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Wild Things
ANGOPHORA COSTATA
Commonly known as Sydney red gum, rusty gum or smooth-barked apple. They can have soaring straight trunks or a twisted habit, like this fascinating tree. Aboriginal people from the Sydney region knew the tree as kajimbourra. It is not surprising it is found at Strickland as they love to grow in sandy soil often over sandstone. I have to say if I get any names incorrect over the next few pages. please send me a polite email with your take!
SANDSTONE FEATURE
There isn't much cave action in Strickland that I have found but there are a few open rocks. This is on the Strickland Falls trail.
BANKSIA LEAF
As you drive into Strickland, you will see a new rusty sign featuring a banksia branch. A beautiful laser etching.
ASPLENIUM AUSTRALASICUM
Sometimes, the forest is dark. There was a patch of light that illuminated this Crows Nest fern. You might have a few in a shady spot in your garden. It loves to grow on rocks or as an epiphyte on trees. I boosted the light in post-processing, but I love the effect. The falls run over these rocks. On this day the creek was dry.
ARAUCARIA CUNNINGHAMII
A grove of hoop pines were planted some time ago. Nice neat rows. It is a high quality timber that is particularly important to the plywood industry and carpentry. Natural stands have been depleted by logging. In high summer, the odour of the hoop pines is intense. I love it, but my husband cannot stand it!
TRISTANIOPSIS LAURINA
This old water gum sits in the middle of Stoney Creek. The shape of its trunk means the flood waters can roll over its bottom and curl around. All the strength of the tree is at its base, big and gnarly. It usually likes sun, but this is deep in the undergrowth.
LIVISTONA AUSTRALIS
The bark of trees is fascinating. This is from a Cabbage Tree Palm of which there are many at Strickland. It is a tall, slender palm crowned with dark, glossy green leaves plaited like a fan. They are often full of birds feasting on the cabbages and flowers.
PINUS ROXBURGHII
The Chir Pine is native to the Himalayas. It has distinct bark that is dark brown with deep grooves and its cones produce edible seeds. These trees became popular in the early 1800s along with Jacarandas, Camphor Laurels and Holm Oak.
CASUARINA
I am not sure which of the 17 species this is, but I would hazard a guess as a Casuarina cunninghamiana. Why aren't there more pictures of bark on google image search?
CINNAMOMUM OLIVERI
A beautiful little sapling living with its siblings down in the lush, dark, wet part of the forest alongside Stoney Creek. Very important food source for birds and butterflies, and it has a wonderful aromatic smell, hence its name. Can grow to 30m in the forest.
SLOANEA AUSTRALIS
This might be a gnarled Maidens Blush or something else completely. I love how the vine has twisted around the trunk blending its colours into one.
ANTHOCHAERA CHRYSOPTERA
Little Wattle Bird. You have to go on a day where there are few people about, and get out reasonable early to catch sight the birds. This little fellow could not resist the temptation of the banksia flowers.
PODARGUS STRIGOIDES
Imagine my delight when I spotted a Tawny Frogmouth snoozing on a branch next to a burnt stump. Imagine my surprise when looking at the photo at home, I realised the burnt stump was another Tawny Frogmouth! The round one is asleep. The one pointed upwards is alert to my presence.
EOPSALTRIA AUSTRALIS
Eastern yellow robin. This bird is a common inhabitant of the forest and our surrounding areas. They are curious and will pose for you, but they also move quick from meal to meal.
MACROPYGIA AMBOINENSIS
Brown Cuckoo-Dove. This glorious bird posed for me. How considerate. While it usually forages in the treetops, this one was heading for the ground to get some grit.
MANORINA MELANOPHRYS
Quite aggressive and territorial, the sound of the Bell Miner might mean some other poor birdie has just been evicted! This one heads along the sunbeam towards its roost in the gum. Did you notice I put this fellow in place of the Mona Lisa?
MANORINA MELANOPHRYS - BONUS
Bonus shot of the Bell Miner. It appeared yellow in my photos as it was a bright sunshine day, but they usually have a deeper olive colour.
PULTENAEA JUNIPERINA
Yellow pea flower with needle-like leaves. In the forest or national parks or other reserves, don't pick the flowers. They are protected. The plants need the seeds from the flowers to grow the following year. The birds and insects need to flowers, too. You can buy native flowers from registered florists. Pick them that way.
PULTENAEA DAPHNOIDES
Commonly known as large-leaf bush-pea or large-leaf bitter-pea. This one was about to fully bloom.
PHYLLOTA PHYLICOIDES
Ready to burst open with yellow. Another in the pea (fabaceae) family. Seen on the Ridgeway Trail as are most of the wildflowers.
GOMPHOLOBIUM GRANDIFLORUM
What a great botanic name for the Large Wedge-pea! I think it has a beautiful face. So bright and happy! Seen on the woodland side of the Ridgeway Trail.
HIBBERTIA OBTUSIFOLIA
Guinea flower. Perfect for Strickland's sandy and gravelly soils. This was in filtered sun in the open woodland on Ridgeway Trail.
GAHNIA ASPERA
Known as the rough saw-sedge or round sawsedge, this is a tussock forming perennial plant. Loves being moist! If you put this in your garden, the Superb Fairy Wren will love you!
LEUCOPOGON
This fragile and hairy flower is a Leucopogon species, and I believe it is a leucopogon ericoides! Commonly known as the pink beard-heath. Tiny and fluffy! s I saw this on the sandstone soils in the dry eucalyptus woodland along Strickland Trail. The perfect environment. Loved by bees.
LEUCOPOGON - BONUS
In case you wanted to help me identify this lovely fragile little compact shrub. I love a good shrub. Shrub is such a good word.