First bike ride in a while yields midge orchids : February 4 2026

Been a while. Did get the bike out of the garage. Been there since the back wheel was replaced in November. Not really prepared - did have to pump up the back tire at the station

Took the train to access Ku-ring Gai Chase NP from the Mt Colah side. Mission is to look for midge orchids - one endangered.

Grey spider grevillea to start the flower photos - theme for the day right in the first shot - a bug bottom right

Two up for purple fringe lilies - saw a lot like this but only one photo vaguely in focus

Did find the first midge orchid a little further on then previous visits. Just one plant and the first opener at the bottom is not fully open

Zoom into the opening bud. Looks like a fringe emerging - maybe corunastylis fimbriatus

Track shot - the midge orchids are in these grassy bits

Peach-flowered tea tree is a haven from bugs. In this frame an ant and a midge

Leptospermum squarrosum - it is sort of square

One bug here - hard to know fly vs bee?

Hibbertia flower close to the ground

Pink spider grevillea

Touched this spider web and stopped before knocking it down. Tough photo into the light.

Easier light from the other side. Sized about the size of a US nickel

More bug action - Botany Bay diamond weevill

Did get a midge orchid in flower - Rupp's midge orchid - first for the season - corunastylis ruppii

A few banksia flowers emerging

Scared this lace monitor lizard up a tree. He was more shaken than me

Banksia flower a bit better developed - thinking this is different type

Known spot - saw this spike next to the track. Photo shows the spike and its shadow. Standing about 3 inches tall. How did I know? Seen them here before and recognised the bud shape

Yep this shape

NSW coral heath flower I think. Petals are bit long. And right on this spot were these bugs

A tiny praying mantis - one in frame

There were 10 to 15 clearly just hatched

A different banksia - this one has spiky leaves

Found another midge orchid - this one has dark purple petals and a bit more densely packed - corunastylis woollsii

Bug action too - not called midge orchids for nothing. The midges are the main pollinators

Next plant across has the green sepals - maybe they are the same - this looks like ruppii to me

This banksia is serratum - serrated leaves

Next midge orchid to add to the ID challenge - purple petals and more widely spaced

Stepped back view. This one is just on the edge of the narrow track. First bike down this way will wipe it out

Signs more of season change - silver top mushrooms

Tiny pea flower close to the ground

The best part of going by train and bike. Can choose to ride back to a station to fit in with the train timetable. Made for a longer ride than out and back from one station.

Cooked dinner for a friend. Duck breast done 45 minutes sous vide at 145F then seared. Served with roast potatoes, pumpkin, asparagus and peas - yum

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

Cycling, Daily Activity, House Chores, Photowalking

Height 183 cm		Weight 90 kg		Body Fat %
Waist cm		Thighs cm		Chest cm