Kwinana Rockingham Mandurah Branch, 20^th September 2021

Our September general meeting had the central theme of wildflowers, with members invited to share photos of flora (and other subjects of interest). The first presenter was Chris Punter who showed a series of photographs taken on a recent trip to the Exmouth region. He started off with photos taken during a whale-watching cruise that showed Manta Rays and Humpback Whales. Good winter rains in the region had resulted in a bumper display of wildflowers and this was highlighted with Chris’s photos of large areas covered with Mulla mullas (Ptilotus sp.). Other photos showed Everlastings and Sturt’s Desert Pea (Swainsona formosa) and Wreath Flowers (Lechenaultia macrantha) found during the drive back to Perth.

The next to present was Colin Prickett, whose series of photos showed some of the winter and spring flora found recently at local nature reserves. These included photos of various orchid species, including some of the Helmet Orchid (Corybas recurvus) which was a surprise finding in amongst Midge Orchids (Cyrtostylis huegelii) at Paganoni Reserve. Other orchids included the Carousel Spider Orchid (Caladenia arenicola), Common Spider Orchid (Caladenia vulgata), Silky Blue Orchid (Cyanicula sericea) and Rabbit Orchid (Leptoceras menziesii). These were followed by images of other flowering shrubs and Drosera sp., and ended with some photos of Lynx Spiders (Oxyopes sp.) taking advantage of flowers to prey on visiting pollinators. The audience thanked both presenters for sharing their images.

Colin Prickett