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Last year I started photographing orchids, after a chance ‘encounter’ with some pyramidal orchids [Anacamptis pyramidalis] when on a walk. At that time I was really a little too late in the season – and unprepared – to start searching for more varieties.

I’m hoping to have more success finding orchids in 2021. So far, I’ve photographed the early spider-orchid [Ophrys sphegodes] and the early-purple orchid [Orchis mascula]. Both were photographed in Dorset, over in the Purbecks. Also the burnt-tip orchid [Neotinea ustulata] at Martin Down, on the Dorset/Hampshire border.

It seems that everything is flowering late this year because of the weather, but with a few sunny days in a row now, I’m hoping to see a lot more orchids appearing in Dorset and Hampshire.

Burnt-tip orchids (Neotinea ustulata) at Martin Down Nature Reserve, Hampshire

Burnt-tip orchids [Neotinea ustulata] at Martin Down Nature Reserve, Hampshire.

Early spider-orchid [Ophrys sphegodes]. Growing in Dorset.
Early spider-orchid [Ophrys sphegodes] starting to flower. Growing in Dorset.
Early-purple orchid (Orchis mascula). Growing in Dorset.

Early-purple orchid [Orchis mascula] starting to flower. Growing in in the Purbecks, Dorset.

Early spider-orchid [Ophrys sphegodes]. Growing in the Purbecks, Dorset.

Early spider-orchid [Ophrys sphegodes] starting to flower. Growing in Dorset, near Swanage.