It’s been a grand afternoon 18C but the wind has got stronger. It could rain again tomorrow so I thought I’d macro a few plants. If I had any hair I’d have pulled it out. What a job it was! I have to go into Lairg tomorrow as I forgot to buy enough dog food. I may get a broadband signal there so I thought I’d get up to date.
I hope this is a Common Spotted Orchid. I have my doubts as it’s growing in a swamp and a peaty swamp at that. It’s about six inches tall and three quarters of it is stem or stalk so it’s more likely to be a Marsh Orchid.
This is Bell Heather. Until 1819, when their houses were burnt down and they were driven away, the local populace used it for making beer, bedding and rope. If it should turn out not be Bell Heather then they didn’t use this plant, not for making beer or rope they didn’t.
This is Sundew…..a Great Sundew….that’s it’s real name not my expressing appreciation of it. I seem to recall it is carnivorous. It traps flies and eats them. It isn’t dangerous to humans, it is only a few inches tall. It’s the first one I’ve seen so I was happy. There are several around on the foreshore and I found a couple that had caught flies but the images are too blurry to use.
I’ll get up to the old township tomorrow when I get back from the shop. I’ve been once and it is a wonderful if rather sad place.
The view from the van this evening…..Loch Naver and Ben Klibreck.
That’s all for day two and a bit.
The flowers are pretty or interesting or both. I'm glad the Great Sundew is not the Monstrous Sundew because I would be very afraid. The landscape...I have no words Adrian. I just absolutely love it.
ReplyDeleteDavid, it's a grand spot and a great place to wander in. The Sundew can give a nasty suck.
DeleteLooks like yet another beautiful place Adrian as usual the images are great
ReplyDeleteCheers Douglas. The place needs a birder like yourself to do it justice.
DeleteSuch lovely spots.. the orchid and the place in general. It's been years since I've heard The Wild Rover in a pub but your post titles bring me back there.
ReplyDeleteHilary, I bet your dad sang it, you must be too young. I hope I can keep roving for many a year but I fear I'm getting weaker.
DeleteThe landscape is very good. Great find on the carnivorous plant.
ReplyDeleteMaria, It is beautiful. I used to walk on plants like this till I started blogging. People taught me to look where I was putting my feet.
DeleteThey are beautiful flowers, and I am glad that you haven't forgotten the dogs.
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful flowers, and I am glad that you haven't forgotten the dogs.
ReplyDeleteBob, I wish I could forget them sometimes.
DeleteBeautiful flowers ... And the orchid more. ADRIAN.
ReplyDeleteIn the picture you see the fly caught in 2 x :))
A hug.
Laura, yes I saw it. it had caught a Crane Fly but I didn't manage to get it in focus. That bit you see is it's tail.
DeleteNow that the crofts are less used than they have ever been one would think that there would be more wild plants but unfortunately the lack of cropping seems to have the reverse effect in that the long grass swallows and chokes many of the small ail plants. Spurred on by your photos I must go exploring some more now that I have the microscope.
ReplyDeleteGraham, plants like poppies need the soil to be tilled. Sheep are the pest; they don't eat bracken or lings but gobble most other interesting plants. I love the really tiny flowers.
DeleteCRACKING MACRO WORK ADRIAN
ReplyDeletePeter, it is getting better. I have a macro plate but took these by hand on birder mode...IE I blitzed five shots off and picked the best.
DeleteThe people who lived in this area sound interesting. They sound a bit like our aboriginals as they used natrve plants for many things. I will have to look into these guys. Do they have a particular name.
ReplyDeleteRed, a third of their descendants are now Canadians. I think that Poverty stricken Scots would about sum them up. Look up 'The Clearances' a particularly dishonourable bit of English history. One among many I'm sad to say.
DeletePrachtig macro werk,klasse.
ReplyDeleteThank you Nic.
DeleteBeautiful whatever they are. I'd avoid trying to pick the Sundew anyway, just in case...
ReplyDeleteWhen it flowers Monica it has very pretty little white flowers.
DeleteThis orchid is beautiful Adrian
ReplyDeleteMichelle, they are gorgeous little plants.
DeleteBeautiful plants, even the fly catcher. I do wonder if they look as good in real life, though.
ReplyDeletePauline, they are real I don't mess with plants and animals...Okay I do but generally say if I have. These are flash lit on a dedicated close up lens. I do own a lens that will only focus from four inches to two inches. Good job I'm a bloke.
DeleteThe Aussie cricket team could do with a bit of my spin...they could do with hitting with a big stick wrapped in rusty barbed wire. Don't pass this on till we Poms have whitewashed them....Please!
Cracking orchid photo Adrian.
ReplyDeleteJohn, Ta but it needs stacking. The wind makes that impossible. I should really pick them and bring them back but although they are not rare I just can't do it.
DeleteIt's a wonderful trip to do Adrian... mine was way back in 1992.
ReplyDeleteI really must do it again.
Andrew, it is. I'm fighting weather but the good days are magical.
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