Seeking Out Australian Native Orchids #63 - Royal National Park, NSW

Jan had told me I would find mayfly orchids. I had tried the right turn and not found them. I decided to do the left turn given I had made the effort to travel all the way to Royal National Park. Read about the right turn in Orchids62. The park is inland from the eastern coastline of Australia, just south of Sydney. It’s characterised by coastal cliffs, secluded beaches and eucalyptus-rich bushland. Trails crisscross the park.

http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/royal-national-park

I made my way to the other picnic area and found the path that flanks the Hacking River heading downstream. The views across the river are fabulous - good choice already.

Mission is to find the mayfly orchids. These are a member of the acianthus sub-species which are characterised by heart-shaped leaves. Heart-shaped leaves I found with a small helmet flower.

White Helmet Orchid - Corybas barbarae

http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Corybas~barbarae

The flower stands not even half an inch off the leaf. And it has this huge curved hood that hides the inner workings. I like the way the sun reflects off the helmet.

A little coaxing with a twig gets us a view of the inside of the helmet.

A little further on the track I found more heart-shaped leaves with a long spike and a spiky flower on top. This is the mayfly orchid I was looking for.

Photo work is a different challenge to get the full extent of the sepals and petals that extend away from the labellum. This is the first sighting for me of a mayfly orchid. I am sure pleased I decided to stay to seek them out.

Mayfly Orchid- Acianthus caudatus

http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Acianthus~caudatus

Here is a zoomed in view. Photo work is a whole lot easier than on the other track. The sun is coming in from above the ridge behind the flowers - no need to juggle with shadows.

And here is one with the other camera

There are also the distinctive rosettes of greenhood leaves along the track. The first yield up nodding greenhoods - side on view. Note how the flower spike has pushed its way through the tubular shaped leaf.

Nodding Greenhood - Pterostylis nutans

http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Pterostylis~nutans

And rear view getting in under the hood to show the curve of he labellum.

More heart-shaped leaves and the multiple flowers of the pixie caps orchid.

Getting focus remains a challenge - this picture with the Canon Powershot G16 taken at f/7.1, 1/50 sec, ISO-1600, +0.3 step

Pixie Caps orchid - Acianthus fornicatus

http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Acianthus~fornicatus

The next photo is with the Canon EOS 600XD taken at f/10, 1/100 sec, ISO-3200. The colour is quite different - I guess it is noise from the high ISO setting. Close up is slightly better in focus but still not great. I must say I am struggling with all the variables to get right multiplied by two cameras.

And to cap off the morning bonus of finding a bashful orchid, I get to see some more. And I do now know how to keep my distance to keep that labellum showing.

Tall Greenhood - Pterostylis longifolia

http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Pterostylis~longifolia

Get the first picture right and then come in closer

The notable elelment of this flower is the hairs that go all along the sides of the labellum. This distinguishes it from Pterostylis lineata which does not have them. I kind of like the weird light effect taken with the Canon EOS 600XD

More greenhood leaf rosettes and a cobra greenhood this time - two images and note the small insect working its way around the flower. I had not seen that when I took the photo.

Cobra Greenhood - Pterostylis grandiflora

http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Pterostylis~grandiflora

Had I seen the insect I would have worked harder on getting it into focus.

Taken with the Canon EOS 600XD at f/8, 1/100 sec, ISO-3200. Note that I am getting the aperture smaller with the high ISO setting.

A great way to cap off a good morning - five flowering varieties in one session. I will be back every now and then.

Note: Photos taken with Canon PowerShot G16 and Canon EOS 600XD on July 5, 2017