Aaron, I think that you are correct about the orchid. After searching this name, I think that it looks quite like Pterostylis concinna. The following site looks to be very good for the terrestrial Aussie orchids: http://www.upclose.net.au/gallery/fo...b_gallery.html
I recently had a few days in Canberra for work. On the last afternoon, I was able to leave early and then head up to Mt. Ainslie for a few photos. This place can be quite good for butterflies but it is the best in the morning while the butterflies are cool.
A big thunderstorm was building in the afternoon.
Chequered Coppers (Lucia limbaria) were numerous. This seems to be a good place for this species.
Several Dainty Swallowtails (Papilio anactus) were hilltopping.
I headed back to butterfly bush and resivoir area again today. As before, it was a cloudy day with threatening rain but it held off while I was there. The flowers are not lasting long this year so I probably will only have another week or two to see butterflies on these shrubs.
Here is today's (28 Jan) haul.
Imperial Jezebels (Delias harpalyce) were numerous in the morning on the butterfly bush.
I also saw one on the Tea Tree flowers (Leptospermum).
A Red-spotted Jezebel (Delias aganippe) was also visiting the Tea Tree flowers.
I am not seeing as many Black Jezebels (Delias nigrina) as I did last year.
Several Yellow-spotted Jezebels (Delias nysa) were feeding from the butterfly bush flowers.
I think you probably caught all the local Delias in one day, congratulations. Does Delias argenthona reach as far south as you? Otherwise, the only other Australian Delias is D. aruna inferna, which can only be found at the northern tip of Cape York Peninsular. I don't think I have forgotten any.
Sorry for the delay in replying, Les. I am painting at the moment ... no fun at all!
Delias argenthona does reach this area but it is erratic and a non-breeder. Last year, I saw one at the Fitzroy Falls Resivoir and also others at Mt. Ainslie in Canberra. So far, I have not seen any this summer. Here is a shot from last year:
Delias aruna would be wonderful! I looked for it on my single trip up Cape York but did not see any at all.
We do have two more Jezebels. This Yellow-banded Jezebel (Delias ennia) from the Atherton Tablelands was a new one to me last November. It always stayed high so I could not take better photos.
A Red-banded ("Union Jack") (Delias mysis) Jezebel was feeding in the same tree as the Yellow-banded Jezebel. It also remained too high for decent photos.
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