to be dispersed on the wind. The seed has no food reserve and it depends on finding where it lands the right sort of fungus from which it will obtain all its nutrition in a parasitic way for the first few years of its life.

It was a lovely day, busy and varied. We spent the afternoon in the wonderful company of Eric and his daughter Lynn. Wifie baked a cake to mark the fact that Eric and I arrived in the world on the same day of the year, though some years apart. Tomorrow is the big day, but we will be scattered in different directions. I shall be in South Wales for a few days catching up with Gus's friend, Dr T. Blipping may be rare when I am away.

Thank you for the kind wishes left on my blip a few days ago, I am better for having a restful day on Wednesday, and the bang on the head is less sore now.