Wildflowers near Peterborough
Wildflower Ashy-haired Swainson-pea
The wildflowers I saw and was able to photograph in this reserve were a delight. The reserve in question was the Greg Duggan Nature Reserve just north of the township of Peterborough in the mid north of South Australia. Over recent weeks I have shared many of the photos I took there in September last year.
Today I am sharing a few more photos, including the beautiful pea flower shown in the photo above and below. According to the interpretive sign near the entrance (see below) this particular species is rare in Australia, and that there are several specimens in the reserve. I managed to find several in the reserve plus about a dozen or so on the roadside verge near the entrance, most of them flowering.
With a size of only 10 acres this is a great little nature reserve protecting some of the local wildflowers. It is an region where there are very few areas set aside to maintain a viable pool of local flora. This makes this .a valuable reserve along with roadside verges in the district.
But it is not just the wildflowers it protects. A few days ago I wrote about the great diversity of fauna in the area, especially the birds, reptiles and insects. It is therefore pleasing that the local council has protected this area and continue to maintain it. As a bonus, it is a delightful spot for visitors like myself to enjoy.
Wildflower Ashy-haired Swainson-pea
Ashy-haired Swainson-pea
Wildflower in the Greg Duggan Nature Reserve
Wildflowers in the Greg Duggan Nature Reserve
Wildflowers in the Greg Duggan Reserve
The Greg Duggan Nature Reserve is on the northern edge of Peterborough in the mid-north of South Australia. For those visiting the town it is well worth spending a hour or so wandering through this park, especially in late winter and early spring. The photos I feature on today’s post here were all taken in mid-September.
The walking tracks through the reserve are all smooth and well maintained and provide easy walking, as well as wheelchair access. In the centre of the park there is a lookout which has wheelchair access. The lookout has excellent views over the town.
The reserve is named in honour of local council worker Greg Duggan. He is a keen naturalist with a life-long interest in birds and other fauna, as well as local plant species. Some of the plants found in this reserve are rare and endangered.
The reserve is home to a wide range of local flora and fauna, with several species of Native plants found there being extremely rare in South Australia. These plants are Mallee Hop-bush (Dodonaea subglandifulera – Endangered), Two-bristle Greenhood (Pterostylis biseta – one record only) and Ashy-haired Swainson-pea (Swainsona tephrotrich – Rare).
On my visit to the reserve last year I was able to capture a number of photos of the range of plants in flower. Some of these are shown below and others I will post in the coming days.
To learn more about Australian native plants you can access my wife’s site Mallee Native Plants here.
Mallee Hop-bush (Dodonaea subglandifulera
Wildflowers in the Greg Duggan Reserve
Wildflowers in the Greg Duggan Reserve
Wildflowers in the Greg Duggan Reserve
Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Gardens, St Ives
Wildflower in Ku-ring-gai gardens
A few days ago I shared some photos of wildflowers taken in the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Gardens. Today I am sharing a few more. These gardens are in St Ives just off the Mona Vale Road in the northern parts of the Sydney. On quite a few occasions in recent years my wife and I have visited this lovely spot because it is only about a half hour drive from my son’s home. My wife enjoys seeing what wildflowers are out and I enjoy doing a spot of photography and bird watching. It is also a great place to have a picnic, barbecue or just stroll in the bushland.
Natural bushland
While a small part of the gardens has been planted by the local council and other interest groups, the main part of the gardens consists of natural bushland. This is one of the things I find fascinating about the natural environment in many parts of Sydney. It is comparatively easy to find large sections of natural bushland right next to intensive housing or industrial areas. In many places the natural ruggedness of the bushland does not lend itself easily to building homes, and in other areas large portions have been preserved in national parks for everyone to enjoy.
Wildflowers in Ku-ring-gai gardens
Wildflower in Ku-ring-gai gardens
Wildflowers, Hattah-Kulkyne National Park
Wildflowers, Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, Victoria
Sydney Trip June 2010
On our wanderings through Hattah-Kulkyne National Park I not only had my head held up looking for birds to photograph, I also looked around on the ground – well, below eye level, anyway – for any bushes and trees in flower. My wife spotted this beautiful example of an Atriplex plant (we’re not sure which species), a member of the saltbush family of plants.
It’s a very attractive plant, I’m sure you’ll agree.
Wildflowers, Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, Victoria