Seems I skipped 2024 orchid season

It’s been a long hiatus between posts but life has taken on a more sedentary pace for me. Well perhaps sedentary isn’t the right word, maybe “tethered”. I discovered the inevitably obvious fact that money doesn’t last forever and after what, 10-11 years of randomly rambling wherever I felt like going, experiencing whatever next mission or adventure took my fancy, alas, the need to fuel those adventures as well as myself took priority.

S0, after a couple of short term stints working in varied fields I managed to land myself a seasonal job which has now morphed into a permanent position. Argh….!!!   After so many years of freewill I wasn’t sure that I’d be able to turn up to the same place ever day whether I want to be there or not, but fortuitously, I find myself wanting to be there. Almost 2 years in now and I can’t imagine a better job. Perhaps I’m lacking in imagination.

A role in nature, actively helping to protect our diverse national parks and reserves, studying the natural flora and fauna and enabling the public to appreciate the natural beauty we have here. Ok, now I’m starting to sound like I’m on a recruiting drive, I’m not, you can’t have my job. I get to work with some amazing people who willingly share a wealth of knowledge and experience, and I get to scope out new photo opportunities for flowers and orchids, while having some amazing adventures all over the state while being paid.

However, the main purpose of this post is to post all the photos from last years orchid season. Well not all photos, I’ve picked through my favourites for the year and it was a pretty good year for orchids.

So how did Caladenia discoidia get dubbed the dancing spider orchid? Through it’s botanical name perhaps, disco-idia?

Zebra orchids are only fairly small but they look cool from most angles.

Especially when in pairs.

 

 

The green veined shell orchid almost gives me vibes of a sensual dancer from this angle.

 

Often a nice photo is more about the background that the actual subject.

Or perhaps an animal photobombing. This is barely in focus, but the spider helps make it.

And water always adds to an orchid photo, never let a rainy day hold you back.

And I love early morning photos, the sun at a low angle, things still a bit dewy from a cold night, beautiful.

 

 

Even old litter can add an interesting twist to a photograph. This also gives you an idea of their size.

 

These are notoriously hard to get a photo of as they aren’t a very common orchid, and they only open for a day or two before self pollinating and closing up again.

 

 

I love this picture of a snail orchid and an unusual little drosera hanging out watching the sunset together.

 

This was an interesting pic/angle of a crab-lipped spider orchid with a bud.

 

Once again a wet wintery day adds to the look of this pink enamel orchid.

 

Genetic mutations can create beautiful pure white/green orchids.

 

Same with this lazy spider orchid.

 

A pretty hybrid spider orchid. Orchids hybridize fairy regularly and the progeny can be beautiful.

 

 

Once again droseras always add a nice twist to an orchid pic.

 

This is a tiny pink fairy growing amongst the rocks.

 

A native bee fertilizing a donkey orchid.

 

The red thread spider orchids must put out a strong pheromone as they always seem to be smothered in pollinators.  see the pollen sacks stuck to the back of this one.

 

 

I know, this is getting a bit picture heavy. I really should spread these out over a few posts, but, these are all last years and the new season is already upon us. I’ll try and get a few more posts in this year.

 

Ok, I’ve forgotten the name of this one.

 

I’m making that up, it’s a red thread spider.

 

I love the bud on this pink candy orchid, this year I’ll try and get a few good pics of the buds. As often happens you only realize some good pictures or aspects of a photo or subject when you get home and sort the pictures on a computer where you can have a decent look.

 

 

Queen of shebas are always impressive.

 

I promise I didn’t place these logs, the donkey orchid just happened to grow inside the perfect frame.

 

Shell orchid with the sun behind it.

 

Always fun to play with different angles.

 

 

Ok, there’s still a few more pics, but it’s probably time I left it there. Here’s to the orchid season of 2024, and an even better one in 2025. If you have an interest in the orchids of Western Australia join the facebook group .

Now I should get back to work.