We have been watching a patch of orchid leaves for years. Each year they grow rich and green and full of promise, then curl up without flowering. We thought they looked like Bird Orchid leaves, as they showed up in that ‘bow-tie’ formation in a reasonable sized colony. This year, I am delighted to say, … Continue reading Autumn Wasp Orchid (Chiloglottis Reflexa)
Tag: Orchid
Plain-Lip Spider-orchid (Caladenia clacigera)
We primarily have Brown Clubbed Spider-orchids on our property, but in October 2017 I photographed this Plain-Lip Spider-orchid. Among a few straggly bracken stems, there were two Plain-lip Spider-orchids, squat and dark compared to the brightly coloured Brown-Clubbed Spider-orchids with their green combs. I missed the orchid season last year, so I don’t know if … Continue reading Plain-Lip Spider-orchid (Caladenia clacigera)
Ornate Pink Fingers (Caladenia ornata)
It’s always a good feeling to add a new plant to the species list, but it’s especially rewarding when it is a new orchid species for our property. I’ve been puzzling over the various types of Pink Fingers orchids for quite some time now, each year trying to take photos that lend themselves to identification. … Continue reading Ornate Pink Fingers (Caladenia ornata)
Tigers, Tigers, Tigers!
When I posted the photograph of the Early Nancy flowers, I lamented the lack of spring flowers – in particular, the Waxlips and Pink Fingers. Well, two days after I posted, the flowers began to appear. However, it has been so wet and windy, the opportunities to get out with a camera have been limited. … Continue reading Tigers, Tigers, Tigers!
Orchid Season Starts Again: Parsons Bands
Technically, the Parsons Bands Orchid emerge after the first heavy rains of Autumn. Well, we had a slight shower and here they are. At the moment the Orchids are only lightly scattered here and there, so I am hoping for a heavy downfall soon to encourage more. The photograph below was taken with my … Continue reading Orchid Season Starts Again: Parsons Bands
Golden Moth Orchid (Diuris chryseopsis)
It is always a pleasure to add a new orchid to my A-Z Native Species List. I found this Golden Moth Orchid growing in grass in a transitional zone between the native bushland and the cultivated area around the dam. As far as I could see, there was only one plant and it only lasted … Continue reading Golden Moth Orchid (Diuris chryseopsis)
A Second Pair of Eyes (or three, or four)
When I am showing a visitor around our property, I find the second pair of eyes (or three, or four) very helpful. We all notice different things. Last week, my visitors were very knowledgeable and I learned a lot from them. Over the next few weeks I will be adding a few plants to my A-Z Species List. … Continue reading A Second Pair of Eyes (or three, or four)
Inspired by the Ballarat Field Naturalists
A surprise invitation to accompany the Ballarat Field Naturalists on an orchid seeking field trip arrived in my inbox on Saturday. With a little rearranging, I was able to take up the offer, so on a beautifully sunny winter Sunday we set off to some local bushland. Thanks to John for inviting me and to … Continue reading Inspired by the Ballarat Field Naturalists
Wild Flower Hunting for Beginners: Ten Tips
Although it still only May, the wild flowers around the property are starting to grow. Small-Mosquito Orchids are flowering again; I see Climbing Sundews and Twining Fringe-lily stems winding around Bracken; the Guinea Flower and native Pea bushes are greening up and many other signs of the wildflowers to come are emerging after the recent … Continue reading Wild Flower Hunting for Beginners: Ten Tips
Autumn Wild Flower Walks (8 photos)
It is finally beginning to feel like Autumn, even though technically, it has been for a few weeks. Over the past few days I have been noticing many familiar wild flowers beginning to grow. This post shows a few of the plants I have come across this week. Some are just setting leaves, and will flower later … Continue reading Autumn Wild Flower Walks (8 photos)
Our 25th Orchid Species: Rosy Hyacinth-orchid (Dipodium roseum)
To celebrate the New Year, I’m posting the 25th Australian Terrestrial Orchid species found growing wild on our land – the Rosy Hyacinth Orchid. Unlike many of the other Orchids we have here, the Hyacinth-Orchid is large and showy. They can grow up to 1m tall. As the name suggests, they have a brown leafless stem … Continue reading Our 25th Orchid Species: Rosy Hyacinth-orchid (Dipodium roseum)
Short Sun Orchid (Thelymitra exigua)
The centre of this Short Sun Orchid almost seems to have teeth shown in a gasp of horror! It makes me smile because it is both beautiful and humorous in a charming way. I like the way the colour in the lobes fades toward the centre of the flower. I would like to tell you more … Continue reading Short Sun Orchid (Thelymitra exigua)
Orchid Colonies
Some Australian Terrestrial Orchids grow in colonies, and this year we are fortunate to have a couple of reasonably good-sized ones. After photographing the solitary Waxlip Orchid the other day, I thought I would try to find more Waxlip Orchids yesterday, but only found two more. Last year we had so many of these. I … Continue reading Orchid Colonies
Our First Spring Waxlip Orchid
It would be remiss of me to overlook the first Waxlip Orchid of Spring, which we saw yesterday afternoon. Last year, we had many Waxlip Orchids, so I hope this is just the first of many.
Calling Orchid Enthusiasts: Help Please!
In an earlier post I reported that I had found one solitary Maroonhood Orchid. Since then, I’ve discovered three small colonies. However, I’m unsure if one of these colonies is the same species, or a sub-species. Can anyone help me to correctly identify it from the photographs below? I have spent quite a bit of time … Continue reading Calling Orchid Enthusiasts: Help Please!
Maroonhood (Pterostylis pedunculata)
It felt like a Spring day today, even though it is still Winter in Australia. The sun was shining, the air was still, and all around me I could hear the calls of a myriad bird species. Knowing I could probably have taken some good bird photographs if I had changed lenses, I stuck to … Continue reading Maroonhood (Pterostylis pedunculata)
Here they come! Orchid Buds
It’s exciting to see the new season orchids beginning to bud. Here are some that I’ve found this week.
Is this a Helmet Orchid Bud?
I’m calling on my knowledgeable friends here. Thanks to some extremely helpful advice from Mary McAvoy (see her blog here) I was able to photograph this tiny orchid reasonably clearly. I’m not sure, but I think it may be a Helmet Orchid. Can anyone verify this? The leaves are the same size as the Small … Continue reading Is this a Helmet Orchid Bud?
Western Bronzehood Orchid (Caladenia iridescens)
Commonly referred to as a Bronze Caladenia, this tiny orchid is difficult to spot. It really blends into the background! However, we were lucky enough to find a couple that were flowering toward the end of October. According to David L Jones “Native Orchids of Australia” the blooms only last from two to five … Continue reading Western Bronzehood Orchid (Caladenia iridescens)
Pink Fingers: Australian Native Orchid (Caladenia carnea)
Today I was finally able to go out looking for native flowers again. I’ve had a busy few days, and when I was ready to take a break, it was raining. Over the three days, many more Waxlip Orchids have opened. I found these distributed throughout the bushland, with some patches and some solitary plants. … Continue reading Pink Fingers: Australian Native Orchid (Caladenia carnea)
Gnat Orchid
On the same day I photographed the Waxlip Orchid, I also managed to get some clearer photographs of the Gnat Orchid. This Orchid is so hard to see. It is so tiny, the stems are slimmer than a blade of grass, and brownish purple. i was so lucky to be with people who knew what … Continue reading Gnat Orchid
More orchids in flower
It is amazing how much more I can see when I have a knowledgeable guide to point out the tiny Australian Native Orchids in flower. I must have walked past some of the tiny mosquito orchids hundreds of times without noticing they were in flower. My friend B.J., who is an orchid enthusiast visited today, … Continue reading More orchids in flower
Nodding Greenhoods Are Emerging
It’s fantastic to see the Nodding Greenhoods emerging again. This was the first species of Australian Native Orchid I had ever seen. When we first moved in they were flowering, in large patches right across our property. Hopefully they will do the same this year, but so far we have a few scattered along … Continue reading Nodding Greenhoods Are Emerging
Fifteen Acres 