Southern Marsh Orchid

These were all along the towpath of the local canal, where we were walking in a lull between the morning rain and the afternoon showers today.

We saw swans with four cygnets and also another solitary red deer hind, again in deep undergrowth.  I can't help but think that they have split from the main herd in anticipation of giving birth.  Certainly worth checking out the area over the next couple of weeks to see what is happening.