Pyramidal Orchids are blooming now on the Downs

Here are a selection of pictures of Pyramidal Orchids taken today on the South Downs in West Sussex.

One that has just emerged.

This beauty was in the middle of a bridle path and had escaped the horses' hooves.  In fact the best specimens that I saw today were adjacent to the bridle path, which suggests that orchids don't mind the odd dose of horse manure.  So much for needing a nutrient poor habitat then!