Western Australia wildflowers

This is part 1 of my Australia trip.  I have wanted to see the wildflowers in Western Australia for awhile now.  My last trip was just after Australia opened up and I didn't want to plan anything so never made it.  This time I was visiting Perth first before going on to Brisbane to see family.  As usual my journey started with the early morning ferry using my free concession ticket then the Ember electric bus to Inverness and then to Glasgow.  A long day but the journey was all free and environmentally friendly.  Of course I then took the long flight from Glasgow the next day on Emirates!  A pleasant flight but I had my first ever nose bleed.  The crew were brilliant and one of the stewardesses checked up on me regularly.  I felt fine.  Landed in Perth two hours late due to the Gulf war.  Met by Anne and Rod.  Up early the next day for the long drive to Mullewa where we stayed at the Railway Hotel.  On the way we stopped off at a town with a huge red (it looked orange) tractor and met up with Mikey and Andree who were travelling with us on the wildflower hunt.  We found a few before arriving at Mullewa.

I had hoped I would have some warmth in Australia as there has been no summer in the Western Isles this year.   Slightly warmer during the day but freezing at night.  We started the wildflower hunt in Mullewa area on Tuesday.  We returned to the town to visit the  Church of Our Lady of Mt Carmel designed by Monsignor John Hawes.

We made our way to Nalbarra our outback station stop for the next two nights.  On the way we stopped at Pindar to see the wreath flowers.

On Wednesday we made our way to Mt Magnet and then Cue and Walga rocks to view some Aboriginal rock art.  Mikey and Andree had to leave us then as they had a funeral to attend.  

Outside Cue

Sturt peas outside the police station in Cue

Near our lunch stop at Cue

Cue camels

Nankeen kestrel

Andree

Rock art note the boat at the bottom.  Not known when the boat was drawn

Anne, Rod and I returned to Nalbarra and had an explore around a lake for more flowers.  I was very lucky as this was about the fourth time the others had been on the trip without much success.  This time we were treated to a magnificent display of flowers.

A couple of residents on the station

Robin

A nine image multiple exposure in camera

A nine image multiple exposure in camera then blended in photoshop

I forgot to make any images of the shearer's quarters where we stayed.  Pretty basic but fine for what we wanted to do.  There was a bonfire each evening and a kitchen where we could prepare food.  Apparently most campsites have camp kitchens attached.  Something which would be handy in the UK.  On Thursday we set off for the long drive to Dalwallinu where we were staying the night at an old convent.  We had a few stops on the way looking for flowers.

Rod and Anne

Cotton Bollworm moth

Swallows

Anne and our faithful vehicle

On Friday we made our way back to Perth, stopping at a lovely rock outcrop where there were lots of birdlife and some dragon and damselflies.  Then a stop at Wongon Hills with the lovely mural on the toilets.

Petrudor rocks

Donkey orchid

3 image multiple exposure in camera

Nine image multiple exposure in camera

Nine image multiple exposure in camera

Bridal rainbow

Yellow rumped thornbill

Rod

Galah

Port Lincoln ringneck

Lemon scented sun orchid

Blue stars

A variety of wildflowers with spider orchids the first one

I was catching the Indian Pacific to Sydney on Saturday evening.  During the day we visited King's Park to see their display of flowers.  A wonderful trip which was planned meticulously by Anne and worked well.  Rod did all the driving.  He was very patient with us especially as wildflowers were not really his thing.  I have the bug now and want to see more as more flowers bloom in September in different regions and there is a festival in October.  So a goodbye to good friends and I am on Part 2 of my trip.

A family of kookaburras on the right hand side