14/09/2024
After a restful sleep we grab breakfast at the local cafe, the Southern Star Cafe. Then we again hit the road. Bob and Jan head off for Coolgardie, whilst we use good old Google Maps to find a possible orchid location.
Condarnin Rock Nature Reserve is chosen. We take the road south just after the burnt out Yellowdine Roadhouse.
It turned out to be a good choice as we discovered the following orchids:
Narrow-lipped dragon orchid (Caladenia mesocera),
Clown / Ant orchid (Caladenia roei),
Dainty blue orchid (Cyanicula amplexans),
Spoon-lipped rufous greenhood (Pterostylis spathulata),
Yellow granite donkey orchid (Diuris hazeliae),
Lemon-scented sun orchid (Thelymitra antennifera),
Granite sun orchid (Thelymitra petrophila),
Little frog greenhood (Pterostylis occulta) and
Little laughing leek orchid (Prasophyllum gracile).
Numerous spider orchids from the Filamentosa complex were also found.
I however find identifying these orchids very difficult so will provide my options for the species names and pictures of the orchids.
Any assistance in naming these would be greatly appreciated. I have also posted then on iNaturalist for similar assistance.
Ironcaps / Mystery spider orchid (Caladenia paradoxa)
Chameleon spider orchid (C. dimidia)
Glistening spider orchid (C. incensum)
Western wispy spider orchid (C. microchila)
Banded ironstone spider orchid (C. saxicola)
Common spider orchid (C. varians)
From here we drove directly to Kalgoorlie where we caught up with Bob n Jan at the York Hotel, which is out last pub of this road trip.
It has been a blast!!!!
