This extraordinary flower is almost identical to children's
cartoon character Shrek - with its green 'skin', horns and brown
waistcoat.
The rare orchid looks as if it is giving a huge grin with
outstretched arms, just like the misanthropic ogre who reveals a
secret soft side in the beloved film series.
The flower, called Ophrys Apifera or bee orchid, was pictured
in Spain by British photographer David Chapman.
The university lecturer from Cornwall caught sight of the
remarkable flower while out walking through the
Pyrenees.
The 48-year-old, who is also a wildlife photographer and
writer, spotted the orchid in a book years ago and had been hoping
to see one for real ever since.
'This is a very special species of flower, I remember having
seen them in my wildflower guidebooks and longed to see one in the
flesh,' he said.
'When I first saw one I was amazed by how clever their
mimicry is and how beautiful the flowers are.
'Despite the bee orchid being very colourful it is extremely
difficult to spot because it is tall and thin and grows amongst
tall grasses.'
Original: Like the orchid, Shrek boasts green skin, horns, an open
mouth and a brown waistcoat
David has also snapped the orchids in the UK - although they
are harder to find here.
He said: 'The quirkiest location I have photographed them is
on a roundabout on the A30 near Hayle in Cornwall.
'It is thought that they grow there because their seeds were
imported when soil was brought in to make the road
embankments.
'I've never found bee orchids in the UK without prior
knowledge, as they are quite rare - but I have found them on the
north coast of Spain.'
The flower gets its name from its resemblance to a bumblebee,
which is thought to entice insects to land on it and transfer its
pollen to other plants.