Yay!! It's orchid time.

Yesterday I was on my ownsome, but not feeling lonesome, exploring the bush around Anglesea. At one stage I ran into a bunch of friendly fellow-enthusiasts, the Ringwood Field Nats on a weekend camp, and piggy-backed on some of their discoveries. (Many eyes are better than just two.) There is a lot of bush around Anglesea but some of the best spots to see orchids are right in town.

The area is well-known for its orchids and there have been several useful references published* to make the life of an amateur much easier. The common orchids were there, Rabbit Ears, Mayflies, Pink Fingers, Waxlip Orchids and  Donkey Orchids, but there were a few special ones as well. Of course I always fail to photograph the one identifying feature of whatever I'm trying to identify but I think I'm in the right ball park with these. (Click on photos to view large.)

Caladenia australis Southern Spider Orchid

Caladenia parva Small Spider Orchid

Calaadenia venusta Large White Spider Orchid

Pterostylis sp. aff. plumosa Bearded Greenhood (This one only grows in this area.)

Caladenia cardiochilla Thick-lip Spider Orchid

*Flora of the Otway Plain & Ranges 1, Enid Mayfield
*Orchids of the Anglesea District, Everett Foster & Margaret MacDonald