The overnight rain provided the perfect morning for a peaceful stroll along this sheltered, easily walked, 1.5km loop trail. The generous November rainfall guaranteed a feast of wildflowers ranging from ground huggers to large shrubs, all situated under a canopy of wonderfully tall Eucalyptus species.
The combination of Hop Goodenia, Goodenia ovata and Dusty Daisy-bush, Olearia phlogopappa subsp. salicina created a stunning start to the mornings walk.
Hop Goodenia (photo by Marg MacDonald)
Dusty Daisy-bush (photo by Ellinor Campbell)
Regardless of the majesty of the Mountain Grey-gums, Eucalyptus cypellocarpa and Ironbarks, Eucalyptus tricarpa subsp. tricarpa, our eyes were drawn to the forest floor where the magic was happening. Taking the lefthand route and with magnifying glasses in hand we examined Cut-leaf Daisy, Brachyscomb multiflora and Prickly Starwort, Stellaria pungens, particularly appreciating the stunning flowers and slightly prickly nature of Prickly Starwort.
Cut-leaf Daisy (photo by Gail Slykhuis)
Prickly Starwort (photo by Gail Slykhuis)
Continuing along the track with eyes still low we were rewarded by the sight of the very small flowers of Common Woodruff, Asperula conferta, a spreading slender herb. Even less conspicuous were the odd groups of Blue Bottle-daisy, Lagenophora stipitata which certainly needed the use of a magnifying glass to appreciate their beauty.
Common Woodruff (photo by Gail Slykhuis)
Blue Bottle-daisy (photo by M Fagg)
As the tree canopy decreased in size and the understory thinned, we had no difficulty spotting large numbers of Tall Bluebell, Wahlenbergia stricta subsp. stricta and patches of Trailing Goodenia, Goodenia lanata.
Trailing Goodenia (photo by Gail Slykhuis)
Tall Bluebell (photo by Gail Slykhuis)
Following the loop track back to the junction of the more commonly walked section of the trail we came across Scented Groundsel, Senecio odoratus. Growing approximately 1.2m tall, this bushy shrub, normally found along the coast and has not been previously recorded by Angair, along this Nature Trail.
Scented Groundsel (photo by Gail Slykhuis)
Geoff and Ian enjoying the walk (photo by Gail Slykhuis)
The final leg of the nature trail, sections of which cross or run parallel to Distillery Creek, support many moisture loving plant species. Snowy Daisy-bush, Olearia lirata is common in this area, flowering earlier than its counterpart, Dusty Daisy-bush which was still flowering profusely.
Snowy Daisy-bush (photo by Gail Slykhuis)
Another moisture loving species, Musk Daisy-bush, Olearia argophylla is more commonly seen along the Moggs Creek Circuit Walk.
Musk Daisy-bush (photo by Gail Slykhuis)
Gail Slykhuis