Roadside flying duck north of Mallacoota, VIC. Still only finding the occasional scattered large duck orchid (Caleana major) in locations between Genoa & Mallacoota where there are usually larger colonies. Might just be a bit dry this spring to see a lot up and out.

#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Spring #InTheField #Nature #BloomScrolling #EastGippsland #FlyingDucks

Croajingolong National Park wildflowers - still some late waxlip orchids flowering on the edge of the forest in late October with an occasional flying duck out in the fields of pink trigger plants (plus sundews!) near the Genoa River, East Gippsland, VIC.

Top : Waxlip orchid (Glossodia/Caladenia major) + Trigger plant - Stylidium sp.

Bottom: Sundew - Drosera sp. + large duck orchid (Caleana major).

#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Spring #InTheField #Nature #BloomScrolling #EastGippsland #CarniverousPlants #Wildflowers

First flowers out in early October on the patch of sun orchids (Thelymitra pauciflora - or adjacent) just behind the house at home in Corunna, NSW. I first noticed a handful of flowers out the kitchen window post 2020 bushfires - with a slight adjustment to lawn mowing I now have 150+ plants! Quite a few interesting variations out this year so not 100% sure on the ID now - or if there are actually multiple species growing together.

#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Spring #InTheField #Nature #BloomScrolling #SunOrchids #Thelymitra

Caladenia carnea (pink fingers) variations growing in light forest near the Wonboyn River, NSW. These plants are much more more uniform in flower size and shape than similar forest populations of this widespread orchid further south in East Gippsland VIC - and also out slightly later.

I've never seen any other small Caladenia orchids at this location - which may be part of the reason for less variations compared to populations near Genoa, VIC where there are 4-5 similar Caladenia species out in early spring - possibly leading to some degree of hybridisation.

#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Spring #InTheField #Nature #BloomScrolling #EastGippsland #Caladenia

First duck orchid of the spring starting to take flight near Genoa, VIC. These large duck orchids (Caleana major) are fairly common around Mallacoota most years but are usually out in larger numbers in October. Only saw the one early flower on the one plant this trip.

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Midge orchids near Monga, NSW - probably Corunastylis ostrina* (purple midge orchids) which are more common nearby at Mongarlowe, although there are several very similar dark midges found in this area. Have only ever seen a couple of these tiny summer-flowering orchids at this location. *Still Genoplesium ostrinum in NSW and other places.

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Musky Cap (Caladenia moschata) at 1200m in Namadgi NP, ACT. Montane forms of this widespread species can flower right through to mid/late December in mild seasons - well after flowering has finished in most populations at lower altitudes around Canberra.

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Highland sun orchids (Thelymitra alpina) near Corin Forest, ACT. Most sun orchids at this location are single, scattered plants but sometimes 2 or 3 do grow together in small clumps - usually on roadside verges.

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Red beard orchids (Calochilus paludosus) in open forest near Genoa, VIC. Plants at this location usually flower slightly later than other nearby heath land populations closer to the coast. Only found a handful of flowers out in late spring this year.

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Interesting Diuris orchid near Square Rock, Namadgi NP, ACT. Possibly a hybrid of D. semilunulata (Late Leopard Orchid) and D. sulphurea (Tiger or Hornet Orchid) which both grow nearby. Flowers are smaller and lateral sepals are more crossed than typical D. sulphurea forms.

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Late spring sun orchids (Thelymitra) near Corin, ACT. Most plants here have the forward pointing spurs on the anther lobe often associated with T. alpina - but the single pink-flowering plant doesn't have spurs and may be closer to T. megcalyptra (or T. nuda). Have seen sun orchids still out here well into December in past seasons but most have finished up before the end of November this year.

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Copper beard orchid (Calochilus campestris) variations at Genoa (left) and Mallacoota (right). Both forms were growing on roadside verges and wide open on a coolish, cloudy day.

Many plants at Mallacoota are very similar to the Genoa form with impressive 'moustaches' while the plants with longer/bushier beards probably have the best 'eyes' and most aggressive/annoyed facial expressions ;)

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Slender sun orchids (Thelymitra pauciflora), Gipsy Point, VIC. With this variable orchid there is always a good chance that larger populations include plants that are either a) hybrids or b) similar species that are hard to tell apart from T. pauciflora ;)

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Diuris orientis (eastern donkey orchid / wallflower orchid) variations growing in open grassland near the Genoa River, East Gippsland VIC. Yellow flowering forms are fairly uncommon and often only appear after fires.

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Interesting white Caladenia orchid near Black Mt, ACT. Most likely a pale form of Caladenia ustulata / Brown Caps (growing nearby) but no brown tips on sepals/petals + almost no colour on the labellum. Maybe some superficial similarities to C. dimorpha - which is not found in the ACT.

#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Spring #InTheField #Caladenias #Canberra

East Gippsland sun orchids - Thelymitra carnea (pink sun orchid) + Thelymitra ixioides (spotted sun orchid) growing together near the Genoa River, VIC. These two species combine to form some beautiful hybrids at this location but haven't seen any out yet this spring.

#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Spring #InTheField #EastGippsland

Caladenia orchids in forest west of the Ulladulla, NSW. Probably ticking more C. carnea (pink fingers) boxes than anything else encountered along the coast on this trip north. Several other Caladenias nearby were probably closer to C. hilmanii - but all flowers at this location were slightly different.

#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Spring #InTheField #Caladenias

Caladenia ustulata (Brown Caps), on Black Mountain, ACT. Usually the first of Canberra's three more common white 'cap' orchids out in flower - can be fairly easily found at several spots from mid-Sept into Oct.

Only had time for a very quick scout yesterday while in CBR for work - but looked like orchid numbers where probably down a bit from really good seasons - but still a few around in the 'lowlands' (600-700m altitude). Hopefully some spring rain will see more out in the mountains later in the year.

#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Spring #InTheField #Canberra