A day out and about seeking the best the bush has to offer ..........

A beautiful spring day, a packed lunch, a full tank of fuel, a map, off we go ........ oh mustn't forget, the mosquito spray, even though it's hardly worth it as they're in plague proportions where there are orchids. 

It is easy to spend time searching for the beautiful orchids of the Great-Southern and South Coastal region of Western Australia, drive and stop at any area of bush, usually those marked Nature Reserves are good, and if there are mozzies you can be assured there are orchids. At one of the places we stopped there were so many mozzies we had to be very quick or get carried away.

Silky Blue Orchid - Cyanicula sericea

Rattle Beak Orchid - Lyperanthus serratus

King Spider Orchid - Caladenia pectinata

Terterden Yellow  - Caladenia straminichila

Cowslip Orchid - Caladenia flava

Jug Orchid - Pterostylis recurva

Pink fairy - Caladenia latifolia

 Spider orchid - Caladenia ??

White Spider Orchid - Caladenia longicuada 

Dragon orchid - Caladenia barbarossa

Donkey Orchid - Diuris ? 

Blood Spider Orchid - Caladenia filifera

Spider Orchid - Caladenia ??

Rabbit Orchid - Leptoceras menziesii

Joseph's Spider Orchid - Caladenia polychroma

Spider orchid ??

I have named as many as I can, and hope they are correct, please contact me if you're able to id any, or if I have an incorrect id on any of them. 

These were all found on a days outing from my home in Albany. 

Reflections / Memories / Senses

Reflections are quite simply a picture in a picture, a mirror in a mirror, a memory in a memory........

Reflecting on the past brings it to today and my senses go to work. Which of the memories that I'm reflecting on is the strongest? what do I bring to mind? how far back can I go?  The smell of a bush barbecue, my mothers' perfume, a lover's aftershave, my newborn child when placed in my arms, scones fresh out of the oven on a Sunday afternoon, so many things to reflect on to bring the past into the present. I smell the fresh-picked apples in the orchard at my friend's place, the jarrah in my fathers' timber yard, the ocean when we went on summer holidays, the musk-sticks on the counter of the corner store. The sense of smell takes me to many happy places where I was nurtured and loved and where I was the nurturer and the lover. 

Using our five senses can bring memories to our minds and we will be there; what we do with these reflections of our past is our choice, always choose to find the best in times that have gone, you can't change it, but, you can have a good attitude in the present time, and choose to be the best person you can be today. 

Looking at my photos choose to see and smell the places where you were happy and contented with your life. Allow them to trigger memories of happy times and choose to treasure those times and remember the good you find. 

I encourage you to use all your senses ..... sight, sound, smell, touch, hearing ...... what can you reflect on, what do you need to take you forward?

Live the best life, not the mediocre life. Leave the past where it is and go forward with the memories you choose for a safe, happy, and blessed future.  

Have fun with my memories .....  what can you see, taste, smell, hear, and touch ..... 

A getaway in the Forest

Being free to travel and stay in a quiet peaceful place is a blessing for those who live in Western Australia, this past weekend I traveled to Donnelly River Mill for a weekend of fun and laughter with a group of like-minded photographers; it was fabulous! We stayed in the old workers' quarters near the broken-down Mill.

The Forest is truly an enchanted place, and the surroundings of this old mill are fabulous for wandering and finding the best place to capture the different lights and reflections.

The locals - Grey Kangaroo 

Another local - Emu 

Remains of an old cottage 

Walking in the forest 

Reflections on the Dam 

Beautiful Eucalypts 

The Donnelly River Mill  

Bits and pieces 

Magical time of day to stand on the bridge over the Donnelly River

A beautiful place to stay @ www.donnellyriver.com.au

For info about Ace Camera Club, Albany, Western Australia @ www.acecameraclub.com

It's springtime around Grandmum's Place

The garden and the bush are looking beautiful and the waters of Princess Royal Harbour are still and fabulous to photograph, especially in the late afternoon light. This time of year is wonderful for walking in the bush and discovering its treasures, I have wildflowers and orchids in the bush a few steps from my home, the jetty a short walk away, and spring flowers in my little garden. 

I am truly blessed to live in this beautiful place with nature surrounding me and my own little piece of paradise to tend and care for. 

Pelicans on the Jetty

Walking track in the bush next door 

Caladenia pectinata - King Spider Orchid 

 Irises are one of my favourite flowers, and I have lots of them in my little garden. 

 Blue Dutch Irises  

Another beautiful Dutch Iris 

Seeking the best of the bush - Wildflowers and Orchids of early spring

 I have recently visited other regions and enjoyed the challenge of finding the flora of the areas. There's so much colour around, you just need to stop and wander through the bush to find it.  These photos were taken between Bunbury and Albany, Western Australia, Sunday 29th August 2021.  

So many beautiful flowers, and several stops along the way. I'll have to just choose a few, now lets see what I can put here ......