Looking back through my files I found the above two images from a total of only four recorded at the time and location. I cannot remember what the weather was doing on that morning because I have no “landscape” shots from the same session which could, perhaps, have shown clear sky or cloud build-up to give me a clue. I can only surmise that it was too windy for close-ups (probably) or my camera’s battery expired (unlikely). I’ve found that since going digital most types of weather don’t deter my photography... in part because a digital camera’s “sensitivity” can be adjusted from the finest quality obtained at ISO100, to around ISO400 or ISO 640 without any degradation of the image, thus allowing two or more stops of control over subject movement. But on that day the conditions must have been really against me because I didn’t take the requisite close-ups of any individual flower head... and, if the flowering period for this variety is over, there may not be another chance this year!

Of course when one embarks on a more engaging pastime, the lack of specialist knowledge (some may call it ignorance) can frequently catch you out. Considering that some European orchids may only flower once in a generation at certain locations due to factors ranging from difficulty in pollination and seeding, destruction of the habitat and climate change, then it is better to be aware of everything one sees there and then and record it properly, with written notes if possible. So... one lesson learnt!

The British Orchid’s web page notes that,

"The Loose-Flowered Orchid is of uncertain or doubtful provenance... it resembles a loosely packed, open spike of the Southern Marsh Orchid, but the sides of the lip are folded back and the spur is long, slender and straight. This species has long been known from both Jersey and Guernsey in the Channel Islands, where it is carefully protected. An experiment was conducted in 1987, as part of the Sainsbury Orchid Project at Kew, to see if seedling orchid plants raised in the laboratory could be transplanted successfully into the wild. This species was deliberately chosen, since it had never been recorded in Great Britain, so that, should it spread, the origin of any such plants would be known. A total of 350 seedlings were planted at Wakehurst Place in Sussex, where they have flourished."

And from the Jersey Stamp Bulletin...

”The Jersey Post has decided in 2003 to concentrate on one particular area of the wetlands and depict the wild flora which grows in Le Noir Pré meadow. Locally, this meadow is known as the ‘Orchid Field’ because of the abundance of orchids which grow in its very damp conditions.

The orchids which grow at Le Noir Pré include the Loose-Flowered Orchid (commonly known as the “Jersey Orchid”), Southern-marsh Orchid and the Spotted Orchid. It is due to the commitment of the members of the National Trust of Jersey to keep the area free from man-made chemicals and/or pollutants that the orchids are able to grow in such abundance. A stone’s throw from the Orchid Field is a carefully managed golf-course which is beautifully kept for golfers but is devoid of orchids even in the rough. It is a perfect example of what happens when nature is tampered with.”