13/09/2024
Breakfast in Koorda before we head east toward Mukinbudin, where we make our first orchid hunting stop at Wundowlin Nature Reserve.
Orchids discovered at this location include:
Lemon-scented sun orchid (Thelymitra antennifera),
Dainty blue orchid (Cyanicula amplexans),
Little laughing leek orchid (Prasophyllum gracile)
and
Chameleon spider orchid (Caladenia dimidia).
Passing through Mukinbudin we come across an amazing mural featuring black cockatoos and Blue beard orchids, painted by Tammi de Rooy @tammiderooyart, which by the way is the feature image of this post.
Next, we head southeast towards Westonia.
On the way we make another orchid hunting stop at Boodallin Soak located in the Westonia Common. After a quick check of the well Bob n Jan head into Westonia for an explore whilst we explore the granite outcrop.
Orchids found include:
Yellow granite donkey orchid (Diuris hazeliae),
Little laughing leek orchid,
Western wispy spider orchid (Caladenia microchila),
Midget greenhood (Pterostylis mutica),
Dainty blue orchid,
Slender rufous greenhood (Pterostylis macrosceles)
and
Pink candy orchid (Caladenia hirta subsp. rosea).
After arriving in Westonia we enjoy lunch with Bob and Jan at the Cafe/Supermarket. They then go to check out the museum whilst we explore the Woodlands & Wildflowers Heritage Trail for orchids. This walk trail is also contained in the Westonia Common.
Orchids found include:
Dainty blue orchid with an Albino form found,
Little laughing leek orchid,
Ant / Clown orchid (Caladenia roei),
Granite sun orchid (Thelymitra petrophila),
Spoon-lipped rufous greenhood (Pterostylis spathulata) and
Spider orchids of the Filamentosa complex.
Unable to identify with a high probability of correctness, so have posted 4 pics of the various forms found.
Nearly 3pm so we had better keep moving. We hit the Great Eastern Hwy and venture eastward as far as Bodallin1 where we make another exploration stop.
Many more Filamentosa complex spider orchids are found.
I’ll not attempt to name them, but I’ll use iNaturalist.com for assistance and make edits as needed. Other than C. microchila and C. dimidia already listed today other possible species are:
Glistening spider orchid (Caladenia incensum),
Banded Ironstone spider orchid (Caladenia saxicola),
Common spider orchid (Caladenia varians).
Other orchids found include the
Dainty blue orchid,
Ant / Clown orchid,
Little laughing leek orchid,
Yellow granite donkey orchid,
Hairy-stemmed snail orchid (Pterostylis setulosa),
and
Little frog greenhood (Pterostylis occulta).
It is nearly 4pm so we move onto our next overnight accommodation, where we again catch up with Jan and Bob.
The Palace Hotel in Southern Cross was a comfortable hotel with great meals. We hit the sack content.
