On our mid-winter nature ramble we had a number of interesting sightings.
We had especially hoped to find Small Helmet Orchid Corybas unguiculatus but, though we saw a number of possible leaves, we missed our orchid experts and so were unsure whether they were Helmet orchids, Large Mosquito Orchids Acianthus caudatus or Gnat Orchids Cyrtostylis reniformis.
However we had no trouble identifying colonies of Nodding Greenhoods Pterostylis nutans which were a delight to see.
Early on we were agreeably distracted by a number of small birds flying through the bushes, including the engaging Eastern Spinebill.
When walking further along the track we enjoyed seeing the pink flowers of Common Heath Epacris impressa which brightened up the generally dull winter landscape.
We were really pleased to find two with rare white flowers. Beside the track we found two species of our most common teatree growing together to a similar height. We were able to compare them: the softer foliage of the Silky Lepidospermum myrsinoides and the sharp leaves of the Prickly L.continentale.
We also found the distinctive leaves of Holly Lomotia Lomotia ilicifolia.
Honey Pots plants Acrotriche serrulata were quite common here and, with a bit of careful searching, we found flowers hidden in the foliage.
All long the track we found various types of fungi.
Of special interest was a dead branch with a bracket-like fungus growing along it.
Back at the Angair office for morning tea, we were entertained by a female Golden Whistler and a Grey Shrike-thrush in the bushes outside the window.