News
Dunshay Manor, Harman’s Cross, Dorset
The Landmark Trust Open Day at Dunshay Manor, Harman's Cross, Swanage, Dorset (September 2022).
Remembering Queen Elizabeth II
On 15th September I made a trip to London to see the memorial flowers for the Queen at Green Park, which is adjacent to Buckingham Palace. Huge numbers of flowers have been placed there by the public and, as I write this, they continue to be.
Dogs Of The Great Dorset Steam Fair 2022
Photos of dogs at The Great Dorset Steam Fair 2022 (National Heritage Show) at Tarrant Hinton, Dorset.
Great Dorset Steam Fair 2022
Photos from The Great Dorset Steam Fair 2022. Traction engines, steam vehicles, WW1 and WW2 replica display & trench system.
Dorset Marsh Gentians: Rare & Beautiful
Marsh gentians thrive in areas of wet, acid heathland or grassland. Nationally rare, this beautiful plant is on the decline.
Wareham Forest’s Carnivorous, Purple Pitcher Plants
Wareham Forest's carnivorous, purple pitcher plants were reported to have been introduced to the area in the 1980s. Despite their exotic appearance, they are non-native and highly invasive.
Dorset Pink Poppy Fields 2022
This year I had decided not to bother photographing any Dorset pink poppy fields. Having taken photos of opium poppies every year since 2015, I simply felt that I’d had my fill.
It’s Dorset Red Poppy Field Time!
Are these the first Dorset field poppies of 2022? I was out and about today and chanced upon these Dorset red poppies, scattered amongst the pale yellow rapeseed. It was a beautiful and welcome sight and so early in the red poppy season too. I really hope to see a lot more Dorset red poppy fields this year, as 2021 wasn't too good for them.Dorset red poppies flowering amongst rapeseed.Different location and a bit later in the year - a gorgeous field of Dorset red poppies.
The Lupin Flower Field, Terwick St Peter Church
Each year there is a striking display of colourful lupins at Terwick St Peter Church, near Petersfield. Unfortunately, there aren't nearly as many as there were in years gone by because the lupins are now mixed in with other wildflowers and grasses. Nonetheless, it is worth a visit. The site is under National Trust ownership.
Dorset Henbane – Rare, Poisonous & Vulnerable
Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) has got to be one of the weirdest looking plants there is, certainly in this country. Not only that, it's highly poisonous, smells sickly sweet and only flowers biennially (every two years). Once seen, never forgotten.
Abbey Hill Steam Rally, Yeovil, Dorset
Sunshine, steam and motorbikes... what's not to like?!
Dorset’s Wild Orchids 2022
![Early spider-orchid [Ophrys sphegodes]. Growing in Dorset.](https://www.m35photography.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/DSC0124-Edit-copy.jpg)
We are lucky in Dorset because we have what is possibly the best site for early spider-orchids in the UK. Ophrys sphegodes is also the first orchid to flower each year, heralding the start of the ‘orchid season.’ This year, I also found a woodcock orchid x Fly orchid hybrid, growing on a steep, Dorset hillside.
Barnsley Warren Pasqueflowers 2022
There are an estimated 20,000 pasqueflower plants (Pulsatilla vulgaris) growing at Barnsley Warren SSSI, in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire.
Therfield Heath Pasqueflowers 2022
Therfield Heath is renowned for its abundant colony of pasqueflowers and people travel from far and wide (like I did!) to see this annual Easter-tide spectacle. This really is the best place for 'pasqueflower action' in the UK!
Pasqueflowers at Martin Down, March 2022
The first pasqueflower to bloom at Martin Down National Nature Reserve in 2022.