Two heath cove

 Frances suggested that we tried a slightly longer walk today, and after thinking about a couple of options we agreed that a walk from Pebbly Beach towards Shipwreck Creek was what was needed.  This reflected the likelihood of there being some good wildflowers along the way.  Here is the route.

Those of an inquiring mind may wonder about the title of this post.  This is the name proposed by Frances for the cove where the walk ends  It reflects the route passing through two areas of heath.  

After a brief descent through woodland we arrived at Pebbly Beach.  This first stretch was notable for there being no visible orchids.  In the past the area close to the beach - in particular has had a good collection of greenhoods and spider orchids.  This time everything was covered with the regrowth of dicotyledon species.  On getting to the beach it was well endowed with Oystercatchers,  The surprise was that there were 4 Sooty Oystercatchers as well as 3 Australian Pied Oystercatchers (the Pied are on the far right of the image).

As our passage disturbed them they flew to the far end of the beach and joined a small flock of Silver Gulls in dining on 'stuff' and 'things' in a bank of rotting seaweed.

On the return leg they had gone back to the first section of beach and walked around on some rocks.

The sea was quite vigorous.

Moving into the woodland the track had been cleared but the density of vegetation was very clear.  Lots of the plants were in flower.

It has been quite wet recently so some well positioned logs were helpful!

Our first orchids in the heath were Diuris orientis (Wallflower Orchid).

The yellow form of D. orientis is reasonably common around Mallacoota.

We found several buds of Thelymitra sp. and then one that was nearly open ...

.. and eventually a fully open T. ixioides.  It was only ~16C which in Canberra would not encourage sun orchids to open, but at Mallacoota the acceptable temperature is a bit lower.

Caladenia carnea.

Moving into dicotyledons Bossiaea ensata with flattened, chlorophyll enhanced stems.

The heath was colourful.

In both woodland and heath there was a fair amount of Dodonea triquetra in seed.  I've not noticed this species in the past but this year it is everywhere.

Hybanthus vernonii

Lomandra sp.

Some eucalypt blossom back ibn the Pebbly Beach carpark.

We met 2 Red-bellied Black Snakes today: both were quite chubby, reflecting the number of frogs in their vicinity.  The first bolted quickly but this one had decided to get some rays so posed well.  It was aware of me and did a good cobra impression after I put the camera down,

Here are rocks at the cove.

Two sticks were needed to get across the creek on to Pebby Beach.