Searching for Wildflowers in Southwest Western Australia

Wellington National Park, and Unexpected Treat

September 2017

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As we headed from the coast around Leeuwin park back towards Perth, we were looking for a place to spend some time. We were still hoping to find lots of cool wildflowers. We had an extra day before our reservations at a B&B in Perth, and we didn't really want to spend more time in Perth. Our map showed us Wellington National Park, so we headed that direction.

We found a place to camp near Honeymoon Pool, had a relaxing evening, and spent the next day exploring the gorge, river and shoreline.

Bird Xxx Raven
Bird Xxx Grey Currawong

Grey Currawong
Strepera versicolor

Spotted Pardalote
Spotted Pardalote
Pardalotus punctatus
Bird Xxx
Bird Xxx

We found some delightful pools in the river where we spent quite a bit of time chasing birds and other critters.

Wellington NP
Wellington National Park

Wellington NP
Wellington NP

Wellington NP
Wellington NP

Bob Tailed Skink
Bob-Tailed Skink
Tiliqua rugosa
Skink
Skink

We were ecstatic to find a Variegated Fairy Wren, but the little guy would not stay put long enough to get a good picture. Small wonder — if you are colored that brilliantly, you don't want to spend much time in one place to make an easy target for predators.

Bird Xxx Robin
Bird Xxx Robin

Variegated Fairy Wren
Malurus lamberti

It was a treat to find a Horsefields Bronze Cuckoo. We also found a Kookaburra sitting in an old gum tree...

Bird Xxx Redthroat
Bird Xxx Redthroat
Horsefields Bronze Cuckoo
Horsefields Bronze Cuckoo
Chalcites basalis
Kookaburra
Kookaburra
Dacelo novaeguineae

Australian Ringneck
Australian Ringneck
Barnardius zonarius

Flower Xxx Orange Red
Flower Xxx Orange Red

Then it was back to Perth, and a way too long flight to Papua New Guinea by way of Sydney.