Third visit this week

Lil and I went to Gowk Bank this afternoon. She drove which was nice for me, since I had driven to it twice already this week.

Lil is an excellent botanist and we spent a lot of time looking at the different orchids and discussing their features.

The frog orchids were elusive today, but I eventually spotted one and later, another.  The tway blades are coming out everywhere and the marsh and common spotted orchids (and hybrids) are still gorgeous.

There were a number of cars parked near to the nature reserve. The occupants were all waiting to see Dutch helicopters on manoeuvres at Spadeadam. The spotters were equipped with camping stoves, picnics and long lenses. One of them laid out a large Dutch flag in a field.

As we left the area, one helicopter cam over. I did not have time to leap out of the car and grab my iphone. I didn't think my macro lens would be much use!

This morning I stayed in bed and had a very lazy time. 

I thought you might enjoy seeing this cluster of marsh orchids.