Today I rescued some bee orchids (Ophrys apifera) from being mowed.
I spotted these beautiful and distinctive little flowers outside work yesterday. With the brown centre that is shaped to look like a bee, they’re one of nature’s great mimics. Sadly, they’re declining in numbers. Each single flower takes the plant up to 8 years to produce. If it is cut too soon, its only chance of producing seeds is lost.
This morning I arrived at the restaurant only to see the mower at work.
I’m sure you can imagine my horror!
After a quick word with my manager I headed outside to speak to the man with the mower. I showed him the orchids and he said that he’d leave that patch untouched. To my delight, when I returned during my break later in the day there was not just one patch left unmowed, but two.
An Enchanted Place 
Well spotted and thank you on their, and humanity’s, behalf!
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Oh, they are so beautiful. One of Nature’s best mimics indeed. 8 years is a long time. I’m glad that you saved them from being mowed.
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