Well I have finally decided to take the leap and record my orchid travels, discoveries and photos in a BLOG so that others may choose to join in my adventures, looking for what I feel are an amazing family of flowering plants that have so many varieties, colours, shapes and sizes that one can not help but be amazed by them. In Western Australia there are two distinct areas that native orchids are found. The South West of Western Australia and in the north starting in the Kimberley. My BLOG will focus on the South West terrestrial orchids due to the massive size of my home state of Western Australia.
Orchidaceae is the family name in scientific speak however I will be using the common name of “Orchid” in my posts. In Western Australia the South West orchid territory ranges from Shark Bay in the Midwest on a diagonal line to Kalgoorlie in the Goldfields and eastwards to Eyre on the Nullarbor plain including the entire South West, Great Southern, South Coastal and Wheatbelt regions.
In this Southern region 28 different genera and over 400 species are found with many yet to be formally named, so as you can imagine tracking down all of these will provide years of adventures for me to fill up my BLOG.
Please note I am a self-taught amateur in Orchid location, Orchid identification and Orchid photography so I would ask for your understanding if I may get it wrong, and would appreciate your feedback, notes and comments to help this little BLOG grow and develop just as my wonderful Orchids do in this great state of Western Australia.
We awake to a cold morning however the sun is shining so it will be a great last day of our 2020 Road Trip. First up we check out the spider orchid we found in the fading light yesterday.
Hamersley Inlet
Western wispy spider orchid
(Caladenia microchila)
Camper packed up and time to move on. We get as far as 4 Mile Beach campground before we stop and have a scout around. We only find a few Pterostylis orchids.
4 Mile Beach
Ravensthorpe snail orchid or Coastal snail orchid
(Pterostylis grossa or P. sp. “coastal snail”)
We head into Hopetoun for a bite to eat. Our next point of call is just north of the South Coast Hwy, and is a favourite of ours. We again find a few orchids for our troubles.
Mills Road
Zebra orchid
(Caladenia cairnsiana)
??? hybrid spider orchid
(Caladenia x sp.)
Small mantis orchid
(Caladenia attingens subsp. gracillima)
Cream spider orchid
(Caladenia horistes)
3 orchid species and a hybrid is not a bad haul, however we must keep moving towards home. First up though we stop at the Munglinup Roadhouse for a burger lunch. Driving in we discover some orchids on the roadside, so I jump out to get some photos and Deb heads down to order lunch.
Munglinup Townsite
Esperance white spider orchid
(Caladenia longicauda subsp. crassa)
Common bee orchid
(Diuris decrementa)
Lunch purchased, we move on to Munglinup Nature Reserve to eat and explore.
Zebra orchid
(Caladenia cairnsiana)
Cowslip orchid
(Caladenia flava subsp. flava)
Common bee orchid
(Diuris decrementa)
Esperance white spider orchid
(Caladenia longicauda subsp. crassa)
Jug orchid
(Pterostylis recurva)
Five species found, so happy we made to time to explore the area. We now move on to revisit a location we checked out on Day 1 of this road trip. Lets see if there is anything different now flowering.
Springdale Nature Reserve
??? hybrid spider orchid
(Caladenia x sp.)
Red beaks
(Pyrorchis nigricans)
?? donkey orchid
(Diuris sp.)
??? hybrid spider orchid
(Caladenia x sp.)
Reaching spider orchid
(Caladenia arrecta)
Blue beard
(Pheladenia deformis)
Common bee orchid
(Diuris decrementa)
Esperance white spider orchid
Caladenia longicauda subsp. crassa)
Pink bunny orchid
(Eriochilus scaber subsp. scaber)
Esperance king spider orchid
(Caladenia decora)
Since it is after 3 pm and we still have more than 100kms to home, we decide to leave our orchid exploration at this fruitful location. The hour long drive was a great time to look back on our awesome road trip that started back on the 8th August. The Wheatbelt Way was a great loop that opened up the amazing Western Australian countryside.
Over the 3 weeks on the road we discovered many new locations as well as re-visiting favourite spots. So many orchid species were located along with numerous hybrids which was a pleasant surprise.
A much earlier start to the day as we did not need to wait for the camper to dry out. We arrive at our first location by 8.30am and explore widely this time, as we have had quick visits on other occasions.
Chirelillup Nature Reserve
Green spider orchid
(Caladenia falcata)
Frog greenhood
(Pterostylis sargentii)
Western wheatbelt donkey orchid
(Diuris brachyscapa)
Jug orchid
(Pterostylis recurva)
??? greenhood
(Pterostylis sp.)
Sugar orchid
(Ericksonella saccharata)
Small mantis orchid
(Caladenia attingens subsp. gracillima)
Joseph’s spider orchid
(Caladenia polychroma)
Cowslip orchid
(Caladenia flava subsp. flava)
Slender spider orchid
(Caladenia pulchra)
Well after our extensive search of the reserve we decide it is time to move on. We don’t get far before we pull over at a patch of scrub, due to seeing a large colony of donkey orchids whilst driving past.
Gnowangerup-Jerramungup Rd
Western wheatbelt donkey orchid or Small flowered donkey orchid.
(Diuris brachyscapa or D. porrifolia)
Stark white spider orchid
(Caladenia longicauda subsp. eminens)
Wheatbelt spider orchid
(Caladenia x cala)
Cowslip orchid
(Caladenia flava subsp. flava)
Jug orchid
(Pterostylis recurva)
Short-sepaled spider orchid
(Caladenia brevisura)
Banded greenhood
(Pterostylis vittata)
Purple-veined spider orchid
(Caladenia doutchiae)
??? Hybrid
(Caladenia x sp.)
Western wheatbelt donkey orchid or Small flowered donkey orchid.
(Diuris brachyscapa or D. porrifolia)
Green spider orchid
(Caladenia falcata)
Wowsers! what an awesome random roadside stop that was. Hybrids plus numerous species found. We do though have to move on, so onwards to Ongerup we go.
Ongerup
Cowslip orchids
(Caladenia flava subsp. flava)
Western wheatbelt donkey orchid
(Diuris brachyscapa)
Green spider orchid
(Caladenia falcata)
Sugar orchid
(Ericksonella saccharata)
Drooping spider orchid
(Caladenia radialis)
Frog greenhood
(Pterostylis sargentii)
Blue china orchid
(Cyanicula gemmata)
Time for lunch so we head for the nearby Yongergnow Australian Malleefowl Centre, where we have enjoyed a nice meal on previous visits. This visit was no exception. With a full belly we move on towards the Fitzgerald River National Park.
Calyerup Rocks
Western tiny blue orchid
(Cyanicula aperta)
Sugar orchids
(Ericksonella saccharata)
Jug orchid
(Pterostylis recurva)
Cowslip orchid
(Caladenia flava subsp. flava)
Common bee orchid
(Diuris decrementa)
Whoops, we somehow drove into the Park Rangers residence, and were chastised for this. Oh well we know better next time. As we plan to camp at Hamersley Inlet we move further along the South Coast Hwy until we reach West River Road. Due to failing light we stop only at the lookout, before pulling into our overnight campground. After setting up we go for a quick walk and of course look out for any orchids that catch our eye. The inlet is very dry compared to when we last visited a few years back.
Hamersley Inlet
Western wispy spider orchid
(Caladenia microchila)
Sunset over the inlet
After enjoying the beautiful sunset over the inlet we head back to the camper to rustle up some dinner. We then enjoyed a game of Tri-ominos before hitting the sack. Random stops today proved very successful with many orchids found, so we don’t always have to plan everything upfront.
We awake to a cool morning, so I take Deb around exploring the area whilst the camper dries out. We discover other orchids as well as the ones I found yesterday afternoon, so the wander around was worth the effort.
Nunijup Lake
Tangled white spider orchid
(Caladenia longicauda subsp. redacta)
Small flowered donkey orchid
(Diuris porrifolia)
Jug orchid
(Pterostylis recurva)
Tenterden yellow spider orchid
(Caladenia straminichila)
Common spider orchid
(Caladenia varians)
Banded greenhood
(Pterostylis vittata)
Little pink fairies
(Caladenia reptans subsp. reptans)
Leaping spider orchid
(Caladenia macrostylis)
Well our next planned location is the amazing Stirling Range National Park, which is quite a distance, so we pack up the camper. We spy more orchids as we slowly leave our campsite, so grab some photos. Finally on the road, with high expectations for the day.
Stirling Range National Park
Cowslip orchid
(Caladenia flava subsp. flava)
Dancing spider orchid
(Caladenia discoidea)
Hare orchid
(Leporella fimbriata)
Western wheatbelt donkey orchid
(Diuris brachyscapa)
Pink bunny orchid
(Eriochilus scaber subsp. scaber)
Little pink fairies
(Caladenia reptans subsp, reptans)
Silky blue orchid
(Cyanicula sericea)
Sugar orchid
(Ericksonella saccharata)
Jug orchid
(Pterostylis recurva)
Blood spider orchid
(Caladenia filifera)
Joseph’s spider orchid
(Caladenia polychroma)
Blue beard
(Pheladenia deformis)
Lemon-scented sun orchid
(Thelymitra antennifera)
Banded greenhood
(Pterostylis vittata)
Rabbit orchid
(Leptoceras menziesii)
Red beaks
(Pyrorchis nigricans)
Common bee orchid
(Diuris decrementa)
??? spider orchid
(Caladenia sp.)
Zebra orchid
(Caladenia cairnsiana)
Ravensthorpe snail orchid
(Pterostylis sp. ‘Ravensthorpe’)
Mosquito orchid
(Cyrtostylis robusta)
Frog greenhood
(Pterostylis sargentii)
Yawning leek orchid
(Prasophyllum hians)
Well we were not disappointed. At least 22 orchid species found which blows our minds. The bush fire caused devastation, however the regrowth of the Australian bush is amazing. It’s now 4pm so we had better move on and find our overnight camp.
Kingia in flower following the bush fire
We struggled to find a camping location so made the decision to book into one of the Gnowangerup Hotel units for the night. We enjoyed a wonderful bar meal and bevy.
After an amazing sleep we enjoy breakfast with Kerry and her family before we are taken on a drive to the farm cemetery, which may actually be located in Condinup Reserve. In the bush surrounding the cemetery we find some orchids.
Family farm cemetery
Small flowered donkey orchid
(Diuris porrifolia)
Little pink fairies
(Caladenia reptans subsp. reptans)
Thanking Kerry for her hospitality we head south to Dinninup and make our first stop at the intersection of Six Mile and Harrison roads.
Six Mile and Harrison Rds
Donkey orchid
(Diuris sp.)
Little pink fairies
(Caladenia reptans subsp. reptans)
Silky blue orchid
(Cyanicula sericea)
Jug orchid
(Pterostylis recurva)
Next up we pullover at Six Mile Road Nature Reserve for a quick look.
Purple pansy orchid
(Diuris longifolia)
Jug orchid
(Pterostylis recurva)
Little pink fairies
(Caladenia reptans subsp. reptans)
Slender snail orchid
(Pterostylis crispula)
Banded greenhood
(Pterostylis vittata)
Cowslip orchid
(Caladenia flava subsp. flava)
Silky blue orchid
(Cyanicula sericea)
Diuris sp.
It is now past noon so we had better move on. We head south through Mayanup and take Scotts Brook Road toward the Tone Perup Nature Reserve. Pulling up on the roadside, we were surprised and elated as we got to see a real life Numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) sitting on a log. After calming down we ventured into the woodland to search for orchids.
Tone Perup Nature Reserve
Common donkey orchid or Small flowered donkey orchid
Just after 1.30pm we move on. However, only minutes down the road we come to Scotts Brook Nature Reserve. As it appears to have seen a bushfire recently, we pull over for a quick scout around.
Joseph’s spider orchid
(Caladenia polychroma)
Purple pansy orchid
(Diuris longifilia)
Common spider orchid
(Caladenia varians)
Primrose spider orchid
(Caladenia xantha)
??? spider orchid
(Caladenia sp.)
Little pink fairies
(Caladenia reptans subsp.reptans)
Silky blue orchid
(Cyanicula sericea)
It’s been nearly 1 hr since we pulled up to Scotts Brook N.R. so we had better get a move on. We didn’t get far before a change in habitat had us pull into a side road for a scout around.
Chowerup – Scotts Brook Road verge
Slender snail orchid
(Pterostylis crispula)
Silky blue orchid
(Cyanicula sericea)
??? donkey/pansy orchid
(Diuris sp.)
Little pink fairies
(Caladenia reptans subsp. reptans)
Jug orchid
(Pterostylis recurva)
Time flies when you’re having fun. Nearly 3 pm, so we head onward looking for an overnight camping site. We discover a wonderful abandoned cemetery, so we had to pull over to explore.
Lichen covered sign
Little pink fairies
(Caladenia reptans subsp. reptans)
Western wheatbelt donkey orchid
(Diuris brachyscapa)
Nice little stop with a couple of orchids growing between the gravesites. Onwards we go, further south-east, checking out nature reserves for places to camp. Nothing found, so we finally pull up to our backup overnight stay.
Nunijup Lake
Small flowered donkey orchid
(Diuris porrifolia)
Tenterden yellow spider orchid
(Caladenia straminichila)
Jug orchid
(Pterostylis recurva)
Tangled white spider orchid
(Caladenia longicauda subsp. redacta)
Well, we can finally rest up and enjoy the campfire. A wonderful day on the road with many orchids found. Some new locations explored and a favourite overnight spot revisited. At least 15 species found, which is amazing. Roll on tomorrow!!!
Waking up to more conveyor belt noise we enjoy breakfast in the beautiful sunshine before we head off exploring the bush. We have time to kill as we have a rather damp camper, which needs to dry out before being packed up.
