It wasn’t FOMO that resulted in me driving towards Welly Dam at first light. The trip was certainly not for a climb. That would have been dumb after what happened on the last visit just a few weeks back. Climbing aside, during that last trip with Howsie we were lucky to see some great orchids. At that time I explained the features to look for to help identify them. He’d use this new found knowledge early this week to recognise some Swamp Bunny Orchid (Eriochilus helonomos), during a work trip along the bank of the Collie River:
A species that has alluded me to date. I could have used his direction to find them. However, it felt a bit excessive to drive the approximately three hour round trip, for no other purpose. Instead, and because he had spotted them on the South Branch of the Collie River, I hoped they could also be on banks of the main branch of the Collie River. Hence why I was heading to Wellington National Park. Lisa had a morning full of stuff that she wasn’t to crack on with, so I went solo. Making it that bit easier to sneak out and arrive at first light:
Getting there early, when it was not so bright, had other bonuses. This place has got very popular. Not just with the hikers, but also the mountain bikers. Many of what used to be great trails to wander along peacefully are now dual use. So you need to keep an eye out for those travelling on two wheels, more often than not dressed in Lycra, who tend to go that bit faster. The roads were mostly quiet but a car tailgated me most of the way into the park. Seemingly not caring that if I had to brake suddenly they would likely have rear ended me:
They pulled up alongside me in the parking area that was devoid of anyone else, and a woman hopped out to get ready for a walk. After a polite hello I left her to it and went ahead. I didn’t see her again, so I guess her walking pace did not match her driving pace. I must admit I kept a pretty good speed. Keeping an eye out along the way, but also keen for some mileage. Much as I was keen to spy some orchids, after what Howsie had told me yesterday, a few days earlier I had already decided to have a longer hike to get a bit of a cardio workout:
I’ll get to the orchids later, as the stars of the day were the fungi. A couple of images up is one from the Boletus genus, which is as far as I have managed to get with it. The giveaway for the genus being under the cap. A mass of porous almost honeycomb looking flesh, as opposed to the neat radial lines of gills. I started along the river walk from the Honeymoon Pool end, and it took just over an hour to get to Welly Dam. The longest I stopped was when for a Tammar Wallaby (Notamacropus eugenii), two in fact and both observed me as much as I did them:
They are the smallest of the seven living species in the genus Notamacropus, and have a couple of special qualities. This includes having colour vision, using less energy than most when hopping, and also being able to drink sea water. The latter being in their favour due to the Collie River suffering from inland salinity. Not reaching ocean salinity levels of 35,000mg/L, but being over double, and at times triple, what is considered the levels for fresh water. There used to be an eighth species, sadly after colonisation the species only lasted another 85 years:
Moving on, the second fungi image may be of a Dark Melanoleuca (Melanoleuca cf. fusca). That is according to a fungi field guide of the general area that I have a copy of. My web searches hoover suggest maybe not, and hasn’t helped to suggest what it may be. For me, identifying fungi feels like working on a really tricky puzzle. Of which I have one that is still in the box, unopened. The image is a little like the above one, but instead of Jarrah and Marri trees, it is of the taller Karri trees found further south in the Boranup Forest:
This time my field guide hasn’t helped me one bit with the above find, and after lots of research I may have to admit defeat. But just like puzzling if you keep going eventually you’ll find a piece that fits. Although to be fair there really is no mistaking the below, and very aptly named, Egg Yolk Fungus (Bolbitius titubans) for anything else. It would seem I was lucky with my timing to see them in all their glory. Several sites suggest they typically live for no more than 24 hours, making it one of the shortest-lived mushrooms:
Finding natures wonders will so often happen when you are in the right place at the right time, so to a degree is a bit of luck. For example all those great orchids Howsie and I saw just two weeks, at the top of the walls we climb, were gone. However, with time you build up a knowledge base of what you have found and where. Mind you I do feel going back to the same places takes away some of the fun of the hunt. Today’s hunt scored me more Common and Crinkle-Leafed Bunny Orchids, both of which I have already seen this season:
I also added the Easter Bunny Orchid (Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. magnus) and above White Bunny Orchid (Eriochilus dilatatus). Increasing my chance of luck today by walking back on the tracks higher in the landscape, through differing vegetation and soil types. This also assisted in me working up a bit more of a sweat on a ten mile, or so, circuit up and down the hills. All that said maybe next year I won’t rely on luck alone, and may dip into Howsie’s beta to see the Swamp Bunny. For now however I can safely say I do not have fear of missing orchids:
Sandbagged 