Bee Orchids

'Bee Orchids' is a wood engraving that is based on a particular location on the Suffolk coast.

This is a place where I have been monitoring a small group of bee orchids for a few years. They are on a cliff-top which is retreating due to erosion, and the number of plants is dwindling.

Bee orchids get their name because the flowers resemble bees - they are certainly among my favourite wild flowers in Britain. I have also included a group of sand martins which nest in the sandy cliffs at the same location. Out at sea, there is an old fishing smack under sail.

The image measures 100 x 75 mm with generous margins. The block was engraved by hand and printed onto smooth, off-white acid free paper using my Victorian Albion handpress.