Botanic Gardens visit

[calissa]

A couple of weeks ago, my sister got a new camera (having ruined her old one by falling in a stream while photographing a wedge-tailed eagle nest). Since she needed to take the new camera on a test run, the two of us headed out to the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

Despite the sign, we didn't see any snakes, only Gippsland Water Dragons.

This Red Wattle Bird teased me for ages before I finally got a decent shot.

I almost walked right past this Macleay's Swallowtail.

The flowers were in fine form. We caught this Sturt Desert Pea in a pot by the book shop. I seem to recall they usually flower in winter.

The kangaroo paw also looked stunning in multiple colours, though these red ones were my favourite.

However, it was the waratahs that really stole the show.

We wrapped up the day with a wander through the rainforest section.

Comments

[forestofglory]

Thanks for sharing! These photos are so pretty!

[calissa]

My pleasure!

[pantha]

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing! <3

[calissa]

I'm glad you liked them!

[sine_nomine]

Remarkable! So sorry to hear of the other camera's demise but what a lovely way to take the new one for a test drive. Glad your sister suggested the outing! I love getting to see all these things I wouldn't otherwise even know existed.

[calissa]

The loss of the camera (and the giant lens that went with it) was rather unfortunate, but it worked out in the end.

I'm so glad to be bringing you new things!

[wispywillow]

Such a sunny day really made the photos vibrant and beautiful! I especially liked the ferny leaves of the rainforest section.

[calissa]

It was a very lovely day! And thank you.

[onewhitecrow]

O_O Warratah. That's some stunning photography colour/composition-wise right there.

Australia must be covered in those signs, useful as they seem...

Oh, oh. Such a beautiful orange-throated dragon, and that wattlebird with the beautiful bush...is that some kind of broom, or what is it?

Can you grow those peas in your pots? Are they edible?

Oh, and a lovely fern. Ferns are one of those things, like pine forests, where it's keenly demonstrated that nature is beautiful, but the sense of that is hard to capture. A good one for post/That Holiday cards, if you're making 'em, as is the first warratah image.

[calissa]

I think the waratah's scientific name is Telopia. I haven't yet learned to distinguish the different kinds (partly because I am a little south of their natural range). And thank you for the suggestion about the first waratah photo. It had crossed my mind to turn that one into a card, so perhaps I will go ahead with it.

While Australia isn't covered with snake warning signs, the Gardens certainly can be in summer. The wetland sanctuary at the national park also has some up at the gates, though it doesn't mark specific areas.

Unfortunately, I'm not quite sure what bush the wattlebird is eating from. I didn't want to scare the bird off by going up to search for a label.

As for the Sturt Desert Peas, I suspect I would not be able to grow them in pots, as my skill just isn't up to it. However, the dry climate here would probably make it a little easier. Apparently, they are not ideal for eating.

I also took some photos of the fern fiddleheads, but they didn't turn out (I'm still learning how to use the camera properly and adjust for low light conditions).

[onewhitecrow]

I only know what they are because I had a book of Gulpilil's traditional stories as a kid, I didn't know there were different sorts. Unless the rare white ones not bled upon by a dying native pigeon in the Dreamtime are botanically a different sort. Anyway, the arresting arrangement of that first one really would make an excellent card, it's a high-quality shot.

They probably ran out before they could put one everywhere someone ever saw a snake. [nod] More seriously, they probably like the nice quiet undergrowth and regular waterings, that sounds a pretty cushy life for a snake.

Oh, I didn't know you weren't good at plants...still, if they can do it at the gardens maybe you can keep pictures instead of flowers, that's still a gain to you if not to the bees. Alas that the pretty things bear untasty fruits!

Heh, well if you hadn't told me that I wouldn't know...hey, is taking pictures in woodlands something you mean to practice a bit?

[calissa]

Unless the rare white ones not bled upon by a dying native pigeon in the Dreamtime are botanically a different sort.

Not that I can tell. There are some white cultivars, but they remain rare.

Oh, I didn't know you weren't good at plants

I'm middling with plants, but Sturt Desert Peas would be tricky. On the other hand, I did a whole lot better with orchids than I expected to, so perhaps if I get the opportunity to try I'll give it a go. It's definitely not a widely available plant.

hey, is taking pictures in woodlands something you mean to practice a bit?

I'm definitely working on it!

[onewhitecrow]

I've not heard of an easy orchid, myself. Maybe this place would save you some peas from their plant if you bought something in their shop? Or you could go whenever the peas naturally drop and pick some off the ground.

Hmm...and would you say your woodlands are much like those near Sydney? I might e-mail you about something if so.

[calissa]

I've not heard of an easy orchid, myself.

Once I cracked the light requirements, they have hardly stopped flowering. Now I'm working on making sure they get enough fertiliser.

Maybe this place would save you some peas from their plant if you bought something in their shop?

They have sale days! It's a way to raise money for the gardens and propagate more native plants. I should find out when the next one is on. I don't know that they would sell any of the Sturt Desert Peas, but it would be fun to check out what they have.

I think there are a few patches where our woodlands are similar, but on the whole we are further inland and get quite a bit less rain. However, it's possible I might still be able to help? I do have a friend who is a vet who lives in that region.

[onewhitecrow]

Happy orchids!

Oh, then they might have some ready-seeded, if they did...surely lots of other exciting natives, though!

Ach, no, it's nothing so important that I should put someone out for it - just toying with the idea of running a round of Convicts & Cthulhu online and I like to make little banners for chapter headings, is all. I was thinking to pay you in kind, and I'd not approach a stranger with that. [headbob] Thanks for being willing, though.

[calissa]

The Botanic Gardens does have a section for Sydney-region woodlands. I'll see what I can come up with next time I'm passing through.