it's almost autumn (no more!)

[Yann]

today 9°C, rain, gloomy 
But rain doesn't stop a plant hunter 

[Yann]

Had a 200km round trip, return under rain of course

Ophrys shown here are sphegodes and araneola, to differ them take a look at the basal aread.
araneola: the color is always clearer compare to the label, the H is grey with blue tone, border yellow


sphegodes: dark color, haired gibbosities




Here's the hybrid sphegodes x araneola and insectifera x araneola

[gerrit]

Had a 200km round trip, return under rain of course

Ophrys shown here are sphegodes and araneola, to differ them take a look at the basal aread.
araneola: the color is always clearer compare to the label, the H is grey with blue tone, border yellow
(Attachment Link)

sphegodes: dark color, haired gibbosities

(Attachment Link)
(Attachment Link)

Here's the hybrid sphegodes x araneola and insectifera x araneola

(Attachment Link)

Where did the pictures have been taken?

[Yann]

in the department Pas de Calais, 50km far from the Touquet and Abbeville.

[gerrit]

in the department Pas de Calais, 50km far from the Touquet and Abbeville.

So close to the Belgian border.

Ophrys araneola, with its yellow reflexed border, very nice. Would this species perhaps occur at Viroinvalle? Ophrys insectifera definately. (in The Netherlands also, South Limburg, very rare)

[Yann]

yes araneola can be seen all around Viroinval, they're also nice stations near Chimay (not beer station!) and Rocroi

[gerrit]

yes araneola can be seen all around Viroinval, they're also nice stations near Chimay (not beer station!) and Rocroi

Thanks, good to know about O. araneola. Let's hope it is still in flower the third of June.

, they're also nice stations near Chimay (not beer station)

I will not tell my Belgian friends, otherwise they definately choose for the Chimay beer station.

[Yann]

Thanks, good to know about O. araneola. Let's hope it is still in flower the third of June.

I will not tell my Belgian friends, otherwise they definately choose for the Chimay beer station.

early June is perfect, fuciflora will be at their peak. You can join walk in the meadows and then pleasure of a beer (and not vice & versa  )

[johnralphcarpenter]

Just spent a week staying near Chimay and exploring the area by car and on foot. Only orchids seen were early purple. Explored the Fondry des Chiens but not much to be seen in the way of flowers. Very hot and dry.

[Yann]

Yes Ralph it's very dry in the whole country. Around Nisme it's a calceorous soil so dryer than elsewhere in the region.

I've already visited sites in Vercors, Buech and South-west at least 50% of the orchids are burnt or will not flower. It's a pity this year 
This week-end i'm going to Aveyron and people there told me only 30% are in bloom... looks like i'll photography flowers of the Causse.
By the while if someone of the forum is around, message me