To find a perfect Cymbidium suave (snake orchid) head up Bullocky's Hut Road until it joins Big Rock Road on its journey to the highway. As you get out of the ute, look up and to your right and you'll see a stunning arrangement by Ma Nature (thanks Gilly!) in the fork of a dark old tree: seven sprays spilling down the trunk. Photography is a problem if you want to get the whole composition, because you have to look up into the glare of the sky. The best shots involved J standing precariously on the slightly shattered milk crate he uses to carry the night's supply of firewood, while I held an ineffectual hand at the ready in case the whole edifice tumbled.
Nearby is a far more accessible plant of equivalent size, artistically placed against a splotched grey trunk, but a wallaby or a wombat has been a feasting on the flower sprays and there are only two left. The remaining thick buds don't have much chance of reaching flowerhood.
I know I over-posted on snake orchids last year, but this display was irresistible, and it's not the same plant as any of those of 2014.
https://morselsandscraps3.wordpress.com/2014/11/13/beating-the-wallaby-beaten-by-light/
https://morselsandscraps3.wordpress.com/2014/11/20/by-the-highway/
https://morselsandscraps3.wordpress.com/2014/11/19/river-road-the-climax/
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I always feel on an explorative journey around nature when I read your posts. It’s a wonderful feeling. 🙂
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That is the loveliest comment. Thank you.
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You lucky orchid-spotter, you! Was your hand really effectual should there have been a tumble, Meg?
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God, I need a proof reader. You’re it. “Ineffectual” of course!
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Fret not, I’m always posting bloopers,…
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It’s impossible to overpost on orchids, they are heaven sent you lucky girl! Well lucky us getting to see them as well x:-)x
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That note on the doorstep reignited orchid passion. I’m off in a minute in search of duck orchids. I absolutely feel lucky.
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Can’t have too many snake orchids, Meg. Epiphyte joy!
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We’re so busy scrutinising the ground for tiny terrestrials that we often don’t raise our eyes.
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I remember that when the orchid passion started you were ONLY looking up. The terrestrials came later. I said to you at the time that there would HAVE to be many of those in your area. Now you are back to looking up and how well you are being rewarded. Your area is so rich in orchids and in so many other ways. Lucky indeed.
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I don’t know whether I dare argue with your memory, but our first orchids were actually greenhoods which we though at first were pitcher plants. Then, because of the rainforest obsession, we began seeing epiphytes, and it was after that that our gaze moved upwards.
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I never knew about those first greenhoods but was certainly surprised that the epiphytes figured so prominently in the discoveries you shared with me. I was in awe of your ability to clamber up and down steep slopes in pursuit of new discoveries and opportunities to record them with your camera.
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You are right. More looking up required.
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A fabulous spray of yellow orchids and no wonder they grow up the tree, safest spot by the sounds of it!
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There are possums, but they don’t seem to have discovered this one yet.
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You delightful snake orchid addict, you! 🙂 🙂
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Semi-control one addiction (in this case blogging) and another one sneaks in to fill the space. Oh woe is me!!!
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Ah, but you’re woefully happy! 🙂
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