Paphiopedilum Orchid

Another record shot but containing today's deliberate mistake!  Three years ago yesterday Kanyl and I were at an "Orchid Day" at Beetham Nurseries when I bought this Paphiopeilum maudii.   By the way it is going, it will be fully open for the three year anniversary, this year's Orchid Day is on Saturday.

The bud was first spotted on 24/11/22 it can be seen here.
Then I recorded its progress on 22/12/22 it can be seen here.
If you can't wait until I blip it fully open the flower can be seen here.

This evening we went to our usual monthly meeting of the local Wildlife Trust support group.  The talk was about Red Squirrel conservation.  It appears our local Reds are holding their own (just) against the increasing Grey population with a lot of help from the rangers.

Two future control possibilities were mentioned.  The first being a contraceptive which would need to be administered every 6 months.  The proposal is to give it in food from feeders which only open for the weight of a grey as they are nearly twice the weight of the Reds.  That is however a few years away.  The second method is being worked on to genetically produce greys which only produce male offspring.  That is is however a lot more years away.

P.S. Today's mistake was not checking my camera setting after photographing th e Robin on a dull dismal day, hence the "noisy" shot.