Some orchids from my birthday picnic at Jenkins Scrub.
It looks like nothing at all,
just a piece of ground left
to it's own devices
luckily it has retained it's native vegetation
with the help of volunteers who
weed out any imported species that suppress
the valiant native flora that
survives by itself
given half a chance
though we normally do not leave the path except for yanking
out the occasional weed,
grand-daughter was enthralled with the
many varieties of tiny flora
and looked before putting down an unsuspecting foot
today I am just concentrating on the few
native orchids we saw,
the rest will follow in a few other posts
in a slightly moister spot,
this Donkey Orchid
looked very healthy and larger than in
more arid terrain
in dryer spots they still flowers but the
blooms were much smaller
my DD*, the Botanical Alchemist, who knows her plants
and those that are prone to share the same conditions
pointed out that orchids are mainly found where
this pea-flowered plant, so like Dilwinia, grows
True to form, wherever we saw even a single little shrub of it,
there were also orchids hiding in the grass
this yellow orchid is actually pretty true to size
lucky last, this little bright beauty
unfortunately we did not encounter any spider orchids
but one must leave something for next spring as well.
Linking with
and
* DD - read darling daughter
What an absolute treat.
ReplyDeleteAnd a huge thank you to the weed pulling volunteers. And to you for showing us this magic.
Oh my, this is a wonderful post Arija, and a lovely exploration with your granddaughter. The flowers are exquisite. Thank you for sharing them. I have never seen anything like the donkey orchid before.
ReplyDeleteFantastic post and great work the volunteers are doing. Love the flowers shots. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these delicate beauties. The Donkey Orchid resembles a donkey's nose and ears (to me!) I love that the area was left to go back to nature. Have a blessed day, Arija. Jo
ReplyDeleteThese are some of the most beautiful flowers...you are so blessed to be able to see them in person.
ReplyDeleteKudos to those workers who help weed out the aliens so that the indigenous plants still thrive.
ReplyDeletehow very gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteOh, I do agree with EG!! Kudos indeed!! These are gorgeous indeed, Arija!!
ReplyDeleteNative landscapes are Always special. What a delightful birthday gift to hunt for orchids with DD and DGD.
ReplyDeleteSuch delicate beautiful blooms. You've captured them nicely.
ReplyDeleteAnd here I didn't think your birthday celebration could get any better! Wild orchids! I am also enthralled (and I confess a bit envious). Beautiful -- thank you for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteDiese Blüten sind zauberhaft! Wunderschön!
ReplyDeleteMe han encantado tus propuestas espero que disfrutes de mi post verde de esta semana, la decoración del Otoño
ReplyDeleteelracodeldetall.blogspot.com
Beautiful flowers! What a treat to get to see them growing wild. A happy belated birthday to you--it sounds like it was very happy with your family. I love the rainbow in the last post too. Truly a blessed day!
ReplyDelete