04/09/2024
Today Deb and I decide to head out west of Esperance to see what we can find.
Our first destination is Lake Monjinup which is located in the Lake Mortijinup Nature Reserve which is also referred to as Lake Monjingup Reserve. 3 different spellings and differing details on the size of the reserve make things rather confusing.
This is only a quick check around the parking area as we have many kms to go today.
As would be expected the first orchids found were the Esperance king spider orchids (Caladenia decora). They are amazing large spider orchids that can be so dazzling in their colours.
Another dazzling orchid is found. These are the much smaller Pink fairies (Caladenia latifolia) which as the name suggests are pink in colour.
They do have a much larger range, occurring between Kalbarri and Israelite Bay in WA but are also found in Vic, Tas, and SA. The Esperance king spider by comparison is found only between Bremer Bay and Cape Arid in WA.
Our next stop is nearly 1 hours’ drive west in Coomalbidgup9. We park up off the road and venture into the roadside vegetation. This was just one of those “Let’s check this spot out” random choices.
And guess what? It paid off this time 🙂
First up we find the Purple enamel orchid (Elythranthera brunonis) growing sporadically over the location searched. These orchids are found between Kalbarri and Israelite Bay.
Another orchid found throughout this location was the bright yellow Common bee orchid (Diuris decrementum). These small orchids are found from near to Perth to east of Esperance.
A 2nd species of yellow orchid is also found. The common Cowslip orchid (Caladenia flava subsp. flava) was expected but is always a surprise to find as well. This particular subspecies is the most widespread of the 4 names subspecies.
Who would have picked it, another yellow orchid is found in good numbers. The Twisted sun orchid (Thelymitra flexuosa) grows with sedges and low shrubs in moist places such as the edge of swamps.
It is found between Kalbarri and Israelite Bay and is also found in southern Vic, south-eastern SA and Tas.
Also found at this location were more Esperance king spider orchids.
The discovery of the final orchid at this location was unexpected, as the area has not seen a recent burn. Red beaks (Pyrorchis nigricans) typically flower following a summer fire however, rare specimens bloom without fire, which appears to be case in instance.
Found between Shark Bay and Israelite Bay in WA and all Australian states except Qld and the NT.
Next stop is a new Coomalbidgup10 spot where the powerline gives easy access.
Today, we encountered additional specimens of some previously identified orchids so I will post a picture of them to document their presence at this new location.
New species for the day were also found. Firstly, came the Esperance white spider orchid (Caladenia longicauda subsp. crassa) which as the name suggests is found in a range between Bremer Bay and Cape Arid which includes Esperance.
A solitary Western tiny blue orchid (Cyanicula aperta) was found. These small guys flower between Ongerup and Israelite Bay.
Pics taken from different angles either highlight or diminish the blue colouring of the orchid flower.
And the final new species found at this new location was the bright Lemon-scented sun orchid (Thelymitra antennifera) which is found flowering between Shark and Israelite Bays.
We head further north up Neds Corner Road and make a random roadside stop at some low granite. On the West side of the road, it was covered in water but on the East side it was mainly dry.
We found orchids on both sides of the road, though mostly the same as previously found today.
Common bee orchids, Lemon-scented sun orchids and Cowslip orchids listed for recording purposes.
New species for today is found on the East side of the road.
The Small mantis orchid (Caladenia attingens subsp. gracillima) is found flowering between Jerramungup and Israelite Bay.
A spent Jug orchid (Pterosylis recurva) was found as were some orchids yet to flower.
Thelymitra, Microtis and possibly Prasophyllum orchids in bud and some leaves to tempt us.
We move on but not too far of course 🙂
Only a little way up the road will pull over at another random spot due to a change in vegetation cover.
First up hiding underneath a shrub a compact clump of Western tiny blue orchids is found.
An exciting find here was a small patch of the Dwarf shell orchid (Pterostylis brevichila). These orchids are found flowering between Hyden and Mount Arid.
Another new orchid for today is found, from the Caladenia genus, which is always exciting. The Short-sepaled spider orchid (Caladenia brevisura) is another easterly located orchid, as it grows between Ravensthorpe and Israelite Bay.
The next orchids found are the small Zebra orchid (Caladenia cairnsiana) and the Frog greenhood (Pterostylis sargentii) which are found from Watheroo to Esperance and Mullewa to Grass Patch respectively.
Then some further Esperance white spider orchids and Small mantis orchids are found. As usual I will post a pic of each for recording purposes.
As we proceed, we take a moment to reflect on the discovery of 15 distinct species of orchids. With additional locations yet to be explored, this promises to be a highly successful orchid hunting expedition.
As I compose these blog posts several months after the actual date, I am dividing this day into three reports. Stay tuned for Part II and III.