Weather break walk to Apple Tree Bay - two orchids : May 27 2026
It is another grey rainy day. Got to say I am over it. Dropped my wife off at the station. Had in my mind to go back to sleep. Checked the weather forecast - looks like there will be a weather break before more big rain
A flash of blue sky above Gordon Station - catching a train to walk a track in Ku-ring Gai Chase NP.
New signage - last time there was a track closed sign. Hoping the track to Apple Tree Bay is now open - been 3 years now. There are orchids I want to see
Part of the reason for not walking this track recently. They did a hazard reduction burn a few weeks back - left side was burned. Makes an out and back walk focus on the one side
Coral heath flower
A touch of pink on NSW coral heath flower
Good light for a mimosa flower shot - did not wash out the fineness of the tendrils
A few pine-leafed gebungs flowering - feels late
Cryptostylis orchid leaf - did not check the back but thinking subulata
A mushroom day it was - pink to start
Purple dampiera - also a bit late
It is banksia time
Parasol mushroom - like a paper Japanese umbrella
Tiny mushroom in reddish colour
Long walk to get the first signs or rainforest orchids - just after the sheoak ends
First orchid of the day is an ID challenge. Plant is small. No calli on the labellum - leaning to small mosquito orchid - acianthus puslillis
Lomandra just opening - adds to the yellow for the day
ID is easier for this - green calli on the labellum and a wider helmet - acianthus fornicatus - pixie caps orchid
Opening up view of Apple Tree Bay - good to see some blue
Path drops away behind some big rock slabs - rock orchids looking more healthy than mine at home - no wrinkles
Looking over the top to a cluster of cestichis reflexa plants - hard to tellnif there are flowers open. There are spikes. Will check from below if it is safe. Not safe to get closer from above
Right at the view from above were these purple mushrooms - shaping to break out
Opened out
These white mushrooms on the access point from below
The shot from below - zoom might reveal a flower open. Did see one
Was hoping to find greenhood orchids open - leaves - yes - maybe nodding greenhood
Becomes an ID test - long pedicels and veining say the same
These are not the same - different shape and no veining. Maybe a bunochilus in a known spot
Easier - budding helmet orchid
Did find more greenhood rosettes than previous walks
Waratah Bay lookout
No can walk where I wanted to walk - plenty of people have walked around
Hot steps walk back to the train - hot on a mild day in a t-shirt and long pants and lots of steps
Fungal form
Three green furry mushrooms in a row - not seen green like this
Well it was more than green. They start green - then go orange
Perfectly formed banksia rosette fallen from above. Could not spy them above
Great banksia display across the gap
Closer in
One purple fan flower - also late
Last mushroom for the day
So sweaty at station after a quick walk to make the train - stripped off t-shirt and put the fleece back
Doubt I will walk this again - a long walk for not a lot of orchids. Will wait for track opening below or walk around track closed signs
Picked my wife up from train - overheated quite sick. No dinner needed
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Height183 cm | Weight90 kg | Body Fat% | |||
Waistcm | Thighscm | Chestcm |