Marvel of good rain

The deluge in early March soothed our thirsty forest and delivered some early responses from a few of our smallest orchids. The book Orchids of Bendigo (Orr, 1995) tells us … “while the Autumn Greenhood is quite widespread, it is by no means common.”

Autumn Greenhood

The Newstead walking group visited Spring Hill Track area in the hope of spotting some Autumn Greenhoods Pterostylis revoluta. Imagine our delight when we not only found these but also Parson’s Bands Eriochilus cucullatus, Autumn Midge Orchid Genoplesium rufum and Tiny Greenhood Pterostylis parviflora. 

Autumn Midge Orchid

Tiny Greenhood

The book also explains that small orchids most likely require gnats or mosquitoes as pollination agents. Be assured that there were more than enough mosquitoes to ensure every orchid was pollinated with most mosquitoes already having a taste of the photographer before moving on to floral desserts.

Rise & Shine Spectacular

The October Newstead walkers were rewarded with an orchid display to get up early for. The location was the new nature trail at the Rise & Shine Bushland Reserve.  A must visit this Spring. Just some samples of the many special natives were, Spider Orchid (Caladenia tentaculata ?), Tiger Orchid (Diuris sulphurea) and Purplish Beard Orchid (Calochilus robertsonii).

Purplish Beard Orchid

Tiger Orchid

 

Spider Orchid

Orchid abundance

The September walk today has been spectacular. The rain produced an abundance of flowers, particularly orchids.

I just had to add this Spider Orchid, one of the many varieties of orchid spotted on our walk near Clydesdale.  Thanks to Rick, Beth, Gael & Rob.

Gardening Surprise

Spiders in our environment quite often take us by surprise. I snapped this beautifully coloured male Red-headed Mouse Spider Missulena occatoria after disturbing its burrow whilst weeding.

In September males wander in search of the female spider. Females are all black and spend most of the time in the burrow. The venom from these spiders is similar to the Sydney Funnelweb which can cause violent muscle twitching. More information can be found in “Spiders of Bendigo and Victoria’s Box Ironbark Country”.

Wedge-tailed Eagles

In recent weeks the sky over the Loddon valley, between the Guildford Plateau and Sandon Forest, has been the “training ground” for an enthusiastic juvenile Wedge-tail. My attention was drawn to the family group when I heard an unusual call like nails scratching the blackboard. I have often seen these magnificent birds but never heard them call. The most amazing sight was watching the juvenile  eagle swoop and pursue  an unsuspecting young kangaroo.   It only just avoided capture with a smart zigzag leap over a fence.