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Snug Tiers orchid spotting

The Snug Tiers are south of Hobart and last week I was lucky enough to spend a day out orchid hunting with local orchid expert Geoff to see some seasonal highlights of the orchid variety.

Snug Greenhood – Pterostylis atriola

Pterostylis atriola Snug Greenhood Tasmanian orchid

The Snug greenhood in the Snug Tiers, Feb 2021

 

Pterostylis atriola Snug Greenhood Tasmanian orchid

Closer in on a couple of the heads. I used my smoked salmon relector for a bit of extra light on this one 🙂

Summer Greenhood – Pterostylis decurva

Summer Greenhood, Pterostylis decurva, Tasmanian orchids

Summer Greenhood – Pterostylis decurva in the Snug Tiers, Feb 2021

 

Summer Greenhood, Pterostylis decurva, Tasmanian orchids

Note the family of spiders inside

 

Summer Greenhood, Pterostylis decurva, Tasmanian orchids

Close up (crop) of the happy spider family living in the greenhood

 

The labellum (or tongue) is a moving part in this greenhood, designed to attract insects who then get pulled inside the orchid. Rather than being devoured (like in carnivorous plants) the insect while struggling to free itself ends up pollinating the orchid!

Horseshoe Leek Orchid – Prasophyllum incurvum 

Prasophyllum incurvum, the Horseshoe Leek Orchid

Prasophyllum incurvum, the Horseshoe Leek Orchid

 

Prasophyllum incurvum, the Horseshoe Leek Orchid

Horseshoe Leek Orchid

 

Prasophyllum incurvum, the Horseshoe Leek Orchid

A little cricket enjoying the views from atop his orchid

Parsons Bands – Eriochilus cucullatus

Eriochilus cucullatus - Parsons Bands, Tasmanian Orchid

Parsons Bands in Snug.

 

Eriochilus cucullatus - Parsons Bands, Tasmanian Orchid

Parsons Bands in Snug. In the bright sunlight it was important to cover the orchid with – in this case – my hat, to avoid deep dark shadows contrasting with really bright highlights.

We also stopped at Peter Murrell Reserve on the way, a well known orchid spotting site and found a midge orchid as well as a really nice bird orchid.

Chiloglottis reflexa (autumn bird orchid) at Peter Murrell reserve in Kingston

Chiloglottis reflexa (autumn bird orchid) at Peter Murrell reserve in Kingston

 

Chiloglottis reflexa (autumn bird orchid) at Peter Murrell reserve in Kingston

Chiloglottis reflexa (autumn bird orchid) at Peter Murrell reserve in Kingston

 

Midge orchid, Peter Murrell

Midge orchid, Peter Murrell

Anyone interested in viewing more of my orchid photos is welcome to visit my new online “Tasmanian Photo Library” which I have been developing as an online catalogue of all my images. It is a work in progress and as time goes by I will add more and more of my landscapes, macros and more!

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About Luke

Luke O'Brien runs a stall at Hobart's popular Salamanca Market every Saturday where his prints and cards are available for purchase. Follow Luke's photographic adventures on Twitter at @lukeobrienphoto, at his Facebook page or by subscribing to his email newsletter.

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