Plenty of this. Plus a beautiful copper bellied snake slithering across our path.
Will never tire of the native grass trees.
The prize of the day – a blotched sun orchid T. benthamiana – the first time I have seen one in this area. Thanks to Kaye’s diligence.
And an excellent bunch of flowers from Mitty’s garden.
Mitty and I went to the Grampians for a couple of days in late Spring, specifically to check out the wildflowers.
Well recognisable landscapes of the Grampians.
So many kangaroos in the one spot.
Looking for wildflowers.
Had to drive very slowly to avoid a head on with kangaroos.
Grass Trees are very slow growing with mature plants being centuries old.
‘The grass tree Xanthorrhoea, aka ‘black boys’, is a uniquely Australian plant, which epitomises the Australian landscape and is as tough as goats' knees. It will withstand drought. Bushfires will burn the foliage and blacken the stump, but then it regrows. Often a bushfire will encourage flower development. These remarkable plants have a lifespan of 600 years.’
Another typical Grampians scene.
We kinda left for our holiday on short notice and didn’t get organised for food. We had to buy in Hall’s Gap at the supermarket. We actually thought this would be a more economical way than eating out for our meals. Not so. This photo represents $95 worth of groceries. We went into shock at the cash register. In retrospect it probably would have been cheaper to eat out.
And this is kinda embarrassing. On the left we have my luggage and on the right we have Mitty’s luggage.
THE WILDFLOWERS
Common correa
I know it’s a daisy but that’s about it.
The common donkey orchid ‘diuris’.
Everlasting daisy.
Fringe lily.
Goodenia.
Green combed spider orchid.
Holly Grevillea.
Grevillea but unsure what type.
Pea flower.
Pea flower.
Pink Finger orchid.
Running postman pea flower.
Salmon sun orchid.
Swamp goodenia.
Tinsel lily.
And sighted amongst the native flora and fauna was a feral deer.
Not surprisingly, we decided that we needed to stay a lot longer to do a proper job of exploring the Grampians.
P.S. If anyone who happens to come by, and knows the correct identification of any of these flowers I would appreciate you passing on your knowledge.
And what did we find today?
Not sure. Will have to ask Kaye.
Ditto.
A potato orchid (Gastrodia Sesamoides), sometimes called Cinnamon Bells. More information here.
A spider orchid, and that’s all I know.
But here it is again from a different vantage point.
A Spotted Sun Orchid (Thelymitra Isioides)
And to finish off the walk we spied some koalas taking it very easy in the heat. That’s a cute little baby on mother’s back but it refused to turn around for the camera.
Morning phone call from Annie. Do you want to go for a walk? If you say yes, you can generally count on being absent for the rest of the day, and because I was moping around lacking motivation I knew I had to say yes.
We had a chauffer – Isobel Younis, it being her 78th birthday. Issy enjoys revisiting the countryside and while we walked, she enjoyed herself with reading and the odd fag.
It was a perfect day for walking. And why does simple picnic food taste so much better when eaten outdoors?
We walked Egan Track, slightly south of Carlisle River. Driving there takes you past some beautiful land – lush farming land, forests, national parks, heath lands, rivers, creeks, valleys and more.
Our driving route – Rounds Road to Eastern Creek Road to Melrose Road to Princetown Road to Fords Road to Valley View Road to Boulevarde Road to Gellibrand River Road to the turnoff for Egan’s Track. After the walk we drove the short distance to Carlisle River to check it out.
Egan’s Track
Lunch time where the food tasted wonderful.
Coral fern
Coral fern again, mainly dead and dried out.
Only saw this once. Photogenic pods but what are they?
I’m guessing a leafy purple flag.
This plant was beautiful. Most specimens weren’t at the flowering stage until this one at the top of a hill. Will have to find out what it is. Have found out - WOOLLY EVERLASTING.
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