stophix

Hello, fellow Giggers!

I recently reconvened my "alternative service", which allows me to work for a conservation organisation. The labour is quite diversified. At some days, I fight against the spread of invasive neophytes, at others I mow fields, sometimes I do surveillance in nature reserves and finally, I help maintaining an information and surveillance booth in a special nature reserve, in which orchids grow naturally.

Since some of you guys are lovers of nature as well, I took some pictures of the nature I get to see at work. Please excuse the poor quality of the pictures. I know some of you guys are into photography - I'm sorry. :-)

Let's start with some general pictures of the area, in which orchids grow naturally.

As you can see, a part of the area consists of a light pine forest.

Our booth is located on top of a small hill, from which one has a quite nice overview.

Now onto the orchids. Bare in mind that some of these are quite inconspicuous and you maybe have to look twice in order to find them if you don't know what to look for.

This one's called Platanthera bifolia or "lesser butterfly-orchid"

Listera ovata or "common twayblade". Very unremarkable because of its colour.

Orchis militaris, the "military orchid". Funny name.

Cephalanthera longifolia, the "Narrow-leaved Helleborine". Very beautiful one.

Ophrys insectifera, the "fly orchid". Interesting one. Its appearance imitates a fly in order to attract pollinators.

Ophrys apifera, the "bee orchid". Similar to the "fly orchid" but with a bee-like appearance. Love this one.

That's all for now. Hope you enjoyed. :-)