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
The Snug greenhood in the Snug Tiers, Feb 2021
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 in the Snug Tiers, Feb 2021
Note the family of spiders inside
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
Horseshoe Leek Orchid
A little cricket enjoying the views from atop his orchid
Parsons Bands – Eriochilus cucullatus
Parsons Bands in Snug.
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
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!
