A hot summer has been bad for orchids. Time to invoke rule 1 and go somewhere high up to where orchids are protected.  We made a plan to head to Gloucester Tops, which is a segment of Barrington Tops National Park.  We had to change the plans because of some heavy rain and we had to be wary of very high temperatures forecast (in excess of 42C) for the region.   Gloucester Tops lies some 100 miles to the north of Sydney and about 30 miles inland. The mountain range rises from a low coastal plain (say 100 metres - 300 feet) to over 1600 meters (5,000 feet). 

The adjusted plan was to head up early on a midweek day and to camp two nights. Rainy weather was forecast to clear in the morning. Perfect. I met the crew in the campground which is at the bottom level of the tops (not far into the National Park) set on the banks of the Gloucester River.  We set up camp and then headed the 18 kms (12 miles) into the high country over a bumpy all weather gravel track. the views back down the valleys are staggering - so staggering that I did not take any photos and have borrowed this one. 

https://s19.postimg.org/bh6cf3k83/GloucesterTops.jpg

http://visitgloucester.com.au/attractions/gloucester-tops-national-park/

We planned to do two walks in the afternoon. One exploring the Antarctic Beech forests and the other the upper reaches of the Gloucester River. This post covers the first part of the walk through the Antarctic Beech forest.  

<blockquote>The Antarctic beech (Lophozonia moorei) grows in cool temperate rainforests from the Barrington Tops plateau in New South Wales, north to the Lamington Plateau and Springbrook Plateau, in southern Queensland, between altitudes of 500 m and 1550 m.  It occurs in temperate to cool temperatures and with occasional snowfalls.</blockquote> 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lophozonia_moorei

The first orchids are to be found within 4 or 5 steps of getting on to the track (in fact there were a bunch in the car park but we did not look there first).  The track makes its way through very typical dry scherophyl forest (mostly eucalyptus).  This is classic orchid country and we are hoping to find orchids unique to high altitude. 

Over 3 days we saw hundreds of these orchids. The colours range from pale pink (almost white to a quite deep magenta).  They are incredibly difficult to photograph from close up. There is amazing detail in the labellum and column with some fine colours and hairy bits. That is what I tried to focus on - the price I paid is very often the petals are out of focus.  The paler the colour of the petals, the more pronounced the lack of  focus becomes. It is as if there is a halo of brightness making it hard for the camera sensor to do its job. I will share a cross section of the photos across the posts on this trip. 

https://s19.postimg.org/42h0mpycj/Orchids_39_1.jpg

<h5>Magenta (Autumn) orchid - Eriochilus magenteus </h5>

Given the wide range of colours we came across I was beginning to doubt the identification. However what is totally common in all the pictures is the configuration and colours of the column and the labellum (which curves downwards) and is quite hairy. 

https://s19.postimg.org/hohqf9fz7/Orchids_39_5.jpg

<h5>Magenta (Autumn) orchid - Eriochilus magenteus </h5>

https://s19.postimg.org/wzw4tm2oz/Orchids_39_7.jpg

https://s19.postimg.org/6g3jrh25f/Orchids_39_8.jpg

<h5>Magenta (Autumn) orchid - Eriochilus magenteus </h5>

It is amazing how orchids have evolved to attract very specific pollinators. The next one is no exception - it is from the family of wasp orchids and is probably a tall wasp orchid (sometimes called a long clubbed wasp orchid).  The labellum has evolved to look like the body of a wasp - and it is about the same size. Photos from 3 sides gives a good opportunity to see all the facets.

https://s19.postimg.org/7ncw5y2w3/Orchids_39_2.jpg

<h5>Long-clubbed Wasp Orchid - Chiloglottis Trilabra</h5>

https://s19.postimg.org/v2utbamn7/Orchids_39_3.jpg

https://s19.postimg.org/ljl4htz4z/Orchids_39_4.jpg

I was amazed at how many lizards went scurrying off the paths as I walked by. This fellow stood still long enough for me to get a photograph - love the golden colours on his head.

https://s19.postimg.org/cr45u5e03/Orchids_39_6.jpg

The Antarctic beech trees are spectacular.  They are not that tall (say 25 metres (75 feet) but they have huge trunks - about a metre in diameter (3 foot 3 inches)).  The shade and coolness was very welcome on a day with temperatures well in excess of 30C (85F)

https://s19.postimg.org/x2g0gg6cj/Orchids_39_9.jpg

Even more cooling was the segment of rain forest down where the creek was flowing. I was not trying to capture the reflection in the pond but I did get it. 

https://s19.postimg.org/hi8mpww83/Orchids_39_10.jpg

With 5 pairs of eyes you would think we would spot all the orchids available to be found. Sometimes the light just needs to be at a different angle to see things. This orchid was found not 10 paces from the start of the walk. It is not that easy to spot as the plant stands maybe 3 inches off the ground (7.5 cms).  We have not been able to identify this positively as the flowers are not fully open. I think they are on the way to opening.  This is a variety of Midge orchid

https://s19.postimg.org/nkg9geko3/Orchids_39_11.jpg

<h5>Midge orchid - Genoplesium </h5>

There is a process of reclassification of genoplesium orchids - I am not on top of this stuff yet. Many have been reclassified as Prasophyllum (Leek orchids).

Note: Photos taken with Canon PowerShot G16 on February 9, 2017