 Variations I suppose many of us take this amazing flower for granted. Growing up with it, never quite endeers us to believing it is an important botanical phenomenon quite as important as a rainforest. However, there is no doubt that over the past 7 years or so, the OFC has levied its fair share of blubell related postings. A quick browse of the site shows that our floral friend has cropped up well over 400 times in discussion and ignites a passion amongst the membership that might make you think we'd found gold in them there fells!
In the last few years, the native blubell has become hybridised with the gradual spread of the Spanish variety, but in more remote locations such as Rannerdale in north-western Lakeland, the indigineous species is still to the fore. In other locations there is evidence of a hybrid where cross fertilsation has occurred. Although the hybrids and Spanish varieties are still lovely, they are morphologically different and show obvious colour differences. There is no mistaking the true British species. Occasionally you do find white bluebells amongst their blue sisters which apparently is a result of a gene deficiency in the colour shop! There are many links to member's sites above where you can see the Bluebells at first hand in their native environment. from as far afield as Kent, Hampshire, Scotland and of course The Lake District. If you want to find out botanical information there are also related sites above. The latter part of this article showcases contributions submitted by OFC members. The photographs have been personally selected for different reasons, some because of their geographical location, others their colour as seen in a larger colony and others because of the delicate nature of the plant at close quarters. Whatever your reasons for viewing this page, I think you'll agree that the bluebell really is one of our treasure of natural history and something worthy of our respect. I for one hope to continue to experience this display of floral majesty. I would like to close by thanking all thos who contributed their images and allowed them to be published via the OFC for the benefit of us all. I hope you can support these photographers by at least visiting their photographic sites which are listed above. Bluebells of the OFC - Click on the images for a larger version: Index (in alphabetical order) 1 - Jill Batchelor. King's Wood, Kent
2 - Dave Dimmock. Bolton Abbey.
3 - Helmut Hudler. Rannerdale, Cumbria.
4 - Frances Lawrie. Linlithgow, Scotland
5 - Andrew Leaney. Rannerale, Cumbria
6 - Pam Long. Hertfordshire (April 2009)
7 - Jill Rowland. Nut Wood near Wauldby in East Yorkshire, fairly close to the Wold's Way footpath.
8 - Ian Smith. Outside Cromford, just yards from the A6 at High Peak Junction.
9 - Barry Wakelin. Micheldelver, Hampshire. A big thanks to everyone who contributed to this Bluebell celebration!
Please feel free to submit photographs in the future as you collect your own images both in Lakeland and elsewhere.
I see you are after bluebell pictures. Its hard for me to choose just one picture really but the one I've attached is one that's been on our desktop for the last couple of weeks. Jill Batchelor
 King's Wood, Kent. Location - Farnhill Wood by the Leeds Liverpool Canal between Skipton and Silsden. David Dimmock
 Photo: Dave Dimmock
 Whitebells!  Rannderdale Bluebell  Framed by Grasmoor  Grasmoor from Rannerdale These bluebells are in my back garden so maybe a cheat! Frances Lawrie (They're still lovely. Ed.)
 Hybrid or Spanish? Anne and I managed to get out walking this weekend and today visited Rannerdale to see the bluebells. Andrew Leaney
 Rannerdale These photos were taken at different woodland locations in Hertfordshire. Pam Long
 Hertfordshire Bluebells  Macro shot They have been glorious this year, if only the camera could capture the scent too! The photos were taken in Nut Wood near Wauldby in East Yorkshire, fairly close to the Wold's Way footpath. Jill Rowland
 In Nut Wood  Nut Wood and the bluebells  Orange Tip butterfly I enclose a piccie of a hillside of Bluebells taken over two years ago. The geographical location was outside Cromford, just yards from the A6 at High Peak Junction. Ian Smith
 Near Cromford on the A6 This photograph was taken in Micheldever Woods, Hampshire on 28th April this year. We have had the best photographic conditions since 2004 with mist and sunshine on a couple of mornings. This image was captured using a Mamiya 7II medium format film camera with a 150mm lens usingKodak E200 transparency film. Barry Wakelin
 Micheldelver, Hampshire. |
