This post is short and sweet, a bit like my quick scoot round a community managed reserve found just off the highway on the way to Bunbury. The reason for the dash to this spot, which I had previously never been too, will be revealed later. But what drew my attention was again receiving images while working. Josh had been out and about having, like the majority of the population of Australia, taken today off to make it a five day weekend. And seeing I was up and working bright and early I was able to go for a quick look mid-afternoon. As I drove towards Bunbury I could see the traffic on the other side of the highway, coming down from Perth, was already building up:
The southerly migration of caravans, trailers, and cars packed to the roof with holiday gear had begun. The aim being to enjoy getting away for the long weekend, or possibly a week or two of school holidays. But before they can do that and for a short window of time the road becomes unbearable with impatient drivers, made all the worse with perfectly timed roadworks that would result in queues kilometres long. Something I didn’t want to get caught up in, even for the short trip I had to get home. That too wasn’t the reason for making this wander through the bush a bit like a speed hunt. Keeping a relatively brisk pace and when spotting what I was looking for not hanging about too long. For the sharp eyed below you’ll spot a Cowslip Orchid or two, of which I saw hundreds:
But what I was after was a slight and slender orchid with relatively small petals, and in the above image they look a bit like a very small horseshoes. It can flower in large colonies, but today I never saw more than five or so plants in any one cluster. I’ve only seen Rabbit Orchids (Leptoceras menziesii) once before, so when I was told they were at this location I couldn’t resist and had to see them. These orchids are a little special for several reasons. They are one of the first species described and named in Western Australia by Archibald Menzies in 1791, who originally called them Caladenia menziesii. Then in 1840 for reasons unbeknown to me the name was changed to Leptoceras menziesii by John Lindley, which seems to have stuck:
Another reason they are a little unusual is that they are the only species in the genus Leptoceras. Most other orchid genus have several if not many species, such as the White Spider Orchid of which I only spotted one today on my rather fast walk. Having inspected the images with care, I am coming to the conclusion that down at Meelup Regional Park and probably at the Capel Nature Reserve I had indeed spotted the Splendid Spider Orchid (Caladenia splendens). This one however I feel is a Sandplain White Spider Orchids (Caladenia speciosa). Overall a shorter plant and notably smaller flower, although the labellum is larger relative to the overall flower:
Also a key distinguishing feature, as I read more about them, is the fringes of the labellum that are more pink’ish, ragged, and often have spilt ends. Plus it is also the most common white spider orchid between Mandurah and the Bunbury region, indicating it does not extend any further southwards, i.e. to Capel and certainly not the Meelup Regional Park. The angle of the image below is one I should take of all orchids when I am unsure of what it is, as it does provide that bit more detail to interrogate. However, the reason for including it today was more due to the unfriendly photo-bomber. Within seconds of standing still I was surrounded by a cloud of mosquitos:
Even as I walked I would feel them, piercing any skin that was foolishly exposed which included my hands, feet, and head. I can normally tolerate mosquitos but today in this reserve it was truly horrendous. As such I didn’t take the normal care with images, nor inspecting my finds. Walking quickly, stopping briefly, on occasion cursing loudly, and being very relieved when I got back in the car. Just before I did get back to the car I stumbled across large patches of a familiar looing orchid, so only took a couple of hasty snaps of what I feel may be Sandplain Donkey Orchids (Diuris tinctoria). I then drove home observing the multiple welts on the back of my hands:
Sandbagged 