Copper beard orchid (Calochilus campestris) variations north of Mallacoota, VIC. Good numbers of this widespread and variable species out in roadside heathland at the start of November - with a nice range of beard styles on show!

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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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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