Thurday 13th May 2010
Yesterday we returned to the N.W. corner of Lancashire were the border adjoins the Cumbrian border near toArnside and Silverdale which is listed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This area south of the River Kent Estuary is famous for its wild flowers including several orchids. Because of my interest in wild orchids the seach was on to see if we could find any different orchids that we had only viewed in the text books, so we away early to search this unspoilt corner of N.W. England.
On our way across country this field near to kirkby Lonsdale drew my attention, a field full of the humble Dandelions dispersed with the Lady's Smock (May Flower)
Arnside viaduct and the River Kent from Arnside Knott
The distant Langdale Pikes in the Lake District
Early Purple Orchids
Looking south across Morcambe Bay
A curtain of precipitation hangs down below the cloud this falls as snow on the higher hills such as the Pennines and the Lake District Fells
This field is old Pasture Land, in this field we found hundreds of orchids
Our first new find... the Green Winged or ( Green Veined Orchid)
Early Purple and Green Veined Orchids growing together
A type of Hybrid Pink Green Veined Orchid
I think this is a White Early Purple Orchid?
Another Green Veined Orchid less than 2 inches in height
Another shower approaching
Walking the coastal path around Arnside Knott
The woodland floor covered in Lily of the Valley
Coastal path
Cowslips beside the coastal path
And finally back to the small resort of Arnside
I felt as if I was on this outing David! All those beautiful wildflowers and the coastal walk looks wonderful. It was nice to see the photo of the Lily of the Valley growing in its natural habitat. I've never seen it growing wild like that. I have a small clump in the garden, but to see all those.... it must have been beautiful! Arnside looks lovely. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how beautiful Dandelions can look when grouped together. The field we back on to is like your picture..then it turns in to a sea of cream as the seed heads are produces which I also find lovely..then the wind gets up and the seeds blow in to our garden! My husband spends most of the summer digging up Dandelions that have sown themselves in the lawn and veg plot. Loved the Orchid pictures.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful day out. Lovely pictures.
ReplyDeleteSome good finds and a beautiful walk, loved the orchids.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous shots today; you were quite successful! The expanses of orchids and lily of the valley are beautiful. Last weekend I found a small stand of lily of the valley growing wild in our woods, but your find puts mine to shame!
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