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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Tuesday 15 December 2020

Summer colour in the south west Western Australian bush - Manea Park

 I have always said that there is always something flowering in the Western Australian bush. And it is true even in summer.

Those of you who follow my blog will know that I am a wildflower hunter, and I feel incredibly lucky to live in Western Australia. 

There are more than 12,000 species of wildflowers in Western Australia, making it the world’s largest collection.....60% of Western Australian wildflowers are found nowhere else on Earth. 

This is Jarrah - Eucalyptus marginata - flowering spring and summer 


We have been making regular visits to Manea Park near where we live over the winter and spring months. I've shared pics of orchids with you from time to time during my Covid Photo a day project. 

There has been an orchid we have been waiting to see come into flower over the last couple of months. And last week we were rewarded. 

When we first saw these leaves in the middle of the year they looked so much like eucalypt leaves we didn't know they were orchids, but the wonderful people at the Wildflower Society of Western Australia on Facebook helped me with identification. 

These are Slipper orchids or Western tongue orchid - Cryptostylis ovata - a summer flowering orchid endemic to Western Australia's south west. They grow in colonies and four to fifteen flowers form on each stem, though not all plants will flower each year. 



But I have gotten slightly ahead of myself. We had hardly started along the path into
Manea Park when we spied a young kangaroo sitting on the edge of the path. He was unconcerned about us. I think he was last year's joey as sitting just off the path was his mother with this year's joey sticking his head and legs out of her pouch. So cute! These reserves of bush in our cities are so important for the preservation of wildlife and flora. They are good for our well-being too! 




There was not a lot flowering, as it is summer here, but there are still flowers to be seen. I know why I don't frequent this bush block in summer - it was hot! - and probably why there were flowers I hadn't seen before. 

Below here you can see clockwise from top left - Spider smokebush - Conospermum teretifolium, Snotty gobble - Persoonia saccata, JarrahEucalyptus marginata, and one of the pea family 


And here is one of the Fringe Lilys - Thysanotus multiflorus


We had never seen this one before. Yellow starflower - Calytrix angulata. Rather gorgeous don't you think. 


And the Spearwood - Kunzea glabrescens. Evidently it's long straight branches were useful to the indigenous people for making spears. 


And this is the Candlestick Banksia  - Banksia attenuata, also known as slender banksia or biara to the Noongar people. It reminds me so much of giant Christmas candles this time of year. This tree commonly reaches 10 metres tall and the flowers 25cms long. 


You can see it at the different stages of flowering here. I love how the new leaves unfurl - as in the first two photos. The bottom right photo is the hard banksia nut. 
There are many forms of banksia - I have blogged about some of them here - 


The bees love them


Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you and yours are well and that you have enjoyed my post today. Take care and stay safe. 
I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week.  

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!

Hello there! I love reading your comments. If you scroll down to the bottom you can comment too! I would love to hear from you.

13 comments:

  1. The flowers are so pretty, especially the orchids. Oh my that photo of the kangaroo with her baby in her pouch is priceless!!!

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  2. Oh how lovely to spend time with the roos - I'm missing Australia so much and it's flowers!
    Have a happy Christmas Jill
    Wren x

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  3. Lovely series!
    Thanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2020/12/kitty-at-zoo.html

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  4. Never seen before such lovely blooms. Thank you for sharing.
    Stay healthy and well.

    Happy MosaicMonday

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  5. Thanks for sharing. I so enjoy seeing what it is like there!

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  6. Jill - you know how much I love flowers, so this post was right up my alley!!! The slipper orchid looks so strong up close; I am glad you showed "real" size so that we get a sense of how delicate it really is. The joey looks like it might be outgrowing that pouch ... I laughed out loud at the flower name SNOTTY GOBBLE!!! Of course, I loved all of the flowers, but I think the Fringe Lily stood out for me this time. So unique!!! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!

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  7. Beautiful Jill and on our doorstep. I am now thinking we have to take a trip to this bush block - I wonder if little dogs are allowed on leads?

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    1. yes you can take a dog Jo on a lead, but you rally have missed the best time - spring! Enjoy your Christmas Jo & co.

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  8. From all the images of wildflowers you have sent to All Seasons, I don't doubt that claim:) The parent kangaroo really looks like a "parent" if you know what I mean. There's that look of don't mess with me or my child! a fantastic post, Jill. Am enjoying your explorations in Australian nature so much! Have a beautiful rest of the week! Jesh

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  9. I will be content with you going out and getting photos for us as I'm sure I wouldn't be able to stay out very long at one time with your weather.
    Your photos are really interesting to see with the different colors and textures and all.

    I appreciate your link at 'My Corner of the World' this week! Thanks for joining us!

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  10. The banksia flowers are amazing. I would love to paint some of these. I hope you have a lovely Christmas Jill.

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  11. The Candlestick Banksia is amazing, but so are all the other wildflowers. So totally different flowers from where I live, and that makes them so interesting. Take care.

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I hope you have enjoyed your visit to my blog. Thank you for stopping by and for taking the time to comment. I read and very much appreciate every comment and love hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return.