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Sunday 22 May 2022

The Vercors in Spring - Orchids


Not so much a blog of the tour more a gallery of the week spent in the Vercors Natural Park based at La Chapelle en Vercors. I deliberately didn't take any field notes so rather than by location they are presented chronologically - hence the repeats. I will mention one location - Font d'Durle where the slopes were covered in a huge array of botany. So my trip was a series of rambles photographing whatever took my fancy.


Early Purple Orchid, Orchis mascula - very fresh at an altitude of about 1500m or 4.921 feet in old money.

Early Purple Orchid, Orchis mascula


There were literally thousands of Elderflower Orchids, Dactylorhiza sambucina in both colour forms, the yellows outnumbering the purples by a long chalk - as usual.

Elderflower Orchid, Dactylorhiza sambucina




Elderflower Orchid, Dactylorhiza sambucina




Elderflower Orchid, Dactylorhiza sambucina




Elderflower Orchid, Dactylorhiza sambucina



The obligatory shot of  both forms alongside each other.



Elderflower Orchid, Dactylorhiza sambucina



Plenty of Bird's Nest Orchids, Neottia nidus-avis though none in full bloom


Bird's Nest Orchid, Neottia nidus-avis 




Burnt Orchid, Neotinea ustulata



Sharp eyed Lindsay spotted these magnificent Lady Orchids, Orchis purpurea





Lady Orchids, Orchis purpurea




Lady Orchids, Orchis purpurea



This orchid was the focus of much discussion, just two stems found growing amongst Dactylorhiza majalis, the Broad-leaved Marsh Orchid. Subsequently it was found to be Early Marsh Orchid, Dactylorhiza incarnata. I have to say I have never seen one like this before, for what I would expect to see try here


Early Marsh Orchid, Dactylorhiza incarnata.





 Broad-leaved Marsh Orchid, Dactylorhiza majalis




 Broad-leaved Marsh Orchid, Dactylorhiza majalis





 Broad-leaved Marsh Orchid, Dactylorhiza majalis




Broad-leaved Marsh Orchid, Dactylorhiza majalis



I'm glad that I photographed this rather spindly specimen of Orchis pallens as others we found subsequently were toast in the ever increasing temperatures.


Orchis pallens



Roadside banks were populated by numerous Sword-leaved Helleborine, Cephalanthera longifolia. Some impressive spikes were seen.



Sword-leaved Helleborine, Cephalanthera longifolia


 A new one for me - Orchis tridentata 


Orchis tridentata 




Orchis tridentata





Monkey Orchid, Orchis simia




Monkey Orchid, Orchis simia




Military Orchid, Orchis militaris



Something familiar

Man Orchid, Orchid anthropophora




Man Orchid, Orchid anthropophora




Late Spider Orchid, Ophrys fuciflora




Late Spider Orchid, Ophrys fuciflora




Green- winged Orchid, Anacamptis morio





Fly Orchid, Ophrys insectifera




Fly Orchid, Ophrys insectifera





Ophrys drumana




Ophrys drumana




Ophrys drumana




Ophrys drumana




Ophrys drumana


The Violet Limodore or Violet Bird's-nest Orchid, Limodorum abortivum. One that I missed on Rhodes as the goats had devoured them. Nice to make its acquaintance here.


Violet Limodore, Limodorum abortivum




Violet Limodore, Limodorum abortivum




Violet Limodore, Limodorum abortivum




Violet Limodore, Limodorum abortivum





Probably Neotinea tridentata x Neotinea ustulata





Another showing characteristics of both species  to a lesser degree.
May be a back cross




Neotinea ustulata





Alpine Broad-leaved Marsh Orchid, Dactylorhiza alpestris




Alpine Broad-leaved Marsh Orchid, Dactylorhiza alpestris





A lonely little Dactylorhiza in a Globularia patch




Fly Orchid, Ophrys insectifera f. luteomarginata??




Fly Orchid, Ophrys insectifera 




Monkey Orchid, Orchis simia




Orchis mascula ssp speciosa (aka  O. ovalis)




Another marsh orchid?? Not sure of this one







Top of the bucket list

Lady's Slipper Orchid, Cypripedium calceolus




Lady's Slipper Orchid, Cypripedium calceolus





Lady's Slipper Orchid, Cypripedium calceolus


This one was second on the target list - really please to record it.




Orchis spitzelii




Orchis spitzelii




Orchis spitzelii




Orchis spitzelii




Gymnadenia densiflora




Late Spider Orchid, Ophrys fuciflora




Late Spider Orchid, Ophrys fuciflora




Bee Orchid, Ophrys apifera




Common Twayblade, Neottia ovata






Late Spider Orchid, Ophrys fuciflora







Monkey Orchid, Orchis simia



And finally the Pyramidal Orchid, Anacamptis pyramidalis

Pyramidal Orchid, Anacamptis pyramidalis

3 comments:

  1. Hi Dave, what fantastic photographs.best wishes Jeremy

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jeremy - hope you are well. Thanks for the kind comment - will try to post the non orchid botany and bits soon.

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  2. Ah, brings back lovely memories of a great holiday. Great photos, Dave. Judy (and Dave)

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