early purple orchids

this looks like the pink version of the early purple orchid that is flourishing along the A388 at present
this is a good side view of the flower, with two sepals folded up behind the main tube

cuckoo flower

and mum and her favourite rare double cuckoo flower, or may flower or lady's smock. May is accumen.

down by the river

this pretty little flower is pink purslane. I am not sure why it is called Purslane (? french porcelaine, latin portulaca) for shiny stems?

more lords

and ladies. See lords and ladies earlier at http://tamar-valley-life.blogspot.com/2006/04/lords-and-ladies.html

no wonder they used to laugh in medieval days.

speckled wood

not the fritillary but the speckled wood, a fairly common butterfly of woods in early Spring.

not always calm

these young mallards were very nervous, and no, I didn't chase them; we have our own ducks now back at the pond.