Author: mickyjim64

Tadpole Discoveries and Orchid Sightings with Grandkids

Esperance, Western Australian Orchids

03/07/2024

As the grandkids were disappointed with not finding any tadpoles on our last adventure, today we head east.
Orchid hunting will again play a secondary role for the day.
First stop for the day is our Neridup1 location as it fills up with water during winter.
No tadpoles found however the grandkids had fun in the water and also climbing the blue metal pile.
I did locate a Brittle snail orchid (Pterostylis timothyi) nearly fully formed. I took some pics for recording purposes. These orchids flower July through September over a range extending between Mt Lindesay and Mt Ragged.
The Banded greenhood (Pterostylis vittata) was also found. It flowers from April through September. Its range extends between Perth and Israelite Bay.

Moved onto a random puddle along Scaddan Road. No tadpoles found though we did find some fungi and more Banded greenhoods.

Next, we move onto Dempster Road where we try another roadside puddle. No tadpoles but further Banded greenhoods. This is becoming repetitive.

We need to find a better location on the way home. Otherwise, this will be another lost day concerning tadpoles.

I noticed a spot with water pooled so we turnaround and make one last attempt.
Deb and the grandkids explore the shallow but clear water whilst I bush bash for orchids.
We break the pattern; I find nothing whilst they catch 3 small tadpoles.

Success.

A successful afternoon for the grandkids in finally catching some tadpoles. Orchids though are proving elusive other than Banded greenhoods which appear everywhere. LOL

School holiday fun with Grandad and Nana… I feel they enjoyed themselves as we certainly did.
Life is wonderful in the great outdoors.

Orchid Hunting and Nature Outing with Grandkids

Esperance, Helms Arboretum, Western Australian Orchids

What to do with the grandkids on school holidays?
Go for a drive out to Helms Arboretum to let them run around and also look for tadpoles.
Plus, why not squeeze in a little orchid hunting.
LOL

Alas, no tadpoles were found. We did have fun climbing trees and finding fungi. We also enjoyed collecting pinecones and gum flowers snipped off by the Black cockatoos.

In between all the fun I did manage to take some quick snaps of two orchids. Both are common so nothing too spectacular.

Firstly, is the White bunny orchid (Eriochilus dilatatus). Flowering occurs April through June over a large range, Dirk Hartog Island to Israelite Bay.

The other orchid found was the Banded greenhood (Pterostylis vittata). This orchid flowers April through September and it ranges from Perth to Israelite Bay.

A wonderful 3 or so hours spent in the outdoors with the grandkids.

Life is great

Orchids found on quick trip to Perth

Kings Park, Other Reserves, Western Australian Orchids

20/06/2024

So, it feels like I was travelling this road only a few days ago. Actually, I was driving in the other direction back on the 17/6.
Back to Perth for a medical appointment this time. Heading up a day early so will attempt some orchid hunts on the drive up.

First and only orchid hunt is made at our usually reliable Jelcobine8 location.

The Red-veined shell orchid (Pterostylis hamiltonii) is found in good numbers.

Flowers: May to August

Distribution: Toodyay and the Stirling Range

Co-located with the shell orchids were the Hairy-stemmed snail orchid (Pterostylis setulosa).

Flowering: July to September

Distribution: Nerren Nerren Station to Balladonia

Some greenhood orchids are also found. Possibly 2 species but open to correction.

Dark banded greenhood (Pterostylis sanguinea) and Banded greenhood (Pterostylis vittata)

Flowering: June/April to September

Distribution: Perth and Israelite Bay / Eneabba to Esperance

21/06/2024

So today rather than hang around the hospital I decide to go for a stroll around Kings Park. I was shocked to see how much of the bushland was dead and dying. I did not come across many orchids either, but I certainly racked up my steps. 🙂

More greenhoods found with both green and darker flowers, so possibly another 2 species.

I am unsure of the darker one because I am not familiar with Perth orchids. However, I believe the green one is the Banded greenhood.

Slipped into the Botanical Cafe for lunch. Enjoyed a bagel with a beer. Then I walked back to the car down Lovekin Drive. I found a WARREN who died in WWII honoured under one of the massive gumtrees.

Next, I moved onto Bold Park where I decided to walk the Tuart Loop Trail. Unsure if I stuck to it as I feel I ended up on the Zamia Trail. Along the trail there was views of the City of Perth. A highlight off the walk was watching Carnaby Black Cockatoos feeding in the trees before they flew off. Video below.

Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo feeding in the Banksia bushes
Perth City from Bold Park
Walk tail with Perth City views
Cockatoo flock flying away

Time to head back to the hospital for patient pick-up. Arrived early so killed time by exploring the grounds. Here I found the amazing old Harvey House. This building is from the original hospital that was opened in 1916.
In front of one of the other buildings is a display of the Nyoongar Calendar.

22/06/2024

Drove straight home to Esperance so no orchids to record. Let us see how long we stay put before heading up to Perth again.

Exploring Orchids and Celebrating in Perth

Road Trip, Weekend away, Western Australian Orchids

15/06/2024 – 17/06/2024

I am heading up to Perth to attend a 60th birthday party. I will also catch up with Debbie as she is currently in Perth with her work.
I will try and make some quick orchid stops along the way if time permits.

Well, no time to search for orchids on trip up to Perth so will try on the way back.

The birthday party on the Saturday night was held at the Ye Olde Narrogin Inne. It was a surprise for a long-time friend Sandy. To ensure I could have a good night I booked a room at the nearby Heritage Country Motel. In fact, it was walking distance. To save on costs Richard another longtime friend and I shared a room.
Sunday was spent catching up with my daughter Kristie and granddaughter Bonnie. Then heading with Debbie to Fremantle to play tourist. We visited the West Australian Maritime Museum which took a few hours to check out. The exhibits were varied and interesting.
After a wonderful lunch at Moore and Moore Cafe in Fremantle it was time to head to Dwellingup.
I am staying the night with brother Geoff and his wife Robyn. We will catch up and I will be closer to home for the long drive tomorrow.

Woke to a cold winters’ morning. Enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and hit the road around 10am. The road was still very foggy in patches between Dwellingup and Quindanning.
Finally, pulled over to a fav spot in the Piesseville7 locale to have a quick orchid hunt.

The only orchid found flowering in my quick 10min check was the Dark banded greenhood (Pterostylis sanguinea).

Flowering: June to September.

Distribution: Eneabba to Israelite Bay

No further stops made as I did not wish to travel at dusk. Arrived home just after 5pm.

Weekend wander to Lake King

Nature Reserves, Weekend away, Western Australian Orchids

25/05/2024 – 26/05/2024

On the hunt for that elusive Winter Spider Orchid. To improve our chances, we are heading over to Lake King. To provide as much time as possible we have booked into the Lake King Tavern Motel for Saturday night.

However, as is usual for us we never go anywhere directly. Orchid hunting stops will be made along the way, plus we like to venture paths not previously travelled.

First up we check out a location in Coomalbidgup3 where we come across some bunny orchids.

Pictures of two findings only taken with the leaf not visible in one. The second pics show very small smooth margined leaves.

Unable to give a positive ID based on these pics so will leave as ??? bunny orchid (Eriochilus sp.)

The next couple of locations, one in Coomalbidgup4 and one in Munglinup,5 did not turn up any orchids.

I did come across a large Beehive located under a rocky overhang. I gave it a wide berth.

Another 2 stops made on the roadside verge of Lake Ace Nature Reserve followed by Kathleen Nature Reserve.


No luck in finding any orchids in flower.


We then visit a previously visited site nearby6 and here we only find some spent Pygmy orchids (Corunastylis fuscoviridis).

Oh well that was not a very successful day, orchid wise, however getting out in the bush is always enjoyable.

After spending a wonderful night at Lake King, we enjoy a leisurely morning. The after the 10am check-out we finally head out for further exploration.

Damnosa and Pallarup Nature Reserves are both checked. Unfortunately, nothing other than further spent Pygmy orchids are found.

Oh well time to go home and back to work on Monday.

The Winter spider orchids will have to wait for another year.

Slim Pickings on a Sunny Day: Orchid Hunting Adventures

Mount Burdett NR, Nature Reserves, Sunday Drive, Western Australian Orchids

19/05/2024

It’s past midway of May so we anticipate some other orchids are starting to show themselves. So, northeast of Esperance we head with our first stop being one of our usual haunts in Neridup1.


The only orchid found during a quick sweep of the location was the Hare orchid (Leporella fimbriata).

They are a very distinctive orchid with thin upright petals that appear to be ears and a prominently fringed labellum.

Flowering: March – June
Distribution: Shark Bay to Israelite Bay

Moving on towards our planned destination we pull into a track on a whim and have a quick look around.2 Not much found here either.

First up we find the Pygmy orchid (Corunastylis fuscoviridis), however they are finished for the season. Pics taken for recording purposes only.

Flowering: March – May
Distribution: Corrigin to Eucla

Then we come across the Banded greenhood (Pterostylis vittata) which is the most common of the greenhood orchids.

Flowering: April – September
Distribution: Perth to Israelite Bay

Then a small greenhood orchid is found that is just sprouting its first flower. From the colouring and size, I believe it will be the Mallee banded greenhood (Pterostylis arbuscula).

Flowering: June – July
Distribution: Dalwallinu to Eyre Bird Observatory

Next, we move onto our planned destination, Mount Burdett, which is also located in the Mt Burdett Nature Reserve. We enjoy a late bite to eat for lunch before starting our search.

On the granite rock we locate some bunny orchids growing. By referring to the latest book by Andrew Brown I ID them as the Eastern granite bunny orchid (Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. “eastern granites”).

Flowering: April and May
Distribution: Esperance to Balladonia

Then around the back of the rock I discover the sole Hare orchid growing. Last year there were more but not today 🙁

Well not such a productive day, however it is always wonderful to get out on a beautiful sunny winters day.

A Mother’s Day Adventure at Helms Arboretum

Esperance, Helms Arboretum, Western Australian Orchids

12/05/2024

It is Mother’s Day, so we head out to the Esperance Bird and Animal Park for breakfast. We are joined by our two son’s and their little families.

After a very enjoyable morning with family, we decide to check out Helms Arboretum. As we are in the Corolla, we will stick to the gravel tracks only. It will be interesting to see what orchids make an appearance.

As expected, the first orchids found are the bunny orchids. These little orchids flower from March in some areas all the way to June in others.

The White bunny orchid (Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. dilatatus) is the most widespread of the species. They are found between Shark Bay and Israelite Bay.

Leaf is sometimes red backed

The only other orchids found were those of the Greenhood family.

The also widespread Banded greenhood (Pterostylis vittata) is found flowering in a few isolated spots.

They flower from April till September between Perth and Israelite Bay.

Not too many orchids currently to be found out at Helms Arboretum. Rather a slow start to the season.

The Resilience of White Bunny Orchids by the Sea

Western Australian Orchids

APRIL 2024

A camping trip on the coast at Alexander Bay, east of Esperance, provides our first orchids of the season. Within metres of the water the early flowering White bunny orchid (Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. dilatatus) is found.
These orchids are found from Lancelin to Israelite Bay during April and May. They can grow up to 350mm in height and can have as many as 10 flowers. Their colouring is listed as white, dull green and red.
Finding these small delicate flowers flowers growing so close to the water was amazing. The strong winds and sea spray they endure is a test of their resilience.

Early Season Orchid Hunting Around Esperance

Nature Reserves, Red Lake Townsite NR, Sunday Drive, Western Australian Orchids

14/04/2024

Home alone for the weekend, so of course I head out looking for some early season orchids. Heading north out of Esperance I first pull into one of our regular haunts.
To my dismay, it appears the track we used to check along is in fact a fire break. It had been re-cleared, though unfortunately a little wider this time. Thus, it cleared away the vegetation where we had previously found orchids.
I decided to expand my search in the location. I included the other side of a Salt Lake. I was excited to find some orchids over the entire search area.

The first orchid found was of the Eriochilus genus.
Due to the wavy edged leaf, I believe they are the Blunt-leaved bunny orchid (Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. brevifolius).

These orchids are listed as being found between the Murchison River and Toolinna Cove.

Flowering during the months of April, May and June.

Two specimens of the Leafless orchid (Praecoxanthus aphyllus) were found in the newly explored area past the Salt Lake.

The orchids are listed as occurring between Perth and Condingup.

Flowering during the months of March, April and May.

The common name is actually incorrect. The flowering orchids do have a leaf. However, it is minuscule (Minute bract only) when compared to the non-flowering leaf. Plus, it occurs at the very base of the flowering stem.

A farmer on a quad bike with his two dogs approached me. It appears I have been looking for orchids on his property. After discovering I was not a lost tourist, he was quite happy for me to stay.

I however decide to head back, taking one last hunt for any orchids in the old location.



Woohoo, I find one lone Hare orchid (Leporella fimbriata) growing in the shrubs alongside the newly cleared fire break.

These orchids are listed as being found between Shark Bay and Israelite Bay.

Flowering during the months of March, April, May and June.

I decide to head further north to the Red Lake Townsite Nature Reserve. This is a known location for the 4th early season orchid I am chasing today.

As luck would have it after walking along the track for quite a while, I finally find the Pygmy orchid (Corunastylis fuscoviridis).

The orchids are listed as occurring between Corrigin and Eucla.

Flowering during the months of March, April and May.

I finish the day a happy Chappy as I managed to find 4 of the early season orchids flowering.
Each species was from a different genus:
Eriochilus,
Praecoxanthus,
Leporella,
Corunastylis.