Sun orchids in Ku-ring Gai Chase NP new for the season : September 26 2025

Had ideas to drive out to West Head but got locked into other things. Decided to drive closer in - sun orchids and flying ducks there will be and the sun is up

First up - not enough sun for the pink sun orchid to open in the shady spot - thelymitra carnea

Goodenia close to the ground

Going to be a good display in a few days when sun gets up above midday

Onion orchid budding in the mown section - photo shows how the main leaf got strimmed and survived

A cluster of sun orchids waiting for the sun

And down in the sun were the sun orchids - trim sun orchid - thelymitra peniculata.

Cloven hoof column and a small black hood

Twins

Side on - all looking the same

Onion flower in the grass

Found a few more

Pays to pay attention - right amongst the sun orchids was this bearded orchid. Showing enough for ID as calochilus campestris. None showing the other side of the track where I saw them before

This is where ID gets hard. This flower does not have the cloven hoof look - more like a loop. Maybe thelymitra pauciflora

Front on - no cleft showing

Sundew flower - a lot showing

First of the milk maids on this track - spring is here

Red spider grevillea

Grey spider grevillea - sometimes called woolly

Drumsticks flower

Went down the side side track - no sun orchids but the promise of a flying duck - maybe closed from too much wind

The one I saw off track last time was still standing tall

Close in - the spider web was holding the flower in the breeze

Flower spike starting on the snake orchid - cymbidium suave

Not far past that spot is this site for flying duck orchids - caleana major. This one was a bud last time - now a bit weevill eaten

Maybe the one behind will do better

A cluster of milk maids - burchardia umbrellata

Sydney boronia

The ID challenge goes on - cleft like a horseshoe but no black collar

A bit more front on

Baby purple pea flower close to the ground

Last days for the spotted sun orchid - thelymitra ixioides

A flow of Australian grass trees in the new track run off - they will like the new water flow

Found one kunzea for a photo - a few days back on a different track there were hundreds

Mini yellow pea flowers

A big colony of sun orchids this side too - that small black collar - probably thelymitra peniculata. Makes for a big walk - never seen so many

Did look out for the onion orchids on the main trail back. They have survived the track work and are pushed up to the edges

Close up - another ID challenge - microtis parviflora is my guess - the curls are a clue

Stepped back view

Tough photo work as the flower is the size of a match head

And in with the onion orchids is a sun orchid budding too

Bigger form pea flower in yellow

The greenhoods are still going - at least 20 flowers - pterostylis erecta

Makes for a 6 or 7 orchid day depending on ID

Fab grevillea on the entry to the park

Did the shopping on the way home - got a birthday and anniversary celebration this weekend

Went into the city to meet a friend - no photos - ciry was busy

Cooked pizza when we got home
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Daily Activity, House Chores, Photowalking, Shopping

Height 183.0 cm		Weight 90.0 kg		Body Fat %
Waist cm		Thighs cm		Chest cm