More from Belair National Park

On Monday I was up at Belair National Park, so had a look around for some more Orchids. The first thing I noticed was that there were a lot more Spider Orchids about. Lots of Purple Cockatoo Orchids as well. One new one for me was Common Pink Sun-orchid, that just seemed to be starting to flower. Whilst photographing flowers, I flushed this Laughing Kookaburra. I only had my 135mm on the camera, so started to stalk it. It didn't know whether to watch me, or look at the ground for prey. I managed a couple of decent shots, but oh I wish I had my 400mm lens with me! Back to the flowers, I also saw Rabbit Ears (another orchid), Milkmaids, Bulldogs (same family as donkey Orchid) and Finger Flower. There were lots of Cape Tulip, and I watched this busy bee collecting pollen from one. As usual, there were others that I am yet to identify.

Odds and Ends

This post is a mixed bag of photos from the last couple of weeks. I went to the hills to check out the Square-tailed Kite nest from last year. A bird was on the nest, but there was no sign of the other one. Fingers crossed for another successful breeding event this year. A couple of nice flowers there too, Twining Fringed Lily and one that I cannot identify even with my new plant book! Another day we went to Parra Wirra Recreation Park where this Emu (and a couple of mates) wandered through the picnic area. We also spotted this Shingleback, our first lizard of the summer. The same day, I spotted this small mantid in the garden, I am not sure, but I think it may be a Brown Mantis. It was quite difficult to get close as it stayed between some netting and the fence. I love the shadow on the third photo. Lastly, we took a walk this morning at Henley Beach where this White-faced Heron was very confiding.

More spring orchids

Armed with better directions and a new flower book, I headed back to Belair National Park to search out some more orchids. It was showery, and in between the rain I was particularly looking for some green-hooded orchids. I found a couple, firstly a Nodding Green-hood, and then a small group of Dwarf Green-hoods. Close by was a single King Spider Orchid, the first I have seen this season. I also saw Lavender Grevillea and Red Parrot-pea in the same area. Next, I checked out the same spot as last week. There were many more Cowslip Orchids, and also some Purple Cockatoo Orchids, as well as many more Common Donkey Orchids, all looking at their best in the showers. I bumped into a couple also looking at orchids, and they showed me some tiny Gnat Orchids. A little further along the track was some Fumitory with its tiny purple-tipped flowers. The last photo is a caterpillar I spotted whilst photographing an orchid.

Spring Orchids

On Sunday we headed up to Belair National Park, in the Adelaide Hills, to enjoy the flowers. I wanted to try and photograph some of the green-hooded orchids. Unfortunately I didn't find any, but there were plenty of other flowers to look at and photograph. Blue Squill Early Nancy Common Donkey Orchid

Yellow Donkey Orchid

Cape Tulip (a weed!) Fringed Lily Three-cornered Garlic (another weed) Blue Periwinkle (Yes, another weed) and finally a single Sun Orchid I'll go back in a few weeks to see what else is about.

Skywatch Friday

Spring cleaning Adelaide style!!