The Write of My Life

I was out for a spin on my bike last week by the canal, when a purple flower caught my eye. It was growing where the grass had thinned out a bit. I stopped to look at it and used PlantNet to identify it. I thought it might be a pretty weed but it turned out to be an orchid! The Heath Spotted orchid, to be precise. I had not realised that there were orchids growing locally. I had heard they were in the Burren all right, but apparently, they like peaty, damp, acid soil. No shortage of that around Rathangan in Kildare! Once I knew what it was, I found myself looking out for it on the way home, and saw more of them, again growing where the grass was thinned out. When I got home, I double checked my orchid photo against the information on the wildflowersofireland.net site, and yes, it was correct.

On my next bike outing, I was prepared: I brought a magnifying glass! I wanted to be totally sure what I had identified. I wouldn’t want busloads of tourists arriving to Rathangan saying, We heard about the orchids and are here to see them. Then I might have to say, “Sorry, my bad, it was just a weed and I got mixed up because I had no glasses with me.” That wouldn’t be good for local tourism!

Anyway, I had a quick check that there was no one around and whipped out my magnifying glass. I was like Inspector Clouseau. Of course, a couple of people zipped past on bikes as I was squatting down inelegantly, peering at the plant. Typical. Anyway, it was definitely a heath spotted orchid so it was well worth the trouble to check. On closer inspection, it is really beautiful. It made me realise the value of taking the time to look closely at what is right here in front of us. When we slow down, become present and really look with attention, there are treasures to be found.