A blue sky day. A bit slow getting moving but did want to look for a specific orchid. Took the train to Mt Colah - good news is the rail strike was postponed. Cycled into national park to drop down to a known hyacinth orchid site
Found a few budding hyacinth orchids on the way down
A nice cluster but nothing open - the pen marks show the spikes
Bike parked up where the rose hyacinth orchids have flowered every year for the last 8 or so. None - not one
Do get views over Cowan Creek on a stunning day
The best part of being on a bike - easy to stop to take photos
This spot us about two thirds down the hill. Turn around and work back up on a hot afternoon. No cooling breeze this side of the hill. Not long before I was struggling.
Was in two minds about stopping for this purple fan flower
Then saw this tiny paterosnia iris - never seen one this small
A few pedal turns later was this variegated hyacinth orchid. Perfect reason to stop and walk back for photos. Not the best photo of dipodium as the last open flower was facing away
Found a budding hyacinth orchid further up the hill. The curved line marks out the spike
Was really struggling on the steep sections - this stop offered up a rose hyacinth orchid. That is what I was targeting lower down. Not seen them this high
Dipodium roseum - just one
The break was welcome. Some weird stuff going on in the body. As soon as exertion goes up a level, pending headache begins and head goes wonky. Legs and lungs seem fine. Always on hot days
Spied this big cluster of tongue orchids. It shares commonality with the sighting the day before - this segment is normally boggy. Dry this year and orchids are happy to show
Close up - cryptostylis subulata
Another cluster - not seen as many spikes together like this - twice. Seeds dropped. Did not rain to move them among. All sprouted
Did one stop on the way back to check on a horned orchid spot from 2 years back - found two plants. Only one produced decent photos - orthoceras strictum. Flowers are small
Location shot under the powerlines
Rode back to the toll gate to walk back looking for a specific orchid. Angophora flowers in the way - a haven for bugs
Pink spider grevillea
NSW coral heath flower low down
Triple headed conesticks flower
Slender rice flower also low down
Budding hyacinth orchid. Disappointed not to find the ones on the road seen last time
Pea flower with an attendant golden bug. The bug is what got me looking
Tear drop flower - a few still going
Pale flax lily - a tough photo subject as they are tiny. Not as tiny as the yellow flower from two days ago
Goodenia flowers
One of the reasons for walking tracks over and over is to find what is coming - Christmas bells budding
Next orchid find of the day - bonnet orchid - cryptostylis erecta - makes 5 for the day
Grey spider greviilea
Broad leafed geebung also opening up this side
Chose not to try to ride back in busy times - took the train. Map shows M for Mt Colah going out and A coming back from Asquith.
Stopped in shops on way home for beef steak.
Dinner: Spaghetti bolognese
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Flora of Australia really stunning, some great finds on your ride. Heat a problem to beat, best to do everything early or late, sapping to say the least at the moment here.
I’m sure that bike was parked there by people like you who came to hike as well
#hive #posh
In winters when the weather is clear like this, it is a day to roam and thus it is a lot more fun to visit places and explore things and get a lot of experience.