Tag: poem

Pyramidal Orchid

Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis), Lawrence Weston, Bristol, June 2026
Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis), Lawrence Weston, Bristol, June 2026

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Forgotten scrubland

hides pyramidal orchids

between motorways

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by Scooj

  • Yesterday I discovered the unlikeliest patch of orchids sandwiched 30 meters from two major motorways. Untroubled by interference, these beautiful pyramidal orchids were thriving. A truly wonderful and unexpected find.
Patch of Pyramidal Orchids, Lawrence Weston, Bristol, June 2026
Patch of Pyramidal Orchids, Lawrence Weston, Bristol, June 2026

Common Globetail

Common Globetail (Sphaerophoria scripta), Cheltenham Escarpment National Nature Reserve, Gloucestershire, June 2026

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Hoverfly alights

if only for a moment

never stop too long

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by Scooj

Ground Crab Spider

Ground Crab Spider, Riverside Park, Bristol, May 2026
Ground Crab Spider, Riverside Park, Bristol, May 2026

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Poised, assessing threat

spider bravely stands his ground

I leave him in peace

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by Scooj

Banded Damoiselle

Banded Damoiselle (Calopteryx splendens), Riverside Park, Bristol, June 2026
Banded Damoiselle ♀ (Calopteryx splendens), Riverside Park, Bristol, June 2026

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Banded Damoiselle

joins a merry courtship dance

settles a moment

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by Scooj

  • It took me an eternity to find the female symbol (♀) but I got there in the end.

Common Twayblade

Common Twayblade (Neottia ovata), Cheltenham Escarpment National Nature Reserve, Gloucestershire, June 2026
Common Twayblade (Neottia ovata), Cheltenham Escarpment National Nature Reserve, Gloucestershire, June 2026

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Unseen green on green

delicate flowering spike

overlooked orchid

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by Scooj

Roman Snail

Roman snail (Helix potamia), Cheltenham Escarpment National Nature Reserve, Gloucestershire, June 2026

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Roman artefact

also known as escargot

grassland survivor

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by Scooj

  • Roman snails are a naturalised species in the UK, thought to have been introduced by the Romans for food. This is the snail that is still prepared in France as ‘escargot’. However, some of the UK’s populations were decimated by people collecting them for cuisine or selling to such an extent that in 2008, the snails were given nearly total protection under the Wildlife & Countryside Act in order to save the remaining colonies. (Taken from a rather interesting RHS article)

Common Spotted Orchid

Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii), Cheltenham Escarpment National Nature Reserve, Gloucestershire, June 2026
Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii), Cheltenham Escarpment National Nature Reserve, Gloucestershire, June 2026

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On Leckhampton Hill

at home in limestone grassland

delicate orchid

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by Scooj

Helman Tor

View from Helman Tor, Mid Cornwall Moors National Nature Reserve, Cornwall, 27 May 2026
View from Helman Tor, Mid Cornwall Moors National Nature Reserve, Cornwall, 27 May 2026

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A rocky outcrop

drops to wet willow woodland

wind turbines turning

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by Scooj

A welcome to England’s newest National Nature Reserve – Mid Cornwall Moors NNR

Posy

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Acerbic at times

more often a loving heart

my favourite aunt

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don’t tell the other ones though

I’ll miss you so very much

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by Scooj

Birdsong

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Warm sunny May day

a day-long birdsong chorus

nothing else matters

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by Scooj