Three weeks ago, I went for a walk, not expecting anything out of the ordinary. But nature had a surprise for me! I spotted the first orchid of the year—a moment that instantly felt like the true beginning of spring...in February!!

As I kept looking, I found not just one but several species in bloom. Among them were:

Orchis mascula
early-purple-orchid – with its striking purple flowers standing out against the greenery

Himantoglossum robertianum
Giant orchid (Salepeira-grande) – a robust and impressive species, one of the earliest to bloom

Ophrys tenthredinifera
sawfly orchid (erva-abelhão) - a delicate and fascinating orchid, mimicking insects to attract pollinators

Ophrys fusca
sombre bee-orchid/ dark bee-orchid (Abelheira-parda) - with its dark, velvety flowers that resemble female bees, tricking male pollinators into aiding its reproduction

Here I was capturing these beautiful flowers with my smartphone

There’s nothing quite like the excitement of spotting the first orchids of the year—it’s a clear sign that spring is unfolding around us!

Have you noticed any early signs of spring in your area? Let me know in the comments!