A touch of exoticism

[Vagabond]

Ha ! how many misread the title

 

Went fishing today, caught some pike and some perch - nothing outstanding.

 

Norma came with me, wandered off to do some bird-watching, saw three sorts of falcon (kestrel, hobby and peregrine) a marsh harrier and a sparrowhawk.

 

But what really excited her was this:

 

 

It's a bee orchid, fairly rare. She had found a group of eight. I went over to look, and on the way spotted a group of twelve.

 

Did I say rare? After that bit of one-upmanship things got competitive and we toothcombed the area and came up with a total of 54 plants (Norma won, 34 to 20)

 

A delightful addition to a day's fishing.

[kendo]

very nice,very very nice,infact you could say I like that seriously good pic and find.

[Salar]

Very pretty. Its so often the non-fishing experiences that make a days fishing memorable.

[poledark]

Nice pic Vagabond, and thanks for sharing it with us.

 

"Our" best find were some 4 leaf clovers, Hazel came back from walking the dogs one day and said to me.."close your eyes, I have something very special for you, I wouldn't give this to anyone else"

(all say Ahhhhh)

 

She had found 6 Four leafed clovers. I got the local copy shop to seal them in plastic and we gave one each to all my boys.

 

Later on I found my own ones and No1 son found some as well...all from the same spot.

 

I will add a pic of them tomorrow.

 

Den

[Uncle Fester]

I think it comes with maturity, with no offence to anyone. The ability to appreciate the whole package of a fishing session, flora and fauna etc and not just fish in the net. If it had just been for the fish, I would have given up years ago.

To see a Kingfisher flash past, a Robin stealing your maggots, a Grass Snake swimming across the pond, a Barn Owl quartering the field opposite,even the overpowering aroma of those late summer Poor Man's Orchids, no phone ringing, no stress... who cares if you catch or not?

Yours looking forward to my next trip,

Unc F

[Slack lines]

Bee orchids are a real beaut of a flower, we have quite a few growing around my local water.

That's a great shot Vagabond

[Tony U]

Re Bee Orchids

I believe Steve has some at Wingham, another good place is on the newly restored grassland at Samphire Hoe.

If you like Orchids Queensdown Warren near Sittingbourne is worth a visit.

[Snatcher]

That is a beauty Vagabond.When will we see you next up the Mull of Galloway. Clashwhannon caravan park allows limited camping now

 

Did you see Ian Burretts tope report/picture on Shatchers week,some serious numbers there I can tell you. Lets hope I get the weather to emulate that feat