Mount Banks. 8th March 2013

Mount Banks, named after Sir Joseph Banks by George Caley in 1804. At 1,049 m (3442ft) Mount Banks can be seen from Sydney.  The first two-thirds of the walk, the terrain is the standard sandstone of the Sydney and Blue Mountains regions, with a thin, rough scrub. After this there is a volcanic basalt plug which gives rise to a different vegetated environment with weeds such as Scotch Thistle, Stinging Nettle, even Forget-me-nots growing because of the more richer soils.


Grevillea laurifolia  -  Laurel Grevillea

Mount Banks and The Grose Valley.

 



Bossiaea heterophylla  -  Variable Bossiaea

 



Eucalyptus sp.

 

Comesperma sphaerocarpum   -
 Leafless Milkwort, Fairies' Wings.

 

Darwinia fascicularis subsp. oligantha  -  Yew Scent Myrtle

 

Isopogon anemonifolius  -  Broad-leaf Drumstick

 

Actinotus helianthi  -  Flannel Flower

 

Mirbelia platylobioides  -  Large-flowered Mirbelia

 

Drosera spathulata  -  Common Sundew

 

Hybanthus vernoni  -  Erect violet

 

Epacris pulchella  -  NSW Coral Heath

 

Phyllota sp. (phylicoides  -  Common Phyllota ?)

 

Doodia aspera  -  Prickly Rasp Fern, Rasp Fern.
 ( fiery new growth)

 

Lambertia formosa  -  Mountain Devil.
 Fruit/seed pod, from where the common name comes from.

 

 Hibbertia sp.

 



Dampiera stricta  -  Blue Dampiera

 



Pyrrosia rupestris  -  Rock Felt Fern

 

Acacia terminalis  -  Sunshine Wattle

 

Banksia spinulosa  -  Hairpin Banksia

 

Philotheca obovalis (was Eriostemon obovalis)
 -  Wax Flower

Thysanotus sp.  -  Fringe Lily

Leptospermum squarrosum
 - Pink Tea Tree, Peach-flowered Tea Tree

 

 

 

 

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

Grey Shrike-Thrush

White’s Skink  -  Liopholis whitii

Bugs mating.

Heath Ochre Skipper  -  Trapezites phigalia

Pollen covered beetle.