Hassans Lookout - Lithgow. 11th October 2013.

The main reason for today's destination was because of a sign at the lookout which states that there are some 50 species of orchid to found here. I think that I will have to make several more trips to find the other 47.

Temperatures, some 9 degrees cooler than home, made this a pleasant place to be on this hot spring day.

Foot note: I believe this area has been spared in the recent bushfires around Lithgow (23/10/2013).

 

Click on photos to enlarge.

 

 

One of the Native Pea Flowers (family Fabaceae) but not sure which one.

 

Thelionema caespitosum  - 
Tufted Blue Lily,  Tufted Lily.

 

Rupicola apiculata   (no common name).

 

Leucochrysum albicans  -  Hoary Sunray.

 

Daviesia latifolia  - Broad-leaf Bitter-pea, Hop Bitter-pea.

 

Ozothamnus diosmifolius  -
 Rice Flower, White Dogwood, Pill Flower, Sago Bush, Ball Everlasting.

 

Pretty sure this is Thelymitra pauciflora
- Slender Sun Orchid.

Pretty sure this is the white form of Thelymitra pauciflora -
 Slender Sun Orchid, as above.

 

Phebalium squamulosum subsp. ozothamnoides  -
  Everlasting Pheballium,  Alpine Phebalium.

 

Stypandra glauca  -  Nodding Blue Lily.

 

Xerochrysum viscosum  - 
Sticky Everlasting, Yellow Paper Daisy, Shiny Everlasting.

 

Stegostyla gracilis  -  Musky Caladenia.

Stegostyla gracilis  -  Musky Caladenia, as above.



Conospermum ellipticum  -  Coneseeds,  Heath Smokebush.

 

Philotheca obovalis  -  Silky Wax-flower, Fairy Wax-flower.

 

Patersonia sericea  -  Native Iris, Silky Purple Flag.
This was growing out of the rock-face.

 

Leptospermum sp.       (can anyone tell me if this is  L.blakelyi )  not sure.

 

A collection of Lichens.

 

Thelymitra ixioides  - Spotted Sun Orchid, Blue Sun Orchid.

 

Daviesia ulicifolia  -  Gorse Bitter Pea.

 

Hibbertia empetrifolia  -  Trailing Guinea Flower. (not 100% sure).

Boronia microphylla  -  Small Leaf Boronia.

TODAY'S  LANDSCAPE / HABITAT.



Hassans Walls Lookout is the highest in the Blue Mountains at approx. 1,100 metres (3600ft).

 

 

 

When is a seat not a seat.

 

 

The plants were photographed on the points left and right, and behind and under this point.

Hassans Walls, from the 'Second Lookout'.

FEATHERS, FUR and FANG.                 Some Of The Wildlife Seen Today.

 

Beetle could be a Procrisina sp. (Leaf Beetle).
The oil glands in the Tea Tree leaf can be easily see back lit by the sun.

Stigmodera macularia, one of the Jewel Beetles.

2 species of Leptomyrmex ants.

Ants looking for a meal on a everlasting daisy.

Not sure if it's a wasp or a bee.

A fly also drops in.

I only have eyes for you.

Nest of a Rock Warbler, hanging from the ceiling in the old toilet block.

One of the Bee Flies.

Could have been tonight's dinner.

I'm sure I had 2 arms when I left home.
At the closed 'Second Lookout'.