As previously mentioned, Croatia was a good place to see Orchids. Both in the hills around the Velji Do road and also in the sheltered fertile meadows close to the airport. We were surprised that these hillsides & fields weren't being grazed heavily with Goats, as that would have been typical in many Mediterranean countries. But as a result it was good for flowers in general & Orchids in particular. The Orchids were well scattered across the fields and hillsides around the Velji Do road area. Others were found in greater density in some of the fertile lowland grassy meadows near to the airport. Whilst not being particularly interested in flowers (I prefer things that move), Orchids have been the exception for me from my early days of photography. Like Butterflies & Dragonflies, there are a good selection of the UK species on the South coast to keep me interested with the camera. To my eyes, they are probably more photogenic than many of the other UK flowers. So not surprisingly, it made for a good diversion from the Bird photography. In ended up seeing 9 species of Orchids & missed the Monkey Orchids seen at Velji Do.
Sparse-flowered Orchid: Velji Do (4 May 14)
Sparse-flowered Orchid: Velji Do (4 May 14)
Green-winged Orchid: Start of the Velji Do road (4 May 14)
Green-winged Orchid: Start of the Velji Do road (4 May 14)
Woodcock Orchid: Velji Do (4 May 14)
Woodcock Orchid: Velji Do (4 May 14)
Woodcock Orchid: Velji Do (4 May 14)
Woodcock Orchid: Velji Do (5 May 14). This individual looked like the ones seen the previous day
Woodcock Orchid: Velji Do (5 May 14). This one had white petals
Woodcock Orchid: Velji Do (5 May 14). This one has a mixture of white & pink petals
Woodcock Orchid: Velji Do (5 May 14). This one has pink petals, but a more complicated flower
Three-toothed Orchid: Velji Do (4 May 14)
Loose-flowered Orchid: Velji Do (5 May 14)
Loose-flowered Orchid: Meadows near Cavtat airport (5 May 14). The meadows were stunning
Tongue Orchid: Meadows near Cavtat airport (5 May 14)
Tongue Orchid: Meadows near Cavtat airport (5 May 14)
Bee Orchid: Meadows near Cavtat airport (5 May 14)
Bee Orchid: Meadows near Cavtat airport (5 May 14)
Bee Orchid: Meadows near Cavtat airport (5 May 14). The upper part of this flower looks like it ought to be the latest cartoon duck to come out of Disney
On the final afternoon, Gav found a large group of Woodcock Orchids close to Velji Do village. Some looked like the ones seen the previous day, but others had these white petals & another was a mixed coloured petals.
Bug Orchid: Meadows near Cavtat airport (5 May 14)
Pyramidal Orchid: Meadows near Cavtat airport (5 May 14)
Unknown Flower: Meadows near Cavtat airport (5 May 14). Finally, another interesting looking Flower
If I've made any errors in the Orchid identification, please let me know by leaving a Comment to this post.