Don Cameron had invited me to come along on the nature walk at Hassans Walls near Lithgow. This was an activity organised by the Native Plants Study Group of the Blue Mountains Conservation Society. Hassans Walls is a reserve at Lithgow on the western side of the Blue Mountains.
I went along to the walk with Wendy, who has a keen interest in learning about native plants. We were lucky to have along with us botanical expert Margaret Baker and also Suzanne Lollback, one of the authors of the recent book on the Native Plants of Hassans Walls.
We spent a lot of time on a short loop walk through the forest on the slopes of the reserve. there was a lot to see – trees, shrubs, orchids and fungi as well as insects and birds.
Here is a selection of photos I took on the day –
More photos are online here.
The weevil above with the gorgeous texture is I think Talaurinus foveatus
You were very privileged that you were invited to join the BMCS Native Plant Study Group on a walk. I tried to JOIN the BMCS and the plant study group last year, only to be told that the plant study group was not taking on any new members, and that no-one was allowed to join the group (or go out with them) until one of the existing members of the group formally left the group.
Concur with Brian Taylor’s comments. I too was interested in joining the plant study group and was told I couldn’t, even as a paid up member of the blue mountains conservation society. It seems that they have double standards / different rules for different people.
Anna – I passed Brian’s concerns onto my contact within the group. I am not a member so cannot add anything. I have asked my contact to reply here.
A conservation group that doesn’t want members. That’s new. If any of you end up down in the suburbs Bankstown Bushland Society is desperate for members.
The Chiloglottis looks like formicifera, but front on labellum is
best for ID.
Out of the blue . . . would you be Colin Gibson who I went through the Horticulture Certificate Course with at Ryde School of Horticulture in 1979?
If so you visited me once or twice at my home in Cambridge Park. You were a keen bush walker then. I’m Gerry Walsh. If you are not he then I apologise profusely.
trilabra – check.