Mt Wellington walk (28 December 2010)

My niece and I had a great day together walking some of the tracks on Mt Wellington, taking photos, and finding a few caches.

We had some steep ups and downs, some level bits and some great views. Both of us, however, were hobbling a bit the day after!

Track through the banksias, above The Chalet.

Tree against a sandstone outcrop at Crocodile Rock.

Skeletal tree from the 1967 bushfires, viewed from Sphinx Rock.

Greenhood orchids (about 15cm tall). The top hooded part is actually the flower.
The Australian native orchids are not showy in the way that tropical orchids are
spectacular, but have a petite hardiness and beauty all their own.

Kangaroo ferns growing in amongst the dolerite boulders.

Waratah flower in bloom (the red flower head is about 10cm across).

Richea drachophylla in the late afternoon sunlight.
The flower heads are well past their prime.

Myrtle leaves in the afternoon light
(this photo "has potential" ... i.e., it didn't quite turn out as I wanted!).

Photos taken by Helen Chick.