An Orchid Swallowtail

This morning on my walk to the shops I had something flitting around my face as I walked past a tree. As one does, I instantly tried to protect my eyes & when I opened them again this is what I saw. He (or she) was huge, about 8" across & just beautiful. Not often I get to see them & never get pics. This one was taken with my phone. I believe he is an Orchid Swallowtail.

A New Orchid

One of my new orchids is out. This one was given to me & I was told to hang it to a branch in a tree. The only "tree" as such in my yard is a frangipanni tree. Of course there a gum trees in the neighbours yard & bottlebrush trees on the nature strip, but I deemed these unsuitable. I was a bit worried about it being placed in the frangipanni tree as it not only faces  west & gets the full force the afternoon sun, it currently has no leaves on it to shelter this little orchid. However, it has been there since July, has produced two new shoots and about a dozen buds, three of which have finally opened. So I guess it likes where it is for now. Time will tell as the weather  heats up over summer, though hopefully by then it will have some shade from the leaves of the frangipanni that are just starting to come.

For the Senses

Today I had reason to visit my local library. When I got out of the car I noticed the perfume, nothing bad of course, but strong enough to notice. I had a quick look around as to what was in flower but noticed nothing out of the ordinary. It wasn't until I returned to my car that I saw the tree under which I had parked. Note, I had looked around but not up!

The tree under which I had parked was smothered with these yellow flowers and emitting a very strong perfume. I didn't stay long enough to examine it, just long enough to take a quick pic, &  now I am wondering what it is. I have searched Google for pics of similar flowers but have found nothing. My guess it is in the frangipanni family somewhere, but that is just a guess. It is the shape of the leaves & the perfume that makes me think this way, as well as the fact that I know that frngipannis come in a few different varieties.

I have parked under this tree many times before & have never really noticed it except for it's shade. Next time I will have a closer look.

Colours of Spring 8

  

Imagine this colour lining the highways of our nation in spring.

Colours of Spring 7

Colours Of Spring 6

Little balls of yellow fluff , just one of our many wattles

Colours of Spring 5

Not sure what these are, some kind of succulent I think.

Colours of Spring 4

A banksia just before it booms.

Colours of Spring 3

Just one of our many banksias.

Colours of Spring 2

So bright & vibrant, these look fabulous on mass.