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.
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.
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 bushesPerth City from Bold ParkWalk tail with Perth City viewsCockatoo 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.
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 Darkbanded 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 (Eriochilusdilatatus 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.
14/10/2023 Well time stops for no man and the orchid season is nearing its end. For Deb and I this will be our last planned orchid hunt for the season. Later flowers do bloom right though to Feb. However, we call it quits now that the snakes are active, and the orchid pickings are slim. So, what better place to finish the season than at Helm’s Arboretum? It is a part of the 4000 ha Helms Forestry Reserve. There is not much of a tale to tell initially. I will just post pictures of the many Sun orchids found flowering. NOTE: Access to Florabase for info on each orchid is linked via the scientific name.
We check out a newer area of the arboretum where the soil is mainly white sand. This is to see if this habitat turns up anything new or more of the same. OMG we are very excited to find our very first Flying Duck orchids. These orchids belong to their own genus: Paracaleana of which 15 species are found in WA. 4 of which are found in the Shire of Esperance. From these 4 I feel these to be the Broad-billed duck orchid (Paracaleana triens) which flower Sept-Oct.
