Guided walk October 2015

Our guided walk on 31st October was well attended. As usual, David led us through the beautiful bush, still green and fresh.

Tuart woodland in Trigg near the West Coast Highway
Tuart woodland in the dune swales along the West Coast Highway.

Calothamnus quadrifidus

Calothamnus quadrifidus

It had rained that night, and the bush was glittering with droplets. Calothamnus quadrifidus

Clematis linearifolia

The Clematis linearifolia is in transition from flowers to feathery seed pods.

 

Acanthocarpus preissii

Acanthocarpus preissii

Looking just like a wattle… but not! Acanthocarpus preissii is actually a member of the lily family, and this is the seed pod, not the blossom. The common name is Prickly Lily, and it definitely is prickly!

Melaleuca lanceolate

Melaleuca lanceolata – Rottnest Island Tea Tree

This is the only Melaleuca lanceolata – Rottnest Island Tea Tree – in Trigg Bushland, and it is a monster! It must be quite old, as it is very tall. Unfortunately it is located adjacent to the path, and the City regularly prunes it back to keep the path wide enough for emergency vehicles. The plant appears healthy, but very few blossoms and even less fruit indicate that it might be old and tired.

Trigg Bushland views of the ocean

One of the wonderful aspects of Trigg Bushland is that unexpected ocean views can be seen. It is one of the few places in Perth where the bushland meets the sea with uninterrupted vistas. Hopefully we never have beachfront development which would ruin this amazing vista.

Daviesia triflora

Quandong – Daviesia triflora

 

A tale of two quandongs! Many of the quandongs in Trigg Bushland have fully ripe fruit at the moment – and very large! In one area there are several trees which have pale yellow quandong fruit. This fruit is fully ripe… perhaps it is a genetic sport. Quandongs can sucker, so all of the trees bearing yellow fruit could actually be one tree.

Melaleuca systena

Melaleuca systena

 

Scaevola nitida

Scaevola nitida

 

Robber fly.

Robber fly

 

Calothamnus quadrifidus

This is a photo from our weeding morning, the day after the guided walk. Well done to Mitch, Stephen, Patricia and Nina (not shown) for these 10 bags of mixed weeds – mostly pelargonium and carnation weed – as well as a number of very pricky yucca plants. In the foreground are Rainbow Bee Eater nesting burrows, which we have asked the City of Stirling to barricade to restrict foot/cycle traffic.