Belair National Park - Orchids and other wildflowers

Today was a lovely spring day, so I decided to go for a cycle ride and orchid hunt in Belair National Park. 

There were lots of orchids and other wildflowers to be seen. The most common was Waxlip Orchid (also known as Blue Cockatoo) 

There were also a lot of Bulldogs, some single flowers and some with multiple blooms

An orchid I don't see very often is Cowslip Orchid

I was really looking out for sun-orchids, and I did find a few.  Most common was Common Pink Sun-orchid. 

I also saw Slender Sun-Orchid in both it's lilac and white colour forms

Another sun-orchid is Rabbit-ears

I was also looking for Spider Orchids, and saw a few King Spider Orchids

Amongst the native wildflowers I saw were Yellow Star, Milkmaids, Fringed Lily and Billy Buttons, 

I also saw Synnotia and Cape Tulip, both introduced from South Africa and considered weeds in South Australia.

Finally, a mystery flower. I have not been able to identify this one.  Update - Identified as Leek Lily - Bulbine semibarbata - Thanks Bec!!

Belair National Park

On  Saturday I managed a couple of hours birding in Belair National Park.   It was a beautiful late summers morning with clear blue skies and hardly a breeze.  First stop was Playford Lake to check out the ducks.  There are many "mixed-up mallards" here, keen to bully any visitors for bread, but also some of the common local species.

This Hardhead was happy bobbing around, whilst the Pacific Black Duck was having a quick preen.   I love the facial  markings on the female Maned Duck.

There were lots of Dusky Moorhens here too, as well as a single Great Egret slowly wading through the shallows.   Over on the island, an Australian Darter was enjoying the morning sun.

But back to the Pacific Black Ducks.  These two were almost side by side, but the slight difference in angle made a huge difference to the colour of the speculum.

Heading up to Long Gully, some more common birds were out and about, including Crested Pigeon, Australian Magpie, and a pair of Emu's drinking from a puddle by the side of the road before it got too hot.

 

Long Gully itself is always "chock-a-block" with parrots and Saturday was no exception.  Galah's and Sulphur-crested Cockatoos in the trees, Rainbow Lorikeets inspecting tree hollows, and Eastern Rosellas and Red-rumped Parrots feeding on the grass.

Ist day of Spring - Wattle Day

The first day of spring is just around the corner.  In Australia it is celebrated with Wattle Day on September 1st.  Wattle is a generic name for a number of Acacia species with small spherical yellow flowers.

Since we've had Kobe, we've been out more, but out with the camera less. Recently on a walk at Belair National Park, there was a lot of Wattle around, with both Golden Wattle and Round-leaved Wattle in full bloom.

As always, there were a few Koalas around as well.

I also went to a spot where there are a few native orchids, where there were lots of Sundews, and a few early Dwarf Green-hood Orchids.

The other morning, I remembered to put my "point and shoot" in my pocket while walking Kobe around Kaurna Wetlands Park.    At the moment the water is as high as I've ever seen it.

The Lavender Grevillea's are in full flower. Usually pink, there are also a few yellow forms around the park.   The pale yellow flowered gum trees are just coming into full bloom, whilst the pink flowered gum trees are just about over.

Kobe loves his walks around the wetlands, and waits quietly while I take my photos.