It was a beautiful and warm spring day for our Seniors Week Wildflower Walk at Castle Creek Conservation Reserve on Oct 10. Ranger Dan led a lovely group of seniors through the reserve, some of whom hadn’t ventured there before. These events are a fantastic opportunity for people to explore a local reserve with a guide not only to learn how important these places are, but also to marvel at the amazing diversity we have right here on our doorstop! So thanks a bunch to those that came along!

Our seniors were treated to Ranger Dan’s extensive knowledge of both the plant species that were observed along the way, and also of the history of the area itself. While species such as leopard orchids and golden moth orchids had finished flowering, and it was too early in the day for the sun orchids to be out, everyone was excited to see some real beauties thanks Dan’s expert spotting skills! The most spectacular included the hooded caladenia orchid (Caladenia cucullata), the purple bearded orchid (Calochilus robertsonii), and the small spider orchid (Caladenia parva).

Murnongs (Microseris walteri), chocolate lilies (Arthropodium strictum), and bulbine lilies (Bulbine bulbosa) were also in flower, as well as milkmaids (Burchardia umbellate), sundews (Drosera gunniana), and the many flowered matrush (Lomandra multiflora), so there was plenty to keep everyone interested during the two hour stroll through the reserve.

Castle Creek is such a great place to visit at any time, but especially in spring when many different wildflowers are showing off their spectacular colours. And there is still more to come, with lots of blue pincushions in bud along with clustered and sticky everlasting daisies!