Woodcock Orchid - Ophrys Scolopax

Ophyrs orchids attract male bees by imitating the shape, colour and scent of female bees. Each orchid is specialised to be pollinated by only one type of bee. Read an interesting article on the bbc today about bees cross pollinating different orchids creating hybrids.

We get several ophrys orchids in the Pyrenees. Woodcock orchid (above) and bee orchid are the most common. I’ve also seen insect and early spider orchids. You get more ophrys in the lower and drier regions – they seem to love the dry flysch either side of the Serrablo between Sabinanigo and Biescas.

Visit our Pyrenees flora gallery

Fly Orchid - ophrys insectifera

Walking under the cliffs of the Sierra de Partacua

Last week Jenny, Donna and Caroline joined us for a Lakes & Valleys guided walking holiday. We had superb weather particularly for the first half of the week and had great mountain views with clear blue skies overhead.

Our first days hike took us to the Ibon de Piedrafita under the cliffs of the Sierra de Partacua. Dozens of orchids and gentians were flowering in the  meadows around the lake.

Waterfalls in Ordesa

On Tuesday we hiked in the Ordesa Valley and we walked 20km in an impressively quick time. The recent hot weather has caused a lot of snow melt in the higher mountains so the waterfalls were in full flow. Monte Perdido stood in clear blue sky at the end of the valley.

The valley of La Ripera was our destination on Wednesday. This beautiful valley can be reached by walking directly from the hotel door. Jenny ventured in for a swim in the cold mountain stream while Donna and I were only brave enough to soak our feet.

Woodcock orchid - Ophrys scolopax

The orchids have been very impressive this year in the Pyrenees and we saw an incredible variety during the week. Higher in the valley elder flowered orchids covered the meadows. Also seen were the woodcock orchid, fragrant orchid, black vanilla orchid, pyramidal orchid, sword-leafed orchid, butterfly orchid, western marsh orchid, burnt orchid, ladies orchid, orchis pallens, early purple orchid and one that was new to me that I’ve not yet identified – a pretty impressive count in a week.

Thursday saw us take in the two peaks of Punta de la Cochata (1901m) and Punta del Pacino (1965m). Both peaks gave impressive panaromic views of all the peaks in the valley.

Walking into the valley of La Ripera

The following day we visited the monastery of San Juan de la Pena for a walk along the cliff tops. The colony of griffon vultures that roost there didn’t disapoint us and we watched for ages as the vultures circled around us. Our final hike was through the medieval villages of the Serrablo before a final evening shopping, eating and drinking in Jaca to round the holiday off.

Hope you all had a great week – thanks for coming – Anna and I would love to see you back in the Pyrenees again.

Scarce Swallowtail Butterfly

Jenny & Caroline on the summit of Punta del Pacino

Trumpet Gentians