Welcome to Life Images by Jill

Welcome to Life Images by Jill.........Stepping into the light and bringing together the images and stories of our world. I am a photographer, writer and multi-media artist.
Focussing mainly on Western Australia and Australia, I am seeking to preserve images and memories of the beautiful world in which we live and the people in it.

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Monday 26 September 2011

In search of wild orchids - Western Australia

In the south west of Western Australia there are around 400 species of terrestrial native orchid species - out of the around 800 species found in Australia - found in a diverse range of habitats. 

Every year in spring we go bushwalking in Manea Park in the southern Bunbury suburb of College Grove. It is Bunbury’s premier bush reserve and home to several threatened species of flora and fauna and more than 30 varieties of orchid.  A limestone trail takes you through the habitat which varies from swamp lands to jarrah and banksia woodland.

Yesterday we went walking at Manea Park. Here are some of the orchids we found - 
In this mosaic from left to right you can see -
Purple Enamel Orchid, Sun Orchid, Silky Blue Orchid, Jug Orchid, Donkey Orchid
Bee Orchid (also called Antelope Orchid), Blue Lady Orchid, Pink Fairy, Cowslip, White Spider Orchid






The queen of them all is the "Queen of Sheba" - Thelymitra variegata 
The Queen of Sheba is a sun orchid and so remains closed on cool cloudy days, appearing at its best when the weather is warm and still.  



Other wildflowers we saw included - 
from left to right -
Orange Stars, Fringe Lily, Wattle, Pepper and Salt
Banjine, Rush Cottonheads, Pink Rainbow, Hibbertia




Here is a closer view of the Fringe Lily - it is a tiny trailing plant -


I would like to be able to give you the exact variety names of all the flowers I have shown you, but with thousands of varieties of wildflowers in Western Australia, it is difficult for me to confirm exactly what variety they are, so in some cases I have given you the family name - ie Wattle.


A wildflower guide is essential if you enjoy wildflower photography or just exploring a bush path. The two I have used for this post are - 
- Guide to Native Orchids of South Western Australia - by Bob Liddlelow - R&R Publications Australia Pty Ltd
- Colour Guide to Spring Wildflowers of Western Australia - Part 2 Perth and the South West - by Eddy Wajon - Wajon Publishing Company. (currently a set of 4 books covering two thirds of WA)

I hope you have enjoyed this little walk through Manea Park with me
You might also like my post - Where the Wild Orchids Grow

 I am linking up to Mosaic Monday at Little Red House - click on the link to see the beautiful work of Mary and other contributors across the world - Mosaic Monday at Little Red House

10 comments:

  1. They look so dainty, but must be tough to survive in the harsh conditions that can be found in Australia. Beautiful pictures.

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  2. Once again: Great mosaics! Thanks for sharing this beautiful flowers!
    Have a nice week,
    Markus

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  3. Oh my gush these orchids are awesome! The blue one is so rare to find.

    The Rose

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  4. The orchids are lovely.. and you showed such a variety. What would the world be without flowers for us ladies to enjoy?

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  5. What a treat I'm sure to see Orchids growing in the wild! Here we walk and see them in stores with a price tag of $30 a plant!
    I cherish the 3 that I do have and when they blossom a second time after my initial purchase I jump for joy!
    Waving from across the miles. naturegirl from Canada!

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  6. Oh Jill, these are all so beautiful! Thanks for sharing your talent at MM. :)

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  7. Was the Queen of Sheba visible from the path? I am also an avide orchid hunter and would love to see one

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    Replies
    1. no it wasn't Taryn. You have to search for it - best on a sunny day in sunny clearings,

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    2. I haven't been to look this year as we have been away and only just back - they might be finished by now. Usually around end Sept-early October.

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  8. Had the pleasure of finding it this year!

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