Brian Everingham had planned this walk the week before, but it been unable to go ahead due to closure of all tracks in Royal National Park and a total fire ban. I was thankful when Brian put it back on the National Parks Association walks program a week later.
The party was Brian, Valerie, Sue, Derek, Suzanne, Elaine and myself. We set off from the carpark, and soon spotted our first orchids –
Caladenia catenata
And anice Waratah – Telopea speciosissima –
Eastern Spinebill
Eastern Yellow Robin
Then some Beard Orchids.
Red Beard Orchid – Calochilus paludosus –
Kunzea sp.
Then some Sun Orchids – Thelymitra malvina –
Banksia sp.
Eucalyptus sp.
And then a different species of Beard Orchid – Copper Beard Orchid – Calochilus campestris –
Burchardia umbrellata
Little Wattlebird
Gymea Lily
Little Wattlebird
Coastal heath –
Pimelea sp.
Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo
Little Wattlebird
Gymea Lilies
We reached the coastal cliffs.
We stopped here for morning tea.
And where lucky to watch a Humpback Whale breaching –
We then continued north along the Coast Track.
Crossing Curra Creek –
This took us to Eagle Rock –
We then set off along the fire road.
Meadow Argus Butterfly
Drosera sp.
We had lunch, with a slight side trip, to where the fire road crosses Curracurrong Creek.
Christmas Bells – Blandfordia nobilis –
Copper Beard Orchid – Calochilus campestris –
Grevillea sp.
And many thanks to Elaine for spotting this beautiful orchid and then staying back for me to catch up and see it. Large Tongue Orchid – Cryptostylis subulata –
Caladenia catenata
Correa sp.
This had been a very nice walk with great company and all the wild flowers and birds. The Curra Moors are indeed a very special place in Spring.
Thanks to Brian for leading the walk and to Valeri for a lift down and home. Also thanks to Brian, Elaine and Judith for helping with indetifications.