After our tramp to 2 Heath Cove we decided to try a slightly longer walk starting at Betka Beach and turning back at Pebbly Beach. The route followed, effectively 5 km each way, is shown on the following image snipped from Google Earth. It had the great benefit of being quite flat with small hills at Betka, Quarry and Pebbly beaches.
A view towards the West End of Betka.The regrowth gives the walk somewhat the feel of a box hedge maze from England: given my view that official Parks agencies want the manicured look of Stately homes that is to be expected.
The good thing is that this trimming has given a bit of air for some orchids to be visible, There were a lot of Caladenia carnea and quite a few of these Prasophyllum sp. visible along the way.
Lomandra sp were also visible - I think this is the female plant of L. longifolia.
Burchardia umbellata was seen, but not in profusion.
In contrast in some areas Lasiopetallum macrophyllum was forming the bulk of the shrub storey and revealing its flowers.
A cluster of Dampiera stricta.
An unusually large outbreak of Hybanthus vernonii.
Leptospermum laevigatum.
Stackhousia monogyna
There was a lot of Comesperma sp visible in the more heath-like areas. As well as the very common pink C. ericinum a few specimens of the blue C. volubile were seen between Quarry and Secret beaches.
I don't usually photograph Billardiera scandens but this large and visible specimen won the day.
Kennedia rubicunda is still flowering well, with a floriferous backdrop.
Dianella tasmanica (the specific ID reflecting its height).
is taking on the role of dominant shrub in many areas, filling in the position occupoed in 2020-21 by Solanum aviculare (Kangaroo Apple)
There were a few birds around, especially around Secret Beach. Fan-tailed Cuckoo.
Immature Great Cormorants (a group of 12 adults of this species were at the West end of Pebbly Beach).
Dusky Woodswallows were hawking above the bush.
Getting back to Betka, the mouth has closed again after a brief opening in a rainy spell.
2 Hooded Plovers were inspecting the sandbar: probably checking out nest sites.
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