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Shunned by a stockman insulted Shunned by a stockman insulted
(2 months later)
It was time for my annual visit to my favourite swarm of orchids but, as usual, there were two concerns. One was the weather, because I always like to take my camera with me, and the other was where the fold (herd) of Highland cattle would be. I could wait for the right weather but the Highlanders, as I like to call them, were a different matter. Not because they are threatening at all, but because they would get in the way.It was time for my annual visit to my favourite swarm of orchids but, as usual, there were two concerns. One was the weather, because I always like to take my camera with me, and the other was where the fold (herd) of Highland cattle would be. I could wait for the right weather but the Highlanders, as I like to call them, were a different matter. Not because they are threatening at all, but because they would get in the way.
Then last week, when the weather was just right, I took the chance and went to the area of undulating heather moorland interspersed with marshy areas.Then last week, when the weather was just right, I took the chance and went to the area of undulating heather moorland interspersed with marshy areas.
Fortunately, the Highlanders were outside the fenced area, but the whole time I was there they stood watching me, which felt almost uncanny because they should be used to humans. In the past, when they have been on the orchid ground, they have never bothered me, although I had found it difficult to concentrate on the wildflowers.Fortunately, the Highlanders were outside the fenced area, but the whole time I was there they stood watching me, which felt almost uncanny because they should be used to humans. In the past, when they have been on the orchid ground, they have never bothered me, although I had found it difficult to concentrate on the wildflowers.
The commonest orchid of the six species that grow there is the fragrant orchid, but this time I concentrated on the most insignificant one, the much rarer small white orchid. How apt the name, as each of the cluster of flowers up the comparatively short stem is tiny, at only 2 to 3mm across. The flowers are creamy or greenish white and bell shaped. They are reputed to have a very delicate vanilla fragrance, but even when I laid down to sniff them, the smell did not register on me any more. Of all the orchids on the site, my favourite is the greater butterfly orchid, perhaps because I can still smell its sweet scent.The commonest orchid of the six species that grow there is the fragrant orchid, but this time I concentrated on the most insignificant one, the much rarer small white orchid. How apt the name, as each of the cluster of flowers up the comparatively short stem is tiny, at only 2 to 3mm across. The flowers are creamy or greenish white and bell shaped. They are reputed to have a very delicate vanilla fragrance, but even when I laid down to sniff them, the smell did not register on me any more. Of all the orchids on the site, my favourite is the greater butterfly orchid, perhaps because I can still smell its sweet scent.
As for the Highland cattle who watched me all the time, I recalled that some time ago the stockman had been taking them past our house to different grazing. I congratulated him on his successes at the recent Highland Show. Then commented that it was a pity that the cattle were not of the traditional colour, black. He did not speak to me for several weeks.As for the Highland cattle who watched me all the time, I recalled that some time ago the stockman had been taking them past our house to different grazing. I congratulated him on his successes at the recent Highland Show. Then commented that it was a pity that the cattle were not of the traditional colour, black. He did not speak to me for several weeks.
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