Mt Colah by train-bike-walk for new season orchids : November 21 2024

A blue sky day. A bit slow getting moving but did want to look for a specific orchid. Took the train to Mt Colah - good news is the rail strike was postponed. Cycled into national park to drop down to a known hyacinth orchid site

Found a few budding hyacinth orchids on the way down

A nice cluster but nothing open - the pen marks show the spikes

Bike parked up where the rose hyacinth orchids have flowered every year for the last 8 or so. None - not one

Do get views over Cowan Creek on a stunning day

The best part of being on a bike - easy to stop to take photos

This spot us about two thirds down the hill. Turn around and work back up on a hot afternoon. No cooling breeze this side of the hill. Not long before I was struggling.

Was in two minds about stopping for this purple fan flower

Then saw this tiny paterosnia iris - never seen one this small

A few pedal turns later was this variegated hyacinth orchid. Perfect reason to stop and walk back for photos. Not the best photo of dipodium as the last open flower was facing away

Found a budding hyacinth orchid further up the hill. The curved line marks out the spike

Was really struggling on the steep sections - this stop offered up a rose hyacinth orchid. That is what I was targeting lower down. Not seen them this high

Dipodium roseum - just one

The break was welcome. Some weird stuff going on in the body. As soon as exertion goes up a level, pending headache begins and head goes wonky. Legs and lungs seem fine. Always on hot days

Spied this big cluster of tongue orchids. It shares commonality with the sighting the day before - this segment is normally boggy. Dry this year and orchids are happy to show

Close up - cryptostylis subulata

Another cluster - not seen as many spikes together like this - twice. Seeds dropped. Did not rain to move them among. All sprouted

Did one stop on the way back to check on a horned orchid spot from 2 years back - found two plants. Only one produced decent photos - orthoceras strictum. Flowers are small

Location shot under the powerlines

Rode back to the toll gate to walk back looking for a specific orchid. Angophora flowers in the way - a haven for bugs

Pink spider grevillea

NSW coral heath flower low down

Triple headed conesticks flower

Slender rice flower also low down

Budding hyacinth orchid. Disappointed not to find the ones on the road seen last time

Pea flower with an attendant golden bug. The bug is what got me looking

Tear drop flower - a few still going

Pale flax lily - a tough photo subject as they are tiny. Not as tiny as the yellow flower from two days ago

Goodenia flowers

One of the reasons for walking tracks over and over is to find what is coming - Christmas bells budding

Next orchid find of the day - bonnet orchid - cryptostylis erecta - makes 5 for the day

Grey spider greviilea

Broad leafed geebung also opening up this side

Chose not to try to ride back in busy times - took the train. Map shows M for Mt Colah going out and A coming back from Asquith.

Stopped in shops on way home for beef steak.

Dinner: Spaghetti bolognese

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