Nature Photographers Ltd

  • Portfolio
  • About
  • Contact
  • Archive
    • All Galleries
    • Search
    • Cart
    • Lightbox
    • Client Area
  • NPL Blog
Show Navigation

Search Results

Refine Search
Match all words
Match any word
Prints
Personal Use
Royalty-Free
Rights-Managed
(leave unchecked to
search all images)
{ 39 images found }
twitterlinkedinfacebook

Loading ()...

  • The breakwater at the Arun estuary at Littlehampton, West Sussex takes a battering during the gales of early 2014
    155663.jpg
  • Turtle Rock and the Western Rocks, Isles of Scilly
    155581.jpg
  • Angry clouds and surf around Shipman Head, Bryher, Isles of Scilly, UK
    155067.jpg
  • Surf around Shipman Head, Bryher, Isles of Scilly, UK
    154405.jpg
  • Grey Poplar Populus x canescens (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 37m. Stable hybrid between White Poplar and Aspen. When fully mature, grows into an impressively large tree with a good solid bole. In spring the tree has a whitish appearance when the wind displaces the leaves, but it is not as brilliantly white as the White Poplar. BARK Whitish with diamond-shaped fissures. LEAVES Rounded to oval and toothed with regular blunt, forward-pointing teeth; borne on long petioles. Leaf upper surface is glossy grey-green and lower surface is covered with a greyish-white felt. By mid- to late summer the leaves lose some of the white felt and the tree looks greyer. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins are borne on separate trees. Fe¬male trees with green, pendulous catkins are rare. Male catkins are elongated and pendulous, giving whole tree a purplish col¬our when they swell before opening in spring. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mainland Europe and introduced into Britain very early, probably with the White Poplar.
    133949.jpg
  • Grey Poplar Populus x canescens (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 37m <br />
Stable hybrid between White Poplar and Aspen. When fully mature, grows into an impressively large tree with a good solid bole. In spring the tree has a whitish appearance when the wind displaces the leaves, but it is not as brilliantly white as the White Poplar. BARK Whitish with diamond-shaped fissures. LEAVES Rounded to oval and toothed with regular blunt, forward-pointing teeth; borne on long petioles. Leaf upper surface is glossy grey-green and lower surface is covered with a greyish-white felt. By mid- to late summer the leaves lose some of the white felt and the tree looks greyer. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins are borne on separate trees. Fe¬male trees with green, pendulous catkins are rare. Male catkins are elongated and pendulous, giving whole tree a purplish col¬our when they swell before opening in spring. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mainland Europe and introduced into Britain very early, probably with the White Poplar.
    133206.jpg
  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
    154943.jpg
  • Grey Poplar Populus x canescens (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 37m <br />
Stable hybrid between White Poplar and Aspen. When fully mature, grows into an impressively large tree with a good solid bole. In spring the tree has a whitish appearance when the wind displaces the leaves, but it is not as brilliantly white as the White Poplar. BARK Whitish with diamond-shaped fissures. LEAVES Rounded to oval and toothed with regular blunt, forward-pointing teeth; borne on long petioles. Leaf upper surface is glossy grey-green and lower surface is covered with a greyish-white felt. By mid- to late summer the leaves lose some of the white felt and the tree looks greyer. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins are borne on separate trees. Fe¬male trees with green, pendulous catkins are rare. Male catkins are elongated and pendulous, giving whole tree a purplish col¬our when they swell before opening in spring. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mainland Europe and introduced into Britain very early, probably with the White Poplar.
    133207.jpg
  • Grey Poplar Populus x canescens (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 37m <br />
Stable hybrid between White Poplar and Aspen. When fully mature, grows into an impressively large tree with a good solid bole. In spring the tree has a whitish appearance when the wind displaces the leaves, but it is not as brilliantly white as the White Poplar. BARK Whitish with diamond-shaped fissures. LEAVES Rounded to oval and toothed with regular blunt, forward-pointing teeth; borne on long petioles. Leaf upper surface is glossy grey-green and lower surface is covered with a greyish-white felt. By mid- to late summer the leaves lose some of the white felt and the tree looks greyer. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins are borne on separate trees. Fe¬male trees with green, pendulous catkins are rare. Male catkins are elongated and pendulous, giving whole tree a purplish col¬our when they swell before opening in spring. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mainland Europe and introduced into Britain very early, probably with the White Poplar.
    132478.jpg
  • PYRAMIDAL ORCHID Anacamptis pyramidalis (Orchidaceae) Height to 30cm. An attractive orchid of dry grassland and usually associated with calcareous soils and stabilised sand dunes. FLOWERS are deep pink and have a 3-lobed lip and a long spur; they are borne in dense, conical or domed flower heads (Jun-Aug). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES are grey-green, lanceolate and usually carried upright, partially sheathing the flower stem. STATUS-Locally common in parts of England, Wales and Ireland but commonest in the SE.
    131338.jpg
  • LESSER BUTTERFLY-ORCHID Platanthera bifolia (Orchidaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive orchid of undisturbed grassland, moors and open woodland, on a wide range of soil types. FLOWERS are greenish white with a long, narrow lip, a long spur (25-30mm) and pollen sacs that are parallel; borne in open spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise a pair of large oval leaves at the base and much smaller scale-like leaves up the stem. STATUS-Widespread but local.
    131216.jpg
  • GREATER BUTTERFLY-ORCHID Platanthera chlorantha (Orchidaceae) Height to 50cm. Tall and elegant orchid of undisturbed woodland, scrub and grassland, mostly on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are greenish white with a long, narrow lip, a long spur (15-25mm) and pollen sacs that form an inverted ‘v’; borne in open spikes (Jun-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise a single pair at the base of the plant and a few smaller stem leaves. STATUS-Widespread but local.
    131096.jpg
  • WHITE HELLEBORINE Cephalanthera damasonium (Orchidaceae) Height to 50cm. Attractive orchid of woods and scrub on calcareous soils, often under beech (Fagus sylvatica). FLOWERS are 15-20mm long, creamy white, bell-shaped and partially open; each has a leafy bract and they are borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES are broad and oval at the base, but become smaller up the stem. STATUS-Locally common in S England only.
    131004.jpg
  • WHITE HELLEBORINE Cephalanthera damasonium (Orchidaceae) Height to 50cm. Attractive orchid of woods and scrub on calcareous soils, often under beech (Fagus sylvatica). FLOWERS are 15-20mm long, creamy white, bell-shaped and partially open; each has a leafy bract and they are borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES are broad and oval at the base, but become smaller up the stem. STATUS-Locally common in S England only.
    130961.jpg
  • BIRD’S-NEST ORCHID Neottia nidus-avis (Orchidaceae) Height to 35cm. Bizarre-looking orchid that entirely lacks chlorophyll and obtains its nutrition as a parasite of fungal hyphae. It is found in undisturbed woodland, usually under Beech (Fagus sylvatica). FLOWERS are brownish, with a hood and a 2-lobed lip, 10mm long; borne in fairly dense spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES are reduced to brownish scale-like structures. STATUS-Widespread throughout most of the region, except N Scotland, but always local.
    130916.jpg
  • FRAGRANT ORCHID Gymnadenia conopsea (Orchidaceae) Height to 40cm.A robust and relatively tall orchid that is associated with both damp and dry grassland; it does best on calcareous soils or flushes, and often occurs in rather dense colonies. FLOWERS are extremely fragrant and typically pink, although a spike’s colour can vary from almost white to deep purple. Individual flowers have a 3-lobed lip and a long spur; they are borne in dense, cylindrical spikes (up to 15cm tall) (Jun-Aug). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES are rather short and most are found at the base of the plant; a few, very narrow leaves are borne up the stem. STATUS-Widespread and locally common; most frequent in the S and SE.
    121137.jpg
  • Height to 50cm. An attractive orchid although the true beauty of its flowers are often difficult to appreciate because it usually grows in deep shade. Favours woods on calcareous soils, usually Beech (Fagus sylvatica). FLOWERS are reddish pink, bell-shaped and open widely at the mouth; borne in open spikes (Jun-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES are long and narrow. STATUS-Rare and local in S England only, but possibly overlooked because of its favoured habitat.
    114419.jpg
  • LESSER BUTTERFLY-ORCHID Platanthera bifolia (Orchidaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive orchid of undisturbed grassland, moors and open woodland, on a wide range of soil types. FLOWERS are greenish white with a long, narrow lip, a long spur (25-30mm) and pollen sacs that are parallel; borne in open spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise a pair of large oval leaves at the base and much smaller scale-like leaves up the stem. STATUS-Widespread but local.
    144547.jpg
  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
    154942.jpg
  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
    154944.jpg
  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
    154945.jpg
  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
    154946.jpg
  • Grey Poplar Populus x canescens (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 37m <br />
Stable hybrid between White Poplar and Aspen. When fully mature, grows into an impressively large tree with a good solid bole. In spring the tree has a whitish appearance when the wind displaces the leaves, but it is not as brilliantly white as the White Poplar. BARK Whitish with diamond-shaped fissures. LEAVES Rounded to oval and toothed with regular blunt, forward-pointing teeth; borne on long petioles. Leaf upper surface is glossy grey-green and lower surface is covered with a greyish-white felt. By mid- to late summer the leaves lose some of the white felt and the tree looks greyer. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins are borne on separate trees. Fe¬male trees with green, pendulous catkins are rare. Male catkins are elongated and pendulous, giving whole tree a purplish col¬our when they swell before opening in spring. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mainland Europe and introduced into Britain very early, probably with the White Poplar.
    133905.jpg
  • Grey Poplar Populus x canescens (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 37m <br />
Stable hybrid between White Poplar and Aspen. When fully mature, grows into an impressively large tree with a good solid bole. In spring the tree has a whitish appearance when the wind displaces the leaves, but it is not as brilliantly white as the White Poplar. BARK Whitish with diamond-shaped fissures. LEAVES Rounded to oval and toothed with regular blunt, forward-pointing teeth; borne on long petioles. Leaf upper surface is glossy grey-green and lower surface is covered with a greyish-white felt. By mid- to late summer the leaves lose some of the white felt and the tree looks greyer. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins are borne on separate trees. Fe¬male trees with green, pendulous catkins are rare. Male catkins are elongated and pendulous, giving whole tree a purplish col¬our when they swell before opening in spring. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mainland Europe and introduced into Britain very early, probably with the White Poplar.
    132483.jpg
  • Grey Poplar Populus x canescens (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 37m <br />
Stable hybrid between White Poplar and Aspen. When fully mature, grows into an impressively large tree with a good solid bole. In spring the tree has a whitish appearance when the wind displaces the leaves, but it is not as brilliantly white as the White Poplar. BARK Whitish with diamond-shaped fissures. LEAVES Rounded to oval and toothed with regular blunt, forward-pointing teeth; borne on long petioles. Leaf upper surface is glossy grey-green and lower surface is covered with a greyish-white felt. By mid- to late summer the leaves lose some of the white felt and the tree looks greyer. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins are borne on separate trees. Fe¬male trees with green, pendulous catkins are rare. Male catkins are elongated and pendulous, giving whole tree a purplish col¬our when they swell before opening in spring. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mainland Europe and introduced into Britain very early, probably with the White Poplar.
    130255.jpg
  • Grey Poplar Populus x canescens (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 37m <br />
Stable hybrid between White Poplar and Aspen. When fully mature, grows into an impressively large tree with a good solid bole. In spring the tree has a whitish appearance when the wind displaces the leaves, but it is not as brilliantly white as the White Poplar. BARK Whitish with diamond-shaped fissures. LEAVES Rounded to oval and toothed with regular blunt, forward-pointing teeth; borne on long petioles. Leaf upper surface is glossy grey-green and lower surface is covered with a greyish-white felt. By mid- to late summer the leaves lose some of the white felt and the tree looks greyer. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins are borne on separate trees. Fe¬male trees with green, pendulous catkins are rare. Male catkins are elongated and pendulous, giving whole tree a purplish col¬our when they swell before opening in spring. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mainland Europe and introduced into Britain very early, probably with the White Poplar.
    130239.jpg
  • MAN ORCHID Aceras anthropophorum (Orchidaceae) Height to 30cm. Intriguing and distinctive orchid of calcareous grassland and scrub. FLOWERS are fancifully man-like, with a pronounced green hood (comprising sepals and upper petals) an elongated, 4-lobed lip (12-15mm long) and a spur; borne in tall, dense spikes (May-Jun). FRUITS form and swell at base of flowers. LEAVES are oval, fresh green and form a basal rosette, and sheath the lower part of the flowering stem. STATUS-Local, and restricted to SE England, where it occurs as isolated colonies.
    140023.jpg
  • WHITE HELLEBORINE Cephalanthera damasonium (Orchidaceae) Height to 50cm. Attractive orchid of woods and scrub on calcareous soils, often under beech (Fagus sylvatica). FLOWERS are 15-20mm long, creamy white, bell-shaped and partially open; each has a leafy bract and they are borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES are broad and oval at the base, but become smaller up the stem. STATUS-Locally common in S England only.
    139932.jpg
  • FROG ORCHID Coeloglossum viride (Orchidaceae) Height to 20cm. A short and compact orchid, mostly found on calcareous grassland. FLOWERS are fancifully frog-like; the sepals and upper petals form a greenish hood and the lip is 6-8mm long and yellowish-brown; the flowers are borne in an open spike (Jun-Aug). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES are broad, oval and form a basal rosette, with narrower leaves partially sheathing the lower part of the stem. STATUS-Widespread and locally common on chalk downs in the S, and N upland pastures.
    131639.jpg
  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
    131618.jpg
  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
    131458.jpg
  • PYRAMIDAL ORCHID Anacamptis pyramidalis (Orchidaceae) Height to 30cm. An attractive orchid of dry grassland and usually associated with calcareous soils and stabilised sand dunes. FLOWERS are deep pink and have a 3-lobed lip and a long spur; they are borne in dense, conical or domed flower heads (Jun-Aug). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES are grey-green, lanceolate and usually carried upright, partially sheathing the flower stem. STATUS-Locally common in parts of England, Wales and Ireland but commonest in the SE.
    131336.jpg
  • LESSER BUTTERFLY-ORCHID Platanthera bifolia (Orchidaceae) Height to 40cm. Attractive orchid of undisturbed grassland, moors and open woodland, on a wide range of soil types. FLOWERS are greenish white with a long, narrow lip, a long spur (25-30mm) and pollen sacs that are parallel; borne in open spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise a pair of large oval leaves at the base and much smaller scale-like leaves up the stem. STATUS-Widespread but local.
    131215.jpg
  • GREATER BUTTERFLY-ORCHID Platanthera chlorantha (Orchidaceae) Height to 50cm. Tall and elegant orchid of undisturbed woodland, scrub and grassland, mostly on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are greenish white with a long, narrow lip, a long spur (15-25mm) and pollen sacs that form an inverted ‘v’; borne in open spikes (Jun-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise a single pair at the base of the plant and a few smaller stem leaves. STATUS-Widespread but local.
    131101.jpg
  • FRAGRANT ORCHID Gymnadenia conopsea (Orchidaceae) Height to 40cm. A robust and relatively tall orchid that is associated with both damp and dry grassland; it does best on calcareous soils or flushes, and often occurs in rather dense colonies. FLOWERS are extremely fragrant and typically pink, although a spike’s colour can vary from almost white to deep purple. Individual flowers have a 3-lobed lip and a long spur; they are borne in dense, cylindrical spikes (up to 15cm tall) (Jun-Aug). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES are rather short and most are found at the base of the plant; a few, very narrow leaves are borne up the stem. STATUS-Widespread and locally common; most frequent in the S and SE.
    123451.jpg
  • FROG ORCHID Dacylorhiza viridis  (Orchidaceae) Height to 20cm. A short and compact orchid, mostly found on calcareous grassland. FLOWERS are fancifully frog-like; the sepals and upper petals form a greenish hood and the lip is 6-8mm long and yellowish-brown; the flowers are borne in an open spike (Jun-Aug). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES are broad, oval and form a basal rosette, with narrower leaves partially sheathing the lower part of the stem. STATUS-Widespread and locally common on chalk downs in the S, and N upland pastures.
    143398.jpg
  • WHITE HELLEBORINE Cephalanthera damasonium (Orchidaceae) Height to 50cm. Attractive orchid of woods and scrub on calcareous soils, often under beech (Fagus sylvatica). FLOWERS are 15-20mm long, creamy white, bell-shaped and partially open; each has a leafy bract and they are borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES are broad and oval at the base, but become smaller up the stem. STATUS-Locally common in S England only.
    156685.jpg
  • GOOSEBERRY Ribes uva-crispa (Grossulariaceae) Height to 1m. Deciduous shrub with spiny stems. Found in woodlands and hedgerows. FLOWERS are up to 1cm across, yellowish and borne in clusters (Mar-May). FRUITS are green and hairy, eventually swelling to form familiar gooseberries. LEAVES are rounded and irregularly lobed. STATUS-Widespread and fairly common native plant; also widely naturalised.
    131357.jpg
  • GOOSEBERRY Ribes uva-crispa (Grossulariaceae) Height to 1m. Deciduous shrub with spiny stems. Found in woodlands and hedgerows. FLOWERS are up to 1cm across, yellowish and borne in clusters (Mar-May). FRUITS are green and hairy, eventually swelling to form familiar gooseberries. LEAVES are rounded and irregularly lobed. STATUS-Widespread and fairly common native plant; also widely naturalised.
    130673.jpg