Dr Richard Bate
@thenewgalaxy.bsky.social
That guy who found a ghost #orchid
Botanist with particular interest in British & European #Orchids. Tour leader for Mariposa Nature and member of #Wildflowerhour team
Have placed #dental implants since 2009, favouring Southern site-specific systems
Botanist with particular interest in British & European #Orchids. Tour leader for Mariposa Nature and member of #Wildflowerhour team
Have placed #dental implants since 2009, favouring Southern site-specific systems
Reposted by Dr Richard Bate
Sorting out old photos, including these from Easter 2019 in Sicily (which was colder than the UK!). Orchis brancifortii, Orchis italica, Neotinea lactea, Serapias vomeracea all from the stupendously rich turf between Trapani and Zingaro, NW Sicily. @europeanorchids.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Sorting out old photos, including these from Easter 2019 in Sicily (which was colder than the UK!). Orchis brancifortii, Orchis italica, Neotinea lactea, Serapias vomeracea all from the stupendously rich turf between Trapani and Zingaro, NW Sicily. @europeanorchids.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Richard Bate
Pepperpot Earthstar Myriostoma coliforme at one of its very few GB locations. Pleasingly the scientific name means ‘like a colander with many holes’. Note also the columns that hold the sac aloft.
November 6, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Pepperpot Earthstar Myriostoma coliforme at one of its very few GB locations. Pleasingly the scientific name means ‘like a colander with many holes’. Note also the columns that hold the sac aloft.
Reposted by Dr Richard Bate
2025 British & Irish Botanical Conference #BIBConf25 takes place at Edge Hill University on Saturday 25 November.
We have a fabulous programme lined up for plant-lovers!
Exhibits & 8 talks inc. a keynote by Prof John Rodwell (of NVC fame).
Programme & bookings:
www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
We have a fabulous programme lined up for plant-lovers!
Exhibits & 8 talks inc. a keynote by Prof John Rodwell (of NVC fame).
Programme & bookings:
www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
Select tickets – British and Irish Botanical Conference 2025 – Health, Medicine and Social Care Building, Edge Hill University
British and Irish Botanical Conference 2025 – Health, Medicine and Social Care Building, Edge Hill University, Sat 29 Nov 2025 - Everyone is welcome at the 2025 British & Irish Botanical Conferenc...
www.tickettailor.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:34 PM
2025 British & Irish Botanical Conference #BIBConf25 takes place at Edge Hill University on Saturday 25 November.
We have a fabulous programme lined up for plant-lovers!
Exhibits & 8 talks inc. a keynote by Prof John Rodwell (of NVC fame).
Programme & bookings:
www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
We have a fabulous programme lined up for plant-lovers!
Exhibits & 8 talks inc. a keynote by Prof John Rodwell (of NVC fame).
Programme & bookings:
www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
Reposted by Dr Richard Bate
A fantastic haul of beautiful Waxcaps and associated grassland fungi at Felbrigg Hall in north #Norfolk with @waxcapscooch.bsky.social today. One of the top sites in the county.
November 13, 2025 at 6:01 PM
A fantastic haul of beautiful Waxcaps and associated grassland fungi at Felbrigg Hall in north #Norfolk with @waxcapscooch.bsky.social today. One of the top sites in the county.
Anacamptis morio has several subspecies across its European range; this is ssp caucasica from Rhodes
The vernacular name comes from the easily overlooked “Green Wings” on the inside of the hood but its botanical name “morio” means “fool” and references the bright colours associated with a clown
The vernacular name comes from the easily overlooked “Green Wings” on the inside of the hood but its botanical name “morio” means “fool” and references the bright colours associated with a clown
Good mourning!
Here's a busy little mourning bee in Rhodes, with Green-winged Orchids on its mind.
#orchids
Here's a busy little mourning bee in Rhodes, with Green-winged Orchids on its mind.
#orchids
November 13, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Anacamptis morio has several subspecies across its European range; this is ssp caucasica from Rhodes
The vernacular name comes from the easily overlooked “Green Wings” on the inside of the hood but its botanical name “morio” means “fool” and references the bright colours associated with a clown
The vernacular name comes from the easily overlooked “Green Wings” on the inside of the hood but its botanical name “morio” means “fool” and references the bright colours associated with a clown
Reposted by Dr Richard Bate
Our flagship Orchids of Rhodes tour, the ultimate exploration of the island's orchids, provides lots of inspiration for our guests & leaders alike!
The 2027 tour with Jon & @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social as your friendly, knowledgeable leaders is already half-full...
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
The 2027 tour with Jon & @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social as your friendly, knowledgeable leaders is already half-full...
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
November 11, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Our flagship Orchids of Rhodes tour, the ultimate exploration of the island's orchids, provides lots of inspiration for our guests & leaders alike!
The 2027 tour with Jon & @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social as your friendly, knowledgeable leaders is already half-full...
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
The 2027 tour with Jon & @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social as your friendly, knowledgeable leaders is already half-full...
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Reposted by Dr Richard Bate
Croajingalong orchids - Slender sun orchid (Thelymitra pauciflora) and large duck orchid (Caleana major) flowering together in open grassland surrounded by sundews and trigger plants. Croajingalong National Park, East Gippsland, VIC.
#orchids #inthefield #ozplants #spring
#orchids #inthefield #ozplants #spring
November 4, 2025 at 6:23 AM
Croajingalong orchids - Slender sun orchid (Thelymitra pauciflora) and large duck orchid (Caleana major) flowering together in open grassland surrounded by sundews and trigger plants. Croajingalong National Park, East Gippsland, VIC.
#orchids #inthefield #ozplants #spring
#orchids #inthefield #ozplants #spring
Reposted by Dr Richard Bate
Since we started doing #NoMowMay in 2020, I’ve been hoping for an orchid to pop up in my lawn. But I’ll take two Pink Waxcap (Porpolomopsis calyptriformis)!
AKA Ballerina Waxcap… of course they are 🩰
#MushroomMonday #fungi #mushroom
AKA Ballerina Waxcap… of course they are 🩰
#MushroomMonday #fungi #mushroom
November 3, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Since we started doing #NoMowMay in 2020, I’ve been hoping for an orchid to pop up in my lawn. But I’ll take two Pink Waxcap (Porpolomopsis calyptriformis)!
AKA Ballerina Waxcap… of course they are 🩰
#MushroomMonday #fungi #mushroom
AKA Ballerina Waxcap… of course they are 🩰
#MushroomMonday #fungi #mushroom
3/11/25 Cumbria - I've historically disregarded the excitement associated with descriptions of white forms of Ballerina #Waxcap (Porpolomopsis calyptriformis f. nivalis) because they often fade with time
Well that all changed today, this pair of fresh examples almost completely lacking color
Well that all changed today, this pair of fresh examples almost completely lacking color
November 3, 2025 at 7:02 PM
3/11/25 Cumbria - I've historically disregarded the excitement associated with descriptions of white forms of Ballerina #Waxcap (Porpolomopsis calyptriformis f. nivalis) because they often fade with time
Well that all changed today, this pair of fresh examples almost completely lacking color
Well that all changed today, this pair of fresh examples almost completely lacking color
Halloween aside, I don’t long too much for spooky encounters but finding a Ghost #Orchid here in the UK was one I craved for over three decades
October 31, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Halloween aside, I don’t long too much for spooky encounters but finding a Ghost #Orchid here in the UK was one I craved for over three decades
Reposted by Dr Richard Bate
I don’t know about you but I’ve seen lots of fungi this week, shall we have a #WildFungiHour tomorrow for #WildFlowerHour & celebrate all those wonderful diverse grasslands that ‘flower’ in the autumn too! All the wild blooms that you’ve spotted in the last week are welcome too of course! See ALT ⬇️
October 25, 2025 at 4:09 PM
I don’t know about you but I’ve seen lots of fungi this week, shall we have a #WildFungiHour tomorrow for #WildFlowerHour & celebrate all those wonderful diverse grasslands that ‘flower’ in the autumn too! All the wild blooms that you’ve spotted in the last week are welcome too of course! See ALT ⬇️
Enjoying a long weekend away in the Derbyshire Dales and taking plenty of opportunities to check out the Grassland #Fungi round here! #Waxcaps and Spindles galore, and many other #chegd beauties too! Thoroughly enjoying the #WildFungiHour
October 26, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Enjoying a long weekend away in the Derbyshire Dales and taking plenty of opportunities to check out the Grassland #Fungi round here! #Waxcaps and Spindles galore, and many other #chegd beauties too! Thoroughly enjoying the #WildFungiHour
Reposted by Dr Richard Bate
🧵 This is a 2,000y old Celtic gold boat from Ireland. It’s my talisman as an artist. The proportions & curves inform my work, as does the design & art ideas of my ancestors, who arrived here 2,500y ago.
You can see my one-off ink on paper drawings if you scroll down this thread. Colour matters! [1]
You can see my one-off ink on paper drawings if you scroll down this thread. Colour matters! [1]
October 15, 2025 at 5:16 PM
🧵 This is a 2,000y old Celtic gold boat from Ireland. It’s my talisman as an artist. The proportions & curves inform my work, as does the design & art ideas of my ancestors, who arrived here 2,500y ago.
You can see my one-off ink on paper drawings if you scroll down this thread. Colour matters! [1]
You can see my one-off ink on paper drawings if you scroll down this thread. Colour matters! [1]
Reposted by Dr Richard Bate
With another place secured by a guest yesterday, our Orchids of Rhodes tour now moves to being a guaranteed departure in 2027.
The ultimate #orchid tour of Rhodes, with leaders @dunnjons.bsky.social & @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social, may be 18 months away, but it's starting to fill up already!
The ultimate #orchid tour of Rhodes, with leaders @dunnjons.bsky.social & @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social, may be 18 months away, but it's starting to fill up already!
October 14, 2025 at 6:02 AM
With another place secured by a guest yesterday, our Orchids of Rhodes tour now moves to being a guaranteed departure in 2027.
The ultimate #orchid tour of Rhodes, with leaders @dunnjons.bsky.social & @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social, may be 18 months away, but it's starting to fill up already!
The ultimate #orchid tour of Rhodes, with leaders @dunnjons.bsky.social & @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social, may be 18 months away, but it's starting to fill up already!
4/10/25 #Madeira - Madeira Chaffinch (Fringilla maderensis) taking a bath in a levada. Known as “tentilhão” this #bird is #endemic to this wonderful island, and is not found anywhere else is Macaronesia. My good friend @dunnjons.bsky.social standing to my right!
October 5, 2025 at 8:49 AM
4/10/25 #Madeira - Madeira Chaffinch (Fringilla maderensis) taking a bath in a levada. Known as “tentilhão” this #bird is #endemic to this wonderful island, and is not found anywhere else is Macaronesia. My good friend @dunnjons.bsky.social standing to my right!
Reposted by Dr Richard Bate
It’s not all been about orchids this past 24 hours in Madeira - @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social and I have been enjoying all the wildlife. Ferns, fungi, lichen, birds and, of course, butterflies. Yesterday we met some box-fresh Long-tailed Blue.
October 5, 2025 at 8:32 AM
It’s not all been about orchids this past 24 hours in Madeira - @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social and I have been enjoying all the wildlife. Ferns, fungi, lichen, birds and, of course, butterflies. Yesterday we met some box-fresh Long-tailed Blue.
Reposted by Dr Richard Bate
One of the very best days, #orchid -hunting with my good mate and fellow @mariposanature.bsky.social leader @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social in Madeira. We found over 20 flowering plants of European über-rarity, Goodyera macrophylla. A day of amazing plants, great company, good laughs, and muddy boots!
October 4, 2025 at 8:08 PM
One of the very best days, #orchid -hunting with my good mate and fellow @mariposanature.bsky.social leader @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social in Madeira. We found over 20 flowering plants of European über-rarity, Goodyera macrophylla. A day of amazing plants, great company, good laughs, and muddy boots!
4/10/25 - There are always great #orchids to be seen in #Orctober but you have to put yourself out there to find them!
Goodyera macrophylla is an endemic of #Madeira and one you have to put a real shift in for! Joined by my good friend @dunnjons.bsky.social every step of the way #teamorchid
Goodyera macrophylla is an endemic of #Madeira and one you have to put a real shift in for! Joined by my good friend @dunnjons.bsky.social every step of the way #teamorchid
October 4, 2025 at 8:05 PM
4/10/25 - There are always great #orchids to be seen in #Orctober but you have to put yourself out there to find them!
Goodyera macrophylla is an endemic of #Madeira and one you have to put a real shift in for! Joined by my good friend @dunnjons.bsky.social every step of the way #teamorchid
Goodyera macrophylla is an endemic of #Madeira and one you have to put a real shift in for! Joined by my good friend @dunnjons.bsky.social every step of the way #teamorchid
Reposted by Dr Richard Bate
Today seems like a good day for a ghost story... 🧵
The first Ghost Orchid to be recorded in Britain was found in July 1854 by Mrs Anderton Smith in Herefordshire. Not recognising it, she picked it, and it was sent away to be identified. (1/12)
(This image, from 1978, c/o A.Wake)
The first Ghost Orchid to be recorded in Britain was found in July 1854 by Mrs Anderton Smith in Herefordshire. Not recognising it, she picked it, and it was sent away to be identified. (1/12)
(This image, from 1978, c/o A.Wake)
October 31, 2023 at 11:03 AM
Today seems like a good day for a ghost story... 🧵
The first Ghost Orchid to be recorded in Britain was found in July 1854 by Mrs Anderton Smith in Herefordshire. Not recognising it, she picked it, and it was sent away to be identified. (1/12)
(This image, from 1978, c/o A.Wake)
The first Ghost Orchid to be recorded in Britain was found in July 1854 by Mrs Anderton Smith in Herefordshire. Not recognising it, she picked it, and it was sent away to be identified. (1/12)
(This image, from 1978, c/o A.Wake)
Reposted by Dr Richard Bate
So officially we’re In metro logical Autumn as of today , still going strong Painswick Golf Course Gloucestershire , Ladies-tresses @ukorchids.bsky.social @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social
September 1, 2025 at 4:13 PM
So officially we’re In metro logical Autumn as of today , still going strong Painswick Golf Course Gloucestershire , Ladies-tresses @ukorchids.bsky.social @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Richard Bate
Good morning & welcome to a new week!
Our featured tour this week is Orchids of Crete, led by our star orchid guide Dr Richard Bate. A guaranteed departure next April, like all our orchid tours it naturally generates a donation to support @bsbibotany.bsky.social.
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Our featured tour this week is Orchids of Crete, led by our star orchid guide Dr Richard Bate. A guaranteed departure next April, like all our orchid tours it naturally generates a donation to support @bsbibotany.bsky.social.
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
August 18, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Good morning & welcome to a new week!
Our featured tour this week is Orchids of Crete, led by our star orchid guide Dr Richard Bate. A guaranteed departure next April, like all our orchid tours it naturally generates a donation to support @bsbibotany.bsky.social.
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Our featured tour this week is Orchids of Crete, led by our star orchid guide Dr Richard Bate. A guaranteed departure next April, like all our orchid tours it naturally generates a donation to support @bsbibotany.bsky.social.
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Reposted by Dr Richard Bate
I photographed dwarf planet Pluto last night at a distance of 4.3 billion km from Stony Ridge Observatory. We just passed opposition, the closest we’ll get to Pluto all year. At apparent magnitude 14, Pluto should be detectable with modest backyard telescopes and #Astrophotography equipment.
August 15, 2025 at 1:59 AM
I photographed dwarf planet Pluto last night at a distance of 4.3 billion km from Stony Ridge Observatory. We just passed opposition, the closest we’ll get to Pluto all year. At apparent magnitude 14, Pluto should be detectable with modest backyard telescopes and #Astrophotography equipment.
Reposted by Dr Richard Bate
We just published a new issue of #BritishandIrishBotany, our Open Access online journal.
7 papers for you to enjoy inc Lady's-slipper orchid reintroductions; variation in Restharrows; a new Comfrey hybrid for UK; montane plants; sea-grapes new to Europe!
bsbipublicity.blogspot.com/2025/08/brit...
7 papers for you to enjoy inc Lady's-slipper orchid reintroductions; variation in Restharrows; a new Comfrey hybrid for UK; montane plants; sea-grapes new to Europe!
bsbipublicity.blogspot.com/2025/08/brit...
August 14, 2025 at 9:06 PM
We just published a new issue of #BritishandIrishBotany, our Open Access online journal.
7 papers for you to enjoy inc Lady's-slipper orchid reintroductions; variation in Restharrows; a new Comfrey hybrid for UK; montane plants; sea-grapes new to Europe!
bsbipublicity.blogspot.com/2025/08/brit...
7 papers for you to enjoy inc Lady's-slipper orchid reintroductions; variation in Restharrows; a new Comfrey hybrid for UK; montane plants; sea-grapes new to Europe!
bsbipublicity.blogspot.com/2025/08/brit...