A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Ophrys apifera
In Britain the bee orchid is self-pollinating. In some places, however, it is thought to be pollinated by the bumblebee and its enchanting flower is designed to help things along. Fooled into thinking there's another one of its kind, bumblebees try to mate with it. In doing so the orchid's pollen is spread more easily.
Found by the roadside of a busy dual carriageway and next to a bus stop in the Dearne Valley.
The local council have agreed not to cut the grass verges until after the Orchids have finished flowering.
Spotted on Jul 13, 2013
Submitted on Jul 16, 2013
6 Comments
I'm glad you think so Leuba! Thank you for the appreciation and taking time to read and comment on it too :-)
Fortunately it is located near a large nature reserve owned by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) so I think they managed to persuade the council to postpone the grass cutting until they had finished flowering, although it is quite comical when you all you can see at the side of a busy dual carriageway is people on their knees underneath a bus stop trying to get photos of this beauty!!
Everything about this spotting is lovely ! - the orchid, the information and the council's decision to leave them alone to propogate and for everyone to enjoy !! Thanks for sharing, Debbie.
Haha, I am sure Faredin wouldn't mind if you took a detour en route ;-)
haha difficult decision :D
Thanks Jopy! Looks like you should be heading to Yorkshire then instead of Denmark haha ;-)
Nice to see this one, Orchids in Croatia have finished flowering, I'm not happy for that :(