Wednesday 18 September 2024
Photos courtesy of Helen, Philip and Erika, Peter and Amanda. Walk report courtesy of Walk leader Rob.
In Late August a reccie showed us there were flowering native orchids to be seen on the creek off the Spring Creek Fire Trail. The flowers were just buds and we were told to go back in mid -September to see them in full bloom. Twelve hikers set off anticipating a flower show along with a nervous walk leader who had seen wallabies near the orchids on the reccie and was wondering if any would be left to see. We were not disappointed and there were many orchids in full bloom, enough to keep all the cameras busy. What is interesting about the orchids is that they are all found on granite outcrops along the creek bed, many in close proximity to fig trees and almost all on rocks with an easterly aspect (morning sun and afternoon shade).
As walk leader I would have declared the day a success but to add to the excitement we encountered two large male red-bellied black snakes engaged in a fight for mating rights with a female who was unseen. The two males were intertwined and constantly trying to push the other snakes head down in a show of dominance. They seemed oblivious to us standing less than two meters away. While lots of photos and videos were taken I’m hoping for a few good closeup shots of the fight. After ten minutes we left them to their business and headed downstream to see more orchids.
This is why we are bushwalkers !!