Ochroleuca orchids

 After I had succeeded in tracking down the Essex tongue orchid colony, I turned to the orchid which interested me the most behind that and which I could reach easily. The ochroleuca orchid. This is a very rare morph of the common early marsh orchid. There are only three places where it is to be found in the UK, and in all of these places it is catastrophically rare. It is so rare the entire UK population seems to be significantly less than 100 individuals, maybe even less than 50, making this the 5th or 6th rarest orchid in the UK (depending on the identity of the mysterious Suffolk Serapias) 

After a lot of stubborn searching and reading, I found out two localities where I could find it. One I immediately ruled out because it was private land, and later learned that it once had a population of 30 of these orchids, now down to a 'single clump'. The other was an inconspicuous nature reserve. I wonder what this colour is caused by- perhaps a lack of a micro-element in the soil, or is it really something genetic? 

I found the reserve without issue, and immediately found the orchids. I found 6 or 7 of them scattered throughout, and a further clump behind an electric fence. Guess this place must be even better than the private location. It was way too easy, and so I lost myself photographing them, 

Once I was done with them, I took a look for whether there were any fragrant orchids, but there was no sign of them. The cuckoos were very obliging however, and I listened to them whilst I returned to take more photos. Something this rare shouldn't just get away with a few photos. I hope the UK population can be restored to higher levels, like was done with the fen orchid