Northern Orchidaceae

Marsh Fragrant Orchids amongst Betony, July 2025. A couple of weeks ago I headed to some of my favourite orchid hunting groups in South Lakes. It was a great day out, and a super sunny and very hot day! On the way back I decided to visit another orchid haunt, in Yorkshire. As I headed north a flash of crimson spears illuminated a roadside embankment. I continued travelling at least a mile before I could turn around and head back. Then on the way back I had to travel at least another mile, past the embankment, before I could then turn around again to be able to park on the opposite side of the road close to the embankment. A short walk back I was able to quickly determine the beauty of a large colony of Marsh Fragrant Orchids (Gymnadenia densiflora). These were stunners and looked highly photogenic amongst the Betony (Stachys officinalis). The problem I had to overcome is that in order photograph them I had to perch on a steep part of the embankment and do so safely, away from traffi...