Banksia and Midge Orchids in Ku-ring Gai Chase NP : March 18 2023

Our evening was late as we talked our friend through some tough stuff. Became even later as I spent an hour adjusting options trades prior to expiry. We were all slow moving - the only person who did not miss appointments was me as I did not have any. Spent the morning doing the accounting.

Headed out on the bike mid-afternoon to look for midge orchids on Murrua Trail in Ku-ring Gai Chase NP. Not far from the bike was one seeded and this one open. Fringed midge orchid - corunastylis fimbriatus.

Banksia - one of a few types here - time to learn ID.

A big cluster

A little pink flower - size of a US penny - hard to get into focus

Checked known spot for sharp greenhoods - rosette on the ground and a spike

Sharp greenhood budding - pterostylis acuminata

A few more plants close by but not as well developed

Went looking down where my friend said she had seen some midge orchids - none. The big rains last year shifted the seeds well away from where they like to grow. Back down the side trail turned into a banksia day

Banksia serratum - serrated edges on the leaves

Leptospermum squarrosum - there were bees buzzing but none wanted to pose

Did find more midge orchids - these one seeded - also fimbriatus

NSW coral heath flower

Some not yet open - not sure they are the same

Zoom in on the next one - hard to ID

The context photo shows the plant right on track edge growing in sand

Stopped to photograph the pea flower and right by was another midge orchid in flower

Fringed midge orchid - corunastylis fimbriatus

Close up

Tough photo work on a bright afternoon

This banksia looks like the others until you see the leaves - not serrated

Was surprised to see a pine-leaf geebung still flowering

Top down photo of the banksia

Heading into mushroom season

Growing on old timber

One last midge orchid in a known spot on the way back. Also fringed variety seeded

Been a while since I got on the bike. Have a bike weekend coming up this week - not really got many kms in the legs.

Always good to come back with some orchids - better if there are more than one and some budding.

We had a 50th birthday party down the road. We thought it was a small get together in a pub. Was a private function room upstairs with lots of people, most of whom we did not know. Got to say I struggle with cocktail party events - too much standing and it was hot

This report was published via Actifit app (Android | iOS). Check out the original version here on actifit.io

Cycling, Daily Activity, House Chores, Photowalking