The car remained in the driveway since returning from my climb with Howsie and Craig on Monday. Having forewarned them I had brought an unwanted guest back from Lisa and my travels they said they were happy to take the gamble and get out with me. It took a greater hold after that trip and I spluttering through three days of working from home, so as not to upset my work colleagues by going into the office. Using the power of positive thinking each day, as I wanted to apply a bit of nature-based medicine to vanquish the unwanted guest:
This time no one was available to get out. Top rope soloing at Smiths Beach was on my mind. But when Saturday morning rolled in, my body said it wasn’t a wise choice. Instead Castle Rock won out, with its more relaxed lines and shorter walk in. A rare footprint free beach greeted me, making for a great not so early morning shot. The trickle of water running down the beach comes from Dolugup Brook. Claimed to be the least disturbed of the 14 waterways in the Geographe Catchment. The fact it is running so late in October is very unusual:
We had another front roll through on Friday and overnight, and a rainbow hinted that rain was still falling on Cape Naturaliste as I drove towards it. Fortunately by the time I arrived the skies had cleared. There was hardly a breeze as I slowly ambled the short 500m path to Castle Rock, with not an orchid in sight. However, out to sea a whale, like me, made a slow path along the coast. Leisurely surfacing at a frequent rate to blow, a sight that was worthy of stopping for awhile to enjoy. Two whales are seen here regularly but as you’ll see it could be another:
The Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis) are frequent visitors. The latter has distinctive V-shaped blow, while the former has a bushy blow. The initial blow certainly looks to have a bushy look before tapering out into a thin column of mist. Having watched the video too many times trying to pick details, there is another option. I’m not however game to suggest it is a Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus), which are seen here but rarely. Moving in opposite directions, we eventually parted ways:
Arriving at the top of Castle Rock, which really isn’t all that high, I had to take five before the next stage. The enviable clear water below, compared to our local beach, looking inviting for a snorkel. The first sensibly chosen line is easy but today felt a little tough. I put this down to being the first climb and needing to limber up a bit more than usual. Nature-based medicine can involve natural remedies and outdoor activities and I was applying the latter so kept going. The body began to move more freely, and while I needed a rest between routes they all fell:
I did not fall, which was a plus. Mind you on these grades and on lines I’ve done countless times, even today that would have been a little disappointing. I purposely did not attempt one particular route. It was within today’s the grade limits and would have even up the numbers, but it is most certainly one of my sandbag climbs. Just as I had when I arrived I took five atop. For a snack, to take in the view, and prepare myself for the walk out. You may think that I would have headed home after what some may consider sufficient medicine:
I however had other intentions. My original thought to go to Smiths Beach was to hunt a spider orchid I am yet to find. It is known to flower in an area that is proposed to be developed, meaning the patch of bush will be lost. Not being keen to drive there today I instead went to the nearby southern end of the Meelup Regional Park. Rewarded with two new orchid finds for the seasons. The Pink Enamel Orchid (Elythranthera emarginata), in an image with a lovely backdrop of pale pink Book Triggerplant (Stylidium calcaratum):
The other find being the White Fairy Orchid (Caladenia marginate). Both were out in good numbers, indicating a shift into the mid to late spring flowering species. Other repeat finds were out but the only spider I was able to find were a few two Rusty Spider Orchid (Caladenia ferruginea), above. I had quietly being hoping to find a few more of the very local species of spiders. In this less than usual season it seems they are not out yet, and the window of opportunity may be closing. Not put off by this I was thinking about another spot:
Feeling like I could manage another short plod I went to the Big Rock Nature Reserve. Only having been here once before. Back then there was nothing that stood out but I thought I’d give it another shot. Quite a few repeat finds and more Blue Lady Orchid (Thelymitra crinita) than I could count. However, none of these sun orchids were keen to open up, despite it being mid-morning and reasonably sunny. The only sun orchid I found in flower was a different species, being a single Slender Sun Orchid (Thelymitra pauciflora):
The above also caught my attention, the narrow leaf indicating it is likely the Shy Sun Orchid (Thelymitra graminea), which happens to be closely related to the Slender Sun Orchid. Both generally have smaller flowers and do not stand as tall as other species. Making my way back to the car I followed a tributary of the Dandatup Brook. This eventually runs through the town of Dunsborough and was also unusually still flowing. Feeling I had had a very healthy dose of nature’s medicine, the thought of a relax and cuppa was now calling me home:
Sandbagged 