The weather forecast was not the best – showers. But better on the mountains than the coast. So I decided to head to Springwood and visit Birdwood Gully again – as it isa short walk, and caves along the track do offer shelter in the event of heavy rain.
This turned out to be a good plan. The fungi was quite reasonable and the birds were too. And – I spotted some nice orchids.
Here is some of the fungi I saw. I will start with some of the coral fungi.
Clavulinopsis sulcata
Ramaria sp.
This beautiful pink coral fungus was first found in Birdwood Gully by my friend, the late Liz Kabanoff. It is possibly Clavaria sp.
Perhaps Clavaria sp.
Ramaria ochracea
And now for some of the waxcaps –
Hygrocybe taekeri
Hygrocybe miniata
Perhaps Hygrocybe austropratensis –
These could be Entoloma sp. –
Stinkhorns – Phallus indusiatus
Cantherellus concinnus –
Cruentomycena viscidocruenta –
Gomphus sp.
Russula persanguinea –
?
Toothed Jelly – Pseudohydnum gelatinosum –
Cystolepiota sp. –
Cyptotrama asprata –
And now for some Boletes.
Boletellus sp.
Perhaps Chalciporus piperatus –
Strobilomyces sp. –
Boletellus emodensis –
Polypore
I am not sure what species this is. It looks like small version of Sanguinoderma rude. But I have observed that species developing and it does not look anything like this. It looks more like a small match with a white head. This species here was growing on a dirt bank and was less than 1 cm across. The underside did not see to change to red when bruised.
Geoglossum sp.
Helotium terrestre –
Bisporella citrina –
I also saw a few orchids –
Wasp Orchid – Chiloglottis seminuda –
Bonnet Orchid – Cryptostylis erecta –
While I was photographing some of the fungi, a pair of Rufous Fantails were flying around nearby, from bush to bush. I soon changed cameras and got some shots. It is always nice to see these birds.
The fantails were flying around in Shelleys Creek. I grew up in this area and Birdwood Gully was part of my extended backyard. I had never heard the name “Shelleys Creek” used back then. Back home, checking the Blue Mountains Geographical Encyclopaedia, showed that it was given that name by my Uncle, Percy Thomas. After he retired, he and his wife moved to Springwood from the city, and one of his retirement hobbies was maintaining some of the local tracks. He would have put up the sign below. He named the creek after his grand daughter Michelle (so Shelley (Michelle) would be my first cousin, once removed).
Another Bird, an Eastern Yellow Robin –
And a Superb Lyrebird –
Further downstream I encountered a family of Variegated Fairy-wrens –
And I think this is a Large-billed Scrubwren –
Thanks to Liz Noble (no relation) for this id.
While I was on this walk, I actually had very little rain.