Show wildflowers, only wildflowers in the wild

Slinky Malinki · Oct 12, 2021

melanieylang said:
Thanks very much ?
I met some real native orchid fanatics, and joined an online group...now I have access to more precise identification (and also feel more pressured to get them right!). They discuss orchids in the same way we discuss photography on this forum, it's been an eye opener.

I also appreciate when m43 members attempt to ID their ? botanical, ? animal, or ? fungal subjects.

Richard_M · Oct 13, 2021

This is not an image, although worth a read regarding Orchid hunting Downunder

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10...ng-in-populairty-but-tread-lightly/100496800?

betamax · Oct 13, 2021

Avondale87 said:
our Tasmanian Waratah from a few years back

Wow, I didn't realise there were different types of warratah. Five in fact according to wikipedia!

Avondale87 · Oct 13, 2021

betamax said:
Wow, I didn't realise there were different types of warratah. Five in fact according to wikipedia!

Alan our Waratah is so different to the mainland version.
Then theres the hybrids created for nurseries.
There's also white ones

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Bushboy · Oct 13, 2021

Over here in Aotearoa, a Waratah is a triangular steel fence standard! I had no idea it was actually a flowering shrub...
Here’s a sundew I shot this morning with my new light

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while there was a break in the wind.

Avondale87 · Oct 13, 2021

Bushboy said:
Over here in Aotearoa, a Waratah is a triangular steel fence standard! I had no idea it was actually a flowering shrub...
Here’s a couple of sundews I shot this morning with my new light View attachment 912313 View attachment 912314 while there was a break in the wind.

Sundews are beautiful and fascinating. You've done well.

Yes, Waratah sheep and lamb, waratah pig.... :laugh:

Bidkev · Oct 13, 2021

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Morning Glory by Kevin Dickinson, on Flickr

PacNWMike · Oct 13, 2021

Bidkev said:
Morning Glory

A nasty invasive around here.

melanie.ylang · Oct 13, 2021

Richard_M said:
This is not an image, although worth a read regarding Orchid hunting Downunder

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10...ng-in-populairty-but-tread-lightly/100496800?

There was much discussion about this on the group I've joined, and it's certainly something which has been on my mind. Where I visit, few feet ever tread, but hearing about sites being degraded is quite worrying and I'm mindful that even my careful feet might not be very welcome.

Incidentally, I find it amazing how often these flowers are right alongside tracks and roads, blooming away merrily, and most people would have no idea as they're practically invisible!

Richard_M · Oct 13, 2021

Avondale87 said:
Alan our Waratah is so different to the mainland version.
Then theres the hybrids created for nurseries.
There's also white ones

I have a few recent photos of white ones. If I get a chance I'll process them and share one.

The Waratahs are also popular with the birds.

Red Wattlebird

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Richard_M · Oct 13, 2021

melanieylang said:
There was much discussion about this on the group I've joined, and it's certainly something which has been on my mind. Where I visit, few feet ever tread, but hearing about sites being degraded is quite worrying and I'm mindful that even my careful feet might not be very welcome.

Incidentally, I find it amazing how often these flowers are right alongside tracks and roads, blooming away merrily, and most people would have no idea as they're practically invisible!

Yes, we've had issues in the past in our local area, particularly with the Duck Orchids. Sure many get eaten by wombats etc., but they generally only eat the flower and not dig them up. About 2 years ago it was also reported a number of Ghost Fungi in our area were also being destroyed. Last year I didn't hear of any more deliberate vandalism.

Image of Duck Orchid (Caleana major) for those not familiar with them.

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Image of Ghost Fungi (Omphalotus nidiformis) for reference to comments above

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Avondale87 · Oct 13, 2021

melanieylang said:
There was much discussion about this on the group I've joined, and it's certainly something which has been on my mind. Where I visit, few feet ever tread, but hearing about sites being degraded is quite worrying and I'm mindful that even my careful feet might not be very welcome.

Incidentally, I find it amazing how often these flowers are right alongside tracks and roads, blooming away merrily, and most people would have no idea as they're practically invisible!

Agree on where they thrive
This one was growing in the verge. I just stepped out of the car and could have easily trampled them
Pheladenia deformis - Blue Fairy Orchid - Tasmania

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And these just grow wild, right upto the edge of the bitumen
Trigger Plant - Stylidium graminifolium

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Avondale87 · Oct 13, 2021

Richard_M said:
Yes, we've had issues in the past in our local area, particularly with the Duck Orchids. Sure many get eaten by wombats etc., but they generally only eat the flower and not dig them up. About 2 years ago it was also reported a number of Ghost Fungi in our area were also being destroyed. Last year I didn't hear of any more deliberate vandalism.

Image of Duck Orchid (Caleana major) for those not familiar with them.
View attachment 912409

Image of Ghost Fungi (Omphalotus nidiformis) for reference to comments above
View attachment 912410

Awesome wildflower photos.

That Red Wattlebird is a classic.
They are such fascinating birds. We don't have that one but similar.
Love having them about.

Bushboy · Oct 13, 2021

Richard, your photos are beautiful man. Well done.

Richard_M · Oct 14, 2021

The first couple are from a few weeks ago. Just for reference to an earlier post.

The last lot are from this morning, out in the rain before work

#1 Waratah

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#2 Waratah

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#3 Purple Donkey Orchid (Diuris punctata)

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#4 Purple Beard Orchid (Calochilus robertsonii)

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#5 Purple Beard Orchid (Calochilus robertsonii)

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jbruce · Oct 14, 2021

#4 is a candidate for

Faces in things (pareidolia)

Richard_M said:
The first couple are from a few weeks ago. Just for reference to an earlier post.

The last lot are from this morning, out in the rain before work

#1 Waratah
View attachment 912626

#2 Waratah
View attachment 912627

#3 Purple Donkey Orchid (Diuris punctata)
View attachment 912628

#4 Purple Beard Orchid (Calochilus robertsonii)
View attachment 912629

#5 Purple Beard Orchid (Calochilus robertsonii)
View attachment 912630

melanie.ylang · Oct 14, 2021

Avondale87 said:
Agree on where they thrive
This one was growing in the verge. I just stepped out of the car and could have easily trampled them
Pheladenia deformis - Blue Fairy Orchid - Tasmania
View attachment 912423

And these just grow wild, right upto the edge of the bitumen
Trigger Plant - Stylidium graminifolium View attachment 912424 View attachment 912425

I remember being impressed by the size and abundance of the triggerplants at Strahan cemetery. Ours are pale and feeble in comparison.

melanie.ylang · Oct 17, 2021

It's not often I take photos of our little natives with anything other than my macro, but I had my P14-140mm II on the camera when I met this tiger/hornet orchid, diuris sulphurea.