Fritillaria meleagris - Snakeshead Fritillary

We have Susan to thank for an opportunity grabbed with both hands this afternoon.

Her post on Snakeshead Fritillaries in flower prompted us to head for the Veron, the area in a triangle west of Chinon and between the rivers Loire and Vienne, to view them for ourselves.

This has become an annual event for us. In 2013 we went on 3rd April. Last year it was a good deal earlier - 14th March - and we were only just in time to see them as they had already begun to drop their petals. This year, with the cooler weather, we were leaving it a little while longer, until we read of Susan's sighting - and that decided us.

And we were not disappointed! We'll let the photos speak for themselves

 

 

Snakeshead Fritillary, the most elegant of wild flowers, were there in abundance, and what a fabulous sight to see in the glorious sunshine!

And then what did it do on our way home??

It hailed and sleeted!!

Snakeshead Fritillary

We have fellow blogger and friend Susan to thank for the wonderful afternoon we've just spent in the Veron, the area in a triangle west of Chinon and between the rivers Loire and Vienne.

The reason for our visit??

Within this triangle at this time of year can be seen the most amazing display of Snakeshead Fritillary, ranging in colour from the deepest reds..

to subtle shades of creamy pink,

Each one has the distinctive chequerboard pattern and the most elegant form..

We could have stayed forever...

In a couple of weeks their flowering will be over, but at least we've got a few photos to look back on.