Ride to find North Turramurra sun orchids - lots : September 24 2024

Working on the new train - bike - work model. Perfect day to get on the bike as it is Tribute Day for the Great Cycle Challenge for Kids Cancer. Wore the new jersey and took a photo at Gordon Station

Mission - train to Turramurra and then ride to Murrua Trail in Ku-ring Gai Chase NP to look for sun orchids

First orchid up was a bearded orchid lurking in the grass edge out of the reach of mower man. Calochilus robertsonii - see those eyes looking back and the fluffy calli on the labellum

The target - punk sun orchid - not sunny enough to open. The bud below is already seeded probably without opening - they do that

The other sun orchid target

Did find sun orchid open - ID is a challenge. The cloven lobe suggests thelymitra peniculata

Front on shows the shape of the column well enough - two weevils lurking

Patersonia iris - there were a lot open

Sun orchid opening

Two sun orchids together - the noticeable difference is colour of the lobe. The others were all yellow - this one has a lot of black. Flowers about the same size - could be thelymitra nuda

Umbrellata burchardia

Red spider grevillea

More variations - noticed the spider web and the red dot - maybe a red mite spider

Similar to the one before

Red bearded orchid - calochilus paludosus

Mini pea flower in purple

Grey spider grevillea

Deceased huntsman spider hung out to dry

More angles

Side on of the flower below

Sundew flower

Tear-drop flower - my name

Onion orchid - microtis parviflora - known spot

Drumsticks flower with weevils

Kunzea are flowering well

Calochilus paludosus down a side track

More bug action on pea flower - jewel beetle and a weevil

Leptospermum squarrosum

Back the main trail - a cluster of sun orchids - three in frame - saw over 40 open

Pea flower on a different scale

Hibertia

Bottle brush flower

Microtis parviflora

Close up shows the small labellum - key to ID

Decided to walk under the powerlines a bit and found this donkey orchid - not seen them this side

Diuris aurea - golden donkey orchid

Eagle eye spotted this grasshopper on a grass spike

New opening pea flower - it is tiny

Walked up to Murrua Side Trail - found this red bearded orchid on the way

This side trail missing is flying duck orchids - found 3 open. This one tangled up in a leaf. Have learned not to touch them - e.g., do not move leaf away

Was no the easiest set of angles to get photos - caleana major

This is what happens when you touch the spike - labellum snaps shut and stays shut for 30 minutes. Get the photo in the bank. I did

Easy to see why it is called a flying duck orchid

The snake orchid is pushing out its buds

Growing above ground in the fork of a tree - cymbidium suave

Leptospermum squarrosum on the way back

Did find the 3rd bearded orchid type - copper bearded orchid - calochilus campestris

A different form of hibertia to the others - petals are are bit more in a star shape

Sydney boronia were just opening - got one with attendant ants. They like the nectar

These two lapeing chicks were on the road as I rode back. Parent was clucking away but not too fussed about me

Rode back down the Pacific Highway to get home. Safe enough. Map shows the train trip to the T and then ride to walk and rode home.

Shopped on the way home.

A friend came to visit for drinks and to cut my hair. She is the lady we bought the apartment from and her visit since.we moved 10 months ago.

Dinner: Steak BBQ with salad
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Cycling, Daily Activity, House Chores, Photowalking, Shopping