It's a good year for the Illawarra flame tree. They traditionally dazzle with their bright red flowers at the same time as the jacarandas do their purple thing. Often they've been planted side by side.
In Castle Hill's historic Heritage Park they've planted a whole lot of them. I was half hoping for a dazzling show today, but it looks like they'll need a few more years yet. Watch this space.
The Red Wattlebird isn't as red as you might think. Here's one in the front yard today, making merry with the grevillea flowers.
Its only red bits are its 'wattles', the dangly bits below its cheeks. They tend to be invisible unless you can get up pretty close.
Maybe it's the time of year, or the recent rain after not much, but there are some fabulously red Sydney Red Gums (Angophora costata) around at the moment.
The pink flannel flower (Actinotus forsythii) is considered to be a very rare and special thing. It's only found in a handful of places in south-east Australia, and it's only found about a year after a bushfire. Its growth is thought to be dependent on the presence of a particular chemical in the bushfire smoke.
When a group of us came across a tiny handful of the flowers a couple of years ago in a remote bushwalking spot (see here: Sept 2019 post ), we were told we were unlikely to ever see one again. They were a bit like Halleys Comet, or a total eclipse of the sun. Once in a lifetime.
Well, they're back with a vengeance, and they're in all kinds of easy-to-access places this time. Like right alongside the Narrowneck Road near Katoomba. Every man and his botanist friend is out there admiring them. It's all to do with the massive bushfires of 12 months or so ago.
Our unseasonably cool and damp summer weather hasn't destroyed the bushwalking opportunities around here. Between showers it's actually been quite conducive to a pleasant and scenic outing.
Yesterday I was introduced to a nice little 20km circuit walk, starting and finishing in Lane Cove village. It took in Swaines Creek, Stringybark Creek, and both sides of the Lane Cove River.
In fact there are dozens of excellent bush tracks in the area, and I'm still discovering them.
This summer has been an exceptional one for the New South Wales Christmas bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum). There were many fine specimens lining the banks of the river.
Here's today's mystery picture. It was on the front steps the other day.
Is it a lizard's tongue?
Is it an abandoned slice of pastrami out of someone's sandwich?
It's a very thin slice of something.
This is an interesting view
And of course it's actually just.......
........................................................
...................................this:
So yesterday I was out there again, leading a formal bushwalk. And it was a great day out.
Here's the view to the east from Liversidge Hill.
Then lunch above Birrabang Walls.
Some like to live close to the edge. Others sat back a little.
Among the many colourful flowers around was this 'Crinkle Bush' (aka Lomatia Silaifolia).
Looking east along the Grose Valley
And looking west
The hardy expeditioners
I did spot this flowering plant over the road though. It's looking a bit sad and past its prime. I'll call it Gladys.
The Koolewong Track is a short, scenic sightseeing track, going off to the left towards the end of West Head Rd. At this time of year it's a good place to see the winter wildflowers, as are all the other West Head tracks. And from the lookout at the end, there are good views over the Hawkesbury mouth and Lion Island.
