Red beard orchid (Calochilus paludosus) near Genoa, East Gippsland, VIC. Good numbers out in open grassland this year at this location - with flowers starting to open on a warm morning. A relatively uniform species across a wide range in Australia (and New Zealand).

#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Spring #InTheField #Nature #BloomScrolling #EastGippsland #Calochilus

First flying duck (Caleana major - large duck orchid) of the spring near Genoa, East Gippsland, VIC. Only a few scattered plants out in flower here but quite a few more of these very distinctive orchids in bud nearby - despite the recent dry conditions.

#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Spring #InTheField #Nature #BloomScrolling #EastGippsland #FlyingDucks

Pink sun orchid (Thelymitra carnea) variations near the Genoa River, East Gippsland, VIC. This small sun orchid grows here alongside both the spotted sun orchid (T. ixioides) and the slender sun orchid (T. pauciflora) resulting in several interesting hybrid forms occurring between the three species.

#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Spring #InTheField #Nature #BloomScrolling #EastGippsland #SunOrchids #Thelymitra

Red beard orchid (Calochilus paludosus) near Genoa, East Gippsland, VIC. Good numbers out in open grassland this year at this location - with flowers starting to open on a warm morning. A relatively uniform species across a wide range in Australia (and New Zealand).

#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Spring #InTheField #Nature #BloomScrolling #EastGippsland #Calochilus

Pink sun orchid (Thelymitra carnea) variations near the Genoa River, East Gippsland, VIC. This small sun orchid grows here alongside both the spotted sun orchid (T. ixioides) and the slender sun orchid (T. pauciflora) resulting in several interesting hybrid forms occurring between the three species.

#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Spring #InTheField #Nature #BloomScrolling #EastGippsland #SunOrchids #Thelymitra

First flying duck (Caleana major - large duck orchid) of the spring near Genoa, East Gippsland, VIC. Only a few scattered plants out in flower here but quite a few more of these very distinctive orchids in bud nearby - despite the recent dry conditions.

#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Spring #InTheField #Nature #BloomScrolling #EastGippsland #FlyingDucks

Really nice compact pale blue form of Thelymitra ixioides (spotted sun orchid) in heathland near Genoa, East Gippsland, VIC.

Several of these plants with small flowers (and only three per plant) plus almost no spots were growing together on one side of the track with more typical forms (larger / bluer / more spotted flowers just starting to open) on the other side of the track. Tip of my little finger here for scale.

#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Spring #InTheField #Nature #BloomScrolling #EastGippsland #SunOrchids #Thelymitra

Really nice compact pale blue form of Thelymitra ixioides (spotted sun orchid) in heathland near Genoa, East Gippsland, VIC.

Several of these plants with small flowers (and only three per plant) plus almost no spots were growing together on one side of the track with more typical forms (larger / bluer / more spotted flowers just starting to open) on the other side of the track. Tip of my little finger here for scale.

#Orchids #OzPlants #Biodiversity #Ecology #Botany #Photography #Spring #InTheField #Nature #BloomScrolling #EastGippsland #SunOrchids #Thelymitra