Paul Murphy Out and About

Far too many hobbies; photography, painting and drawing, sculpture, growing Bonsai. Lifelong interest in wildlife particularly birdwatching.
Olympus OM1

[Paul Murphy Out and About @murphy_about]

Not a great photo but nice to see a female Duke of Burgundy laying an egg under a Cowslip leaf.

[Paul Murphy Out and About @murphy_about]

@pam_mcinnes @TempleBalsall I saw two males and a female, but other areas usually productive had none.

[Paul Murphy Out and About @murphy_about]

I try to get to my local Duke of Burgundy site every year in May. Subjectively fewer on the wing this year but this splendid male was holding territory against all comers.

[Paul Murphy Out and About @murphy_about]

On a recent trip to Ireland there were a few Irish Marsh orchids Daclylorhiza occidentalis, coming into flower.

[Dr Richard Bate @thenewgalaxy]

31/5/26 - It has been a joy to lead our annual #OrchidsOfKent tour alongside @dunnjons. My highlight was catching #pseudocopulation in action for the second year running; this time a Eucera bee on a Late Spider #Orchid (Ophrys fuciflora). For the #wildflowerhour #OrchidChallenge

[Sheep’s Head Nature @SHeadbirder]

One of my local Man orchids today. I saw none last year in the drought conditions. #wildflowerhour #OrchidChallenge

[Sheep’s Head Nature @SHeadbirder]

Greater Butterfly-orchid in the Cotswolds this morning. #orchids

[Steve Nikols @nikols_steve]

Made tracks by train and tram to Hutchinson’s Bank, south-east London, yesterday. Small number of Glanville Fritillary very active in the heat, but occasionally stopping for a photo. @BC_Surrey @savebutterflies

[Sheep’s Head Nature @SHeadbirder]

A stunning fresh Adonis Blue on Bourton Downs this morning.
@savebutterflies

[Sheep’s Head Nature @SHeadbirder]

A beautiful female Adonis Blue seen on my dog walk this morning. @savebutterflies

[Sheep’s Head Nature @SHeadbirder]

A pristine Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary in the Wyre Forest this morning. @savebutterflies

[Sheep’s Head Nature @SHeadbirder]

It’s been a good year for Sword-leaved helleborine in my locality with over 30 spikes in the 2 areas of the wood. They are now starting to go over, and here’s hoping next year will be as good. #orchids

[Dr Richard Bate @thenewgalaxy]

26/5/25 #Cumbria - The Sword Leaved Helleborine (Cephalanthera longifolia) is a fabulous #orchid but sadly a rather rare one that's heavily threatened in the British Isles. Hotter than today's weather, these magnificent plants were an absolute joy to behold #wildflowerhour

[Dr Richard Bate @thenewgalaxy]

24/5/26 #Cumbria - Hundreds of Fly #Orchids sitting pretty in the sunshine at this disused limestone quarry site on Morecambe Bay #wildflowerhour

[Paul Murphy Out and About @murphy_about]

@SHeadbirder Real beauties. Nice photo.

[Sheep’s Head Nature @SHeadbirder]

White Helleborine just coming into flower this morning in the north Cotswolds. #orchids

[Paul Murphy Out and About @murphy_about]

@SHeadbirder Nice pic.

[Sheep’s Head Nature @SHeadbirder]

Thrift on Sherkin Island this week. #wildflowerhour

[Sheep’s Head Nature @SHeadbirder]

Seaside Pansy - Viola tricolor subsp. Curtsii at Barley Cove today #wildflowerhour

[Paul Murphy Out and About @murphy_about]

Whimbrel, Barley Cove, Mizen head today. There were half a dozen of them among the dune slacks.