I got up early (well, early for me, I'm not a twitcher
who are known to get up much earlier — I'm probably hard to classify in any case)
to do some exploring in the forests east of Gembrook.
I was hoping to find some orchids (Sickle Greenhoods and Elbow Orchids)
and check out some spots for dragonflies.
First interesting sighting however was of large, healthy-looking
a fox meandering across the path.
It didn't seem to notice me but turned around back into the scrub where I heard it rustle some leaves.
No real luck with orchids for the day — I did see some finished ones (like Common Bird-orchids)
and some coming-up-ones (Hyacinth Orchids) but nothing in flower.
I did see some Maroonhoods
Pterostylis pedunculata on a rock, which is a little uncommon (plus a bit late in the season).
The recent rains had however brough some fungus (and allies) out.
Second stop was at the Kirth Kiln picnic area and along Tomahawk Creek
(quite a pristine-looking creek through cool fern gullies cascading through boulders).
Unfortunately for me I spent too much time here trying to photograph the dragonflies,
which meant I ran out of time later in the day.
Next major stop was Shiprock Falls, where I was hoping to spot some
Austropetalia tonyana, which tend to hang around waterfalls.
When I got there I didn't think the habitat was too ideal
as the surrounding forest seemed a little drier than other places I had seen them.
However after a little rest among the cascades — its a hard life :) —
I saw one flying up, inspecting interesting spots as they do.
I couldn't see it properly from the distance so wasn't 100% sure for the ID
but a little later I saw where he perched.
I had a choise now of either waiting by the falls a bit longer before heading home at a reasonable time
or checking out the Buttongrass area.
I chose the latter as it was unlikely that I'd see much more at the falls.
I wanted to check out the south-east area of Bunyip State Park for some orchids
but the day was waning (there's never enough hours on some days).
I just went to check out the dam to see what the Eastern Pygmyflies Nannophya dalei were up to.
Having seen many a couple of weeks ago and a subsequent report
someone else made of a visit there and having seen some but possibly misidentifying them
I had to check it out again.
As it turned out, there were still plenty about, though my new camera was reporting a flat battery
at least my old camera has good macro as long as the sun kept shining.
These small dragonflies are quite strikingly marked;
the female
has strong orange and black markings while the
mature male has a scarlet tale.
Even the teneral/immature are bright yellow (no photo today).
Indeed the male and female color difference was so great that the
first time I saw them I thought they were different species.
Only being here a relatively short time, really just to see the pygmy's populations,
I ended up recording 11 species at the dam!
