Blue Mountains orchids from Sassafras Gully : July 4 2024

Another late night watching Tour de France. Did not watch to the end to see Mark Cavendish crack the record of 34 stage wins. Amazing. Got to get moving early as we are heading to Blue Mountains again for a lunch event - train this time

Train to Springwood - lower down the mountain than our weekend visit. Took the chance to walk - access to the bush directly below the high street

I have walked this before - this time the year before - did find orchids then

Did find nodding greenhoods a little closer than last time - first orchid of the day

Nodding greenhood - not quite in focus in low light but it was the first

Next colony had a good twenty in flower - photo focus us hard - the rosettes maybe

These orchids attract pollinators by pheromone smells. Often the insect is trapped - they then gobble their way out

There were candidates which allowed focus to work - pterostylis nutans

View back up the gully at first cross track - nice framing with the fallen tree and the rock waterfall face above

Next colony down showing the rosette - note the long leaf stalks - a nutans character

Over the top angle showing the labellum well

Creek running gently in the gully - true rainforest

Chiloglottis orchid leaves lower down - no buds

A few mushrooms - mostly like this one

2nd orchid type of the day - pixie caps orchid with helmet narrower than normal - could almost be acianthus exsertus and not fornicatus

Orchid 3 - cobra greenhood

Side on just showing the labellum - pterostylis grandiflora

Glossy mushroom look - different to the others perhaps

This is definitely acianthus fornicatus - pixie caps orchids with hairy labellum and wide helmet and purple stripes

Mini mushrooms on a mossy bank

Good walk - only went down maybe 800 metres - was hot walk back up. Stripped down to shirt sleeves. Body was not happy - steps - altitude. Took a few stops

Back to pub just in time to place food orders. Food was not as good as the last visit with prices up a lot. Always good to catch up with old friends - former colleagues of my wife going back 40 years plus.

Train back felt more comfortable than going up - maybe less heated train.

Snack dinner. With US markets closed not much activity. Pending order to sell LUVE.MI hit for a quick profit

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Daily Activity, House Chores, Photowalking