Spider – WA Orchid Adventures

Sunday search of Helms Arboretum

27/08/2017

Sunday morning fishing planned, however after a sleep-in we decide to head out to Helm’s Arboretum to check on the orchids instead. Our Southern Curly Locks is still yet to bloom so we resign ourselves to the fact we will miss it this season as we head out on our 3 week road trip in 3 days.

Next we check out the location we find our Western tiny blue orchids (Cyanicula aperta) and we were rewarded with both regular blue and some rarer white flowers.

Closer shot of white variant

A white variation

Front on shot

Family shot

Let me give you a hand

In the adjoining plot I came across a first for me. A Grass-leafed spider orchid (Caladenia graminifolia) which flowers August to September and ranges from Mt Manypeaks to Israelite Bay. I thought is was a Green spider orchid however on checking my Orchid books it proved to be a Hoffman spider orchid due to the prominently clubbed sepals and petals plus the long thin fringe segments on the labellum.

Profile shot with his buddy yet to bloom

Close-up of labellum showing large red calli

Shot showing the short clubbed petals and sepals

Straight clubbed dorsal sepal

Also in the same plot we located some Snail orchids and King spider orchids. I will go out on a limb and name the snail orchid as Ravensthorpe snail orchid (Pterostylis sp. ‘Ravensthorpe’) as they are found between Stirling Ranges and Esperance and flower August to September. The spider orchid is our local Esperance king spider orchid (Caladenia decora).

Profile shot

Small group or hood of snails

Rosette

Long erect sepals

3 stem leaves

Bloated appearance

Close-up

full flower head shot

Moving along to another plot we locate some White spider orchids. I believe there are two subspecies of the Caladenia longicauda species found. First being the Esperance white spider orchid (Caladenia longicauda subsp. crassa) which has short spreading petals and lateral sepals, flowers August to early September and ranges from Jerramungup to Cape Arid National Park. Second being the Southern white spider orchid (Caladenia longicauda subsp. australora) which has long pendulous petals and lateral sepals, flowers September to October and is found Millar’s Point to Fitzgerald River National Park. Slightly east of recorded location however it is the only White spider orchid that comes close to Esperance with long pendulous petals and sepals. The “Florabase” record 15359 includes the Esperance Local Government boundary and Esperance Plains region in it’s lists of locations, so I am confident with my classification.

Spreading petals and sepals

Short spreading petals and sepals

Large white labellum with four rows of calli and narrow fringe segments

White labellum with long narrow fringe segments

Side view of long pendulous petals and lateral sepals

Long pendulous petals and lateral sepals

We move onto another known location to find our little Zebra orchid (Caladenia cairnsiana) and we were not disappointed. These little fellows are found between Esperance and Lancelin and flower August to early November.

Single leaf, hanging petals ans lateral sepals

Red-striped labellum with a central band of deep-purple calli and a glandular apex

Short, hanging petals and lateral sepals which clasp the ovary

Close by the Zebra orchids were Dwarf zebra orchids (Caladenia pachychila) which are distinguished from their big brother by their petals and sepals not clasping the ovary. They still hang but do not clasp the stem.

Red striped labellum with dense central band of calli and glandular apex

Hanging petals and lateral sepals

Single, erect, hairy leaf

Another find nearby was a very white White spider orchid. Unable to ID this one but it was big and beautiful.

Such large and beautiful flowers

Hardly any colour other than slight red to the labellum fringe and dark red column

Very long petals and sepals, both dorsal and lateral

Next we move to the snail hood plot to see what is still flowering. Our first find were some more Western tiny blue orchids and then we find the snail hood. Snail orchids of unknown identity due to wrinkled leaves.

Prominently

Horizontally spreading petals and lateral sepals

Short lateral sepals

Bloated appearance and short lateral sepals

Size comparison to my index finger tip

Rosette of wrinkled leaves, 3 stem leaves, bloated appearance and short lateral sepals

Rosette of wrinkled leaves

Our last stop of the day was near the entrance to the reserve and we find the good old faithful Cowslip orchid (Caladenia flava subsp. flava). As usual Helm’s Arboretum didn’t let us down.

Gibson to Myrup

19/8/2017 On a tip from our friend Deb Witt we are heading north of Gibson to check out what lies within 50km of home. However first we have our standard fully cooked breakfast at the Esperance Bird & Animal Park and then our obligatory check of Helms Arboretum. Just past the large green log sign at the entrance we find some Esperance King spider orchids (Caladenia decora) of various colours.

Twins

Colour variants

Close-up shot

We also checked out our Curly Locks but it still has a way to go before flowering. Fingers crossed it is still there when we return from our September holidays.

Turning east from the Coolgardie-Esperance Hwy we park opposite a patch of scrub with a small lake. Just off the road where we parked Deb spots the first orchid of the day. Donkey orchids are found everywhere on the North roadside verge. Unable to verify exact species as the location does not match any in the books. Possible two different types found as one is duller yellow with hanging sepals and the other is brighter yellow with re-curved and crossed sepals.

Duller yellow

Straight hanging sepals

Crossed sepals

Twins

Front on shot . Large petals and crossed sepals

Slight profile shot

Re-curved sepals

We cross the road to the lake side and start looking around when Deb calls me over as she has found a Hare orchid (Leporella fimbriata). This distraction nearly had me walking into a huge Golden orb spider (Nephila edulis). The poor old Hare orchid was well and truly finished for the season.

Triple header way past it’s prime

Nephila edulis

More searching and we turn up more Donkey orchids and the first Red beaks (Pyrorchis nigricans) sprouting from the many leaves spotted. In fact there were so many Red beak and Hare orchid leaves around you sometimes could not help stepping on them.

Pyrorchis nigricans

Bright sunshine

Flower just poking through

Full orchid shot

Could be a reflection in a mirror

Flower squeezing itself out

The first Pterostylis orchids of the day were also found. Banded greenhood (Pterostylis vittata) and Jug orchid , plus of course some more Donkey orchids.

Only 1 flower head still green

Still yet to fully open, looking like a stork or bird

Beautiful big petals and this crossed lateral sepals

Growing near the rushes

Quite a tall specimen

Looking under a tallish shrub I notice a patch of Banded greenhoods so make my way under to get a photo. Telling Deb of my find I glance down and there is this very small white coloured orchid. It happened to be a small Sugar orchid (Ericksonella saccharata) which was partially opened. I grabbed some photos and then moved over to take some Banded greenhood photos whilst Deb took some of the Sugar orchid. This little orchid actually fully opened over a period of a few minutes so my next shots were of it fully open.

Just opening up

Ericksonella saccharata

Deb taking a photo on her iPhone. Great size comparison

Fully opened over 4 minutes

Pic below is of the Banded Greenwood I mentioned above that lead me to the sugar orchid.

Still looking fresh unlike his nearby friends

We then made our way back to the Triton and moved further West and turned North along the railway line. We parked up and had a bite to eat before venturing out for another hunt. Deb spied another Sugar orchid and I took a photo of the habitat it was found in and what we get up to taking these photos.

Deb down n dirty getting a photo

Full flower shot showing thin leaf

Another flower out in the open this time

Another Red beak sprouting, lone Snail orchid and Dancing spider (Caladenia discoidea) are found in this area, before we head over the railway line.

Possibly a Brittle snail orchid.. Very small rosette

Twins emerging

Another hybrid ???

Immediately we find what we thought was another sugar orchid, however on returning home and checking the photos on our computer we notice it is in fact a Western tiny blue orchid (Cyanicula aperta). These are found August to early October from Dumbleyung to Mount Ragged. We now laugh that we were so blinded to the fact they were two very different orchids, just both so small, so just appeared to be variants in colour only.

Cyanicula aperta

Full length shot

This side of the railway line proved very fruitful with many orchids found. Brittle snail orchids (Pterostylis timothyi), more Western tiny blue orchids, more Redbeaks emerging, further Dancing orchids and even more Donkey orchids.

Western tiny blue orchid and Brittle Snail orchid

Much paler hence confusing it with a Sugar orchid

Standing tall n strong . Not so his neighbour

Stalked pointed leaves to the rosette

Nice full length shot , growing at edge of road

Showing the thick calli

Full flower shot

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Time to head south so we make tracks west until a road heading south is found. At a place where the road had been straightened we take the old track and stop for lunch. Deb spies two Dancing spider orchids and finally a Jug orchid (Pterostylis recurva) fully opened. I locate some more Donkey orchids then on the other side of this small triangular piece of bush I find some beautiful Esperance king spider orchids. More Donkey orchids found then onward further south.

Very stiffly held petals and sepals

Little tuck under with the lateral sepals

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Profile shot

Second flower juts out from the main stem

Profile shot

Looking into the jug

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We stop as the track turns east to a farmers paddock and check around as we can see more Donkey orchids from the Triton. After looking around only Donkeys found here.

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The track itself does head straight ahead it just reduces in size and standard. Very weedy now so we cross over the creek at a granite ford. A little further along a small patch opens up to the right, so we decide to check it out. A little patch of yellow catches Deb’s eye and she calls me over as she has found a season first Common bee orchid (Diuris decrementa) which flowers from August to November and is found from North of Perth to East of Esperance.

Diuris decrementa

We finally make it back to the road and head south stopping a few more times but only finding a single Cowslip orchid.

Texture shot

Lonely fellow

At the intersection we make a final stop and cross the road to have on more search for anything. Deb calls me over as she finds some Esperance King spider orchids. Now the word some is a little bit understated … There are so many it is impossible to count them.

Nice big boy

Giving a bow

Such bold colours

Huge cluster of spiders

Cluster of spiders

Small cluster

Shorty

Also found in numerous clusters were Wispy spider orchids. Unsure of the exact type though.

Smaller cluster in moss

Great cluster

Another great cluster

A further cluster

Mossy cluster

Some single specimens were also found but I will not attempt to name the exact types of these either.

Side profile

Red limbs

Tall and straight soldier

Red pointer

Full frontal

Tall and thin

This final location ended an awesome day with new finds and so many orchids in one place… Nature is grand alright !!!

Road trip to Perth

An early morning start for the long haul from Esperance to Perth. First stop was at Pallarup Rock N.R. It was just after 7am and it was freezing. There was a lot of water around so I had to watch my step. First orchid found was a little Blue beard or Blue fairy orchid (Pheladenia deformis). Took a pic and then ventured across the flowing water onto the granite rock. Some more Blue beards found and then further

Pheladenia deformis

Side profile

into the scrub some yellow caught my eye. Donkey orchids. Now which type??

sorry for the average quality of this photo

Diuris sp. ‘western wheatbelt’

I believe them to be Western wheatbelt donkey orchid (Diuris sp. ‘western wheatbelt’) which occur July through September and range from York to Ravensthorpe. Walking back more Blue Beards and Donkey orchids are found as was a lone Jug orchid yet to fully develop.

Cold morning dew/frost showing on this flower

Waiting for his friends to open

Getting close to opening

Full length shot

Showing the beard

On the track back to the sealed road I spy one poor specimen of a Snail orchid

Covered in dew

My next stop for a quick orchid hunt is the Lookout at Lake Grace. As expected I found some Wispy spider orchids. Also as expected it is too hard to attempt to identify them all but I believe two types to be Chameleon spider orchid (Caladenia dimidia) and Common spider orchid (Caladenia vulgata). The Chameleon is found July to September from Paynes Find to Norseman whilst the Common is found July to October from Kalbarri to Esperance.

Profile shot

Full flower shot

Caladenia dimidia

Size comparison with index finger

Caladenia vulgata

Erect dorsal sepal and shorter stiffly held petals and lateral sepals

Red variant

Also found up here were Dark banded greenhood (Pterostylis sanguinea), Jug orchid and another Donkey orchid.

Unsure of species

Pterostylis recurva yet to open

Group of greenhoods

Pterostylis sanguinea

Moving on, the next quick check was on the Piesseville Tarwonga Rd turn-off. There were so many Caladenia orchids in bud, but could not for the life of me find one in flower. In the ditch to the side of the road I found many snail orchids, including Hairy-stemmed snail orchid (Pterosylis sp. ‘inland’) and whilst photographing them I also found some Banded greenhoods (Pterostylis vittata) and Dark banded greenhoods.

Hairy-stemmed snail orchid

Full length shot

Nice busy inflorescence

Solo flower

Missing a lateral sepal

On Albany Hwy just past Williams I was stuck behind a slow moving truck, so I decided to check out the Williams Nature Reserve. It was a promising place however I was running out of time, so a few quick checks before heading off to meet up with Deb and Kirstie in Perth. Only found some great Dark banded greenhood specimens.

Nicely balanced inflorescence

In bright sunshine

Boyatup – 1st visit of the 17/18 Season

30/7/2017

Mid morning we head off along Fisheries Road east to Boyatup. Our first point of call is a gravel pit just past where the bitumen runs out. After driving slowly in and checking the spot where we found Redbeaks last year, we come up empty, with nothing worthy found. So we head back to Boyatup Hill ( Mud Map SE 40 ) and head in on the track. First find is a Donkey Orchid which has something foreign stuck on it’s labellum, while his stem mate has his labellum nibbled off a bit. Green Range donkey orchid (Diuris sp. ‘Green Range’).

Imperfect twins

Labellum nipped

Labellum with a foreign object wedged in

Further along the track Deb spots the first Spider orchid, so we park up and have a good look around. Western wispy spider orchid (Caladenia microchila) is the only species I am certain of that is included in our finds, however they would all belong to the Filamentosa complex.

Note the very small labellum

Caladenia microchila

Size comparison to a 50c coin

Exact species ???

Profile comparison photos – Wispy spider orchids, unsure of exact species though.

Another profile for comparison

Profile shot

Whilst I am on the ground taking photos Deb yells with excitement. She has found the first King Spider orchid of this season, in full flower. Only the one, but a great find. Esperance king spider orchid (Caladenia decora)

Close-up

Caladenia decora

Many more variations of Wispy spider orchids found so had to take more snaps

Size comparison with 20c coin

Only found in 3s never more

Showing the roughness of the petals and sepals

great iPhone pic

Short petals and sepals

Stiffer petals and sepals

Species???

Exact species????

Further along the track we finally find some different orchids. Deb spots the first fully formed Jug Orchid (Pterostylis recurva). A sole snail orchid of unknown species is also found.

Pterostylis recurva

Unknown species

Then a patch of blue grabs our attention. A Blue beard (Pheladenia deformis) which appears to be double headed, however two very close stems prove this to be two individuals flowers.

Back to back flowers

appears to be double headed flower ..not so

Also known as Blue Fairy orchid

This is how we get our photos. Very close to the subject. Wind and shadows can be tricky

Shot of a Blue Beard

Blue beard

The track is getting a bit overgrown so Deb parks the Triton up and whilst waiting for me, who is walking the track, she finds some Mosquito orchids (Cyrtostylis robusta) . A bite to eat then we both set off on foot towards Boyatup Hill.

Cyrtostylis robusta

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Profile showing pointed labellum

First finding is another Jug orchid which is nearly fully opened, followed by some more Mosquito orchids and then a Robust snail orchid (Pterostylis dilatata).

Triplet yet to be born

Upturned labellum

Looks like a pair of storks

Very broad hood

Size comparison to 5c coin

Further along more Jugs, Mosquitoes growing in the median strip of the track and Blue beards in a wet mossy area.

Darker colouring

Lighter colouring

Four flowers.. most I’ve seen this season

One open , waiting for his twin

We then break out from woodlands into open health and find some more donkey orchids and a patch of snails Fawn snail orchid (Pterostylis parva) again in the median strip of the track. Also a lone Hare orchid (Leporella fimbriata) and some more Spider orchids are found.

Enjoying a brief spot of sunlight

Pushing up into a branch

Well past it’s best

Little beauty

Trio compared in size to 5c coin

Alongside the track

Trio

Very broad labellum compared to others found today

Busy inflorescence

We now keep trekking along and start skirting the hill looking for a way up as the rocks look very steep from this side. Unfortunately the track runs out so we bash our way through and scramble onto the rock only to be driven back by a bees nest. So we push around the base of the rock and cross over a vegetated gully, where we find some Banded greenhoods (Pterostylis vittata), to finally get on the rock.

Two quite large plants

Appear to have been fertilised

After looking around the rock we make our way to the side where our bush track is and Deb finds a likely way down. No orchids were found on the rock which was disappointing however the views are amazing. We made the way down the rocks on our backsides as it was very steep and slippery. Safely on the ground we now bash through the bush and find the track back to the Triton. More photos of Spiders, Snails and Blue Beard orchids taken on the walk back along the track.

View from the rock towards the track leading in

Nice front on shot

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Late afternoon sunshine

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Arrived back at the Triton and had a cuppa then decided it was time to head home as it is getting on to 4pm. We get back onto Fisheries Rd and head west, when we decide to check out the track just before the line of pine trees. This patch was shared with us by Deb Witt, a fellow orchid and nature lover. A short way in we pull over for a look but nothing grabs our attention. I decide to walk ahead whilst Deb continues her search on the opposite side of the track. Only found a few rosettes before I see a flower that looks orchid like so I check it out.. WooHoo it is a Dancing spider orchid (Caladenia discoidea).

Caladenia discoidea

Profile shot

Red n green colouring

The further along we go the more we find, however some look at little different with longer sepals and colour variations. Hybrids??? It is now getting late so we turn around and on the way back we even find some Wispy Spider orchids. Then low and behold a solitary Donkey orchid. Being 5pm the light is fading fast so last photos taken with flash.

Flash again due to fading light

Very long petals and sepals

Appears to be waiting for his sibling to bloom

Side view of possible hybrid

Taken with flash as the light was fading fast

Very reddish specimen

Possible 3 headed hybrid

Damaged petal

Very long sepals which hang down a brighter colouring

Boyatup Hill lives up to the reputation of my Mud Map reference book as we found:

Green Range donkey orchid (Diuris sp. ‘Green Range’).

Western wispy spider orchid (Caladenia microchila)

Esperance king spider orchid (Caladenia decora)

Jug Orchid (Pterostylis recurva)

Blue beard (Pheladenia deformis)

Mosquito orchids (Cyrtostylis robusta)

Robust snail orchid (Pterostylis dilatata)

Fawn snail orchid (Pterostylis parva)

Hare orchid (Leporella fimbriata)

Banded greenhoods (Pterostylis vittata)

Dancing spider orchid (Caladenia discoidea)

plus snail and wispy spider orchids which I was not confident to name and the possible Hybrid Dancing spider orchids.

Condingup calling

22/7/2017

Again we head Eastwards but this time we head out to Condingup with a detour down to the coast at Duke of Orleans Bay (The Duke). On the drive down to The Duke we pass the boundary of Cape Le Grand National Park, which has been burnt off, so we find a track and go in to check it out. We find nothing driving North so we venture deeper into the park by following a track West. Amazingly I spied a Snail orchid so we stop to investigate this are a further. Not real sure of the species and only one decent pic taken however Deb finds a lone Spider orchid further into the scrub.

Unknown species

caladenia microchila

With it’s small labellum it may be a Western wispy spider orchid (Caladenia microchila) or a Common spider orchid (Caladenia vulgata) due to white calli.

Close-up

Western wispy leaf

Closer shot of the small labellum

Looking further afield nothing much is found, however on moving back to the Triton I find a lone snail orchid which appears to have been knocked over by a kangaroo or other animal. Standing him back to attention I grab some snaps and then realise he is a Robust snail orchid (Pterostylis dilatata) due to having no rosette. A non flowering rosette though is very close by.

With non flowering rosette nearby

Non flowering rosette

Pterostylis dilatata

Deb them gives me a call as she has found some more Spider orchids. These now appear to be Western Wispy’s.

Showing the long sepals and petals

Full flower shot

Red tipped calli

We move down to the coast and even though we go to numerous different locations we find nothing in flower. The closest we get is a large spider orchid close to the creek so I just had to record this.

Yet to bloom

Full length shot

So we leave the coast and head back inland to Condingup, however we decide to take a track just south of town and follow this till we reach a dead-end in a gravel pit. Nothing in flower again so we make tracks to our old stomping ground, Condingup Peak. (Mud Map SE 39)

First point of call is the rocky outcrop at the top of the hill. Leaves spotted again so we are getting a bit disheartened, when I spy this wonderful hood of snail orchids growing in the moss on the rock. It appears to be a hood of Brittle snail orchids (Pterostylis timothyi)

Possibly Cowslips

Hood of snail orchids

Close by are some smaller snail orchids which appear to be Eastern granite snail orchids (Pterostylis sp. ‘miniature’) . I capture a photo of a possible pollinator as it disappears into the orchid after I capture the shot.

Full length shot

Captured the pollinator

Size comparison to my index finger tip

Pterostylis sp. ‘miniature’

Whilst I busy taking photos of the snails Deb looks around and finds a sole Mosquito orchid (Cyrtostylis robusta) in flower in a patch of many leaves.

Cyrtostylis robusta

Broad labellum

Profile shot

Away from the rocks now on a sandy track are more snail orchids. The rosette is small and bluish with small flowers, so appears to be Fawn snail orchid (Pterostylis parva).

Colouring, height and lateral sepals point to classification

Bluish colouring and pointed tips

Nice brown cap

We then make our way back to the Triton for arvo tea, then I walk back along the sand track towards the gravel road down the hill and notice some more snail orchids at the side of the track. As I stand upright I glance to the other side of the track and there all on it’s lonesome is a Beautiful donkey orchid (Diuris pulchella).

Diuris pulchella

Such vibrant colours

Deb then comes along in the Triton, so I hop in for a drive down the gravel road to a spot we have found Bird orchids before. Deb jumps out and finds 4 small rosettes of sprouting bird orchids, quite a way from flowering yet, so we need to revisit in a few weeks to try and catch the flower in full bloom.

We then move down to our usual spot on the hill, but as we only have 15 mins to spare we only find a late Hare orchid (leporella fimbriata). Time to make tracks as Deb starts work at 5pm.

Coolinup calling – Pt 2

16/7/2017

We move to a different location on the other side of Coolinup Road and have a bite to eat for lunch. Whilst eating and having a cuppa after taking a selfie on a mound of gravel, we notice some snail and greenhood orchids. On closer inspection they are Dark banded greenhood (Pterostylis sanguinea) and Fawn snail orchid (Pterostylis parva). Then right next to the Triton Deb spies another Spider orchid which appears to be a Western Wispy spider orchid (Caladenia microchila) as the calli on the labellum have red colouring to them. This is promising!!!!

Pterostylis sanguinea

Pterostylis parva

Caladenia microchila

On the walk around we locate more snails, spiders and greenhoods. I even came across a dodgy looking hare orchid.

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Twins

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Nice specimen

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Yet to fully unravel those petals and lateral sepals

Long straight sepals

We then move onto the small granite rock area on Coolinup Road. (Mud Map SE 38) We again had to bush bash our way in as the recent rain had created a large puddle over our access. Once through Deb finds some Mosquito orchids (Cyrtostylis robusta) in flower under the bushes so we do the best we can to get some photos. Only 1 OK one though taken.

Finding access

Cyrtostylis robusta

The we head home via one more stop. The granite rock at the corner of Le Grande Road and Merivale Road. The east side track was taken up to an abandoned picnic area. Here I find a solitary snail orchid well past its prime.

Burnt out by bushfire… Never to return by the looks of it

End of the line for this solitary fellow

We then venture up the incline and find many many Cyrtostylis leaves, a few Pyrorchis leaves and groups of Caladenia leaves. Finally find some Mosquito orchids in flower and one Red Beak orchid budding up.

first one found at this location

Very upturned labellum

Budding away

Furry leaves in a bed of moss

The wind is blowing a gale and it is freezing with light fading fast so we make tracks back to the Triton and head back down the track to Merivale Road. One lone Spider orchid I spy so jump out for some quick photos as the rain starts. Great timing to finish the day.

Unknown species

Unsure of species

Final orchid of the day but today confirms the time of the SPIDERS has arrived

Coolinup Calling – Pt1

16/7/2017

Today we headed East . Our first destination was the track off Coolinup Road where we found a few orchids back in June. Coolinup Nature Reserve indicates location of Road.

My first find is two small Pterostylis orchids just budding from their rosettes, however Deb locates some fully formed Snail orchids. I take my pics then go check out her find.

Size comparison with 5c coin

Growing up slowly

From the pointed nature of the hood these are Brittle snail orchid (Pterostylis timothyi) . A little further along some Fawn snail orchid (Pterostylis parva), previously sp. ‘small stature’, were found as they have a plumpier appearance.

Pterostylis timothyi

Profile shot

Pointed rosette

Note the fatter appearance

Squat bloated appearance

Full length couple

Also found were some Prasophyllum parvifolium orchids either pre or post flowering. Then in the middle of our walking track I spied 2 small specks of pink. Excited to find Pink bunny orchids (Eriochilus saber subsp. saber) again.

Appears to have been fertilised

Profile shot

Full length shot

Eriochilus scaber subsp. scaber — Size comparison with 5c coin

Deb found some late Hare orchids (Leporella fimbriata) and further snail orchids were found. Then under a WA Christmas Tree ( Nuytsia floribunda ) Deb finds some Rattlebeak (Lyperanthus serratus) leaves, which is only the 3rd location ever we have found them.

Double header

Sorry looking specimen

Unsure of type

Slight brown colourings

Lone little friend

Very long lateral sepals

Bit battered

Very long thin lateral sepals

Under another nearby WA Christmas Tree I spied our first Spider Orchid of the season. It appears to be the Common spider orchid (Caladenia vulgata). There ends up being 4 in close proximity. One poor specimen has his dorsal sepal nipped off.

Couple of close neighbours

Common spider orchid

Close-up

Lone spider orchid with spreading petals and lateral sepals

Has his dorsal sepal eaten away

Even closer neighbours

On the way back to the Triton, parked on the sodden track, we find more Pink bunny orchids, Hare orchids, Snail and Greenhood orchids, including the smallest flowering greenhood I have ever seen.