A day in the Blue Mountains of Oz

[moloch]

Hello everyone,

Yesterday (Sunday), I headed up to the Blue Mountains National Park for the day. This area is about a two-hour drive from Wollongong. “Mountains” is really a generous term since the tallest peak, Mt. Victoria, has an altitude of 1063m. The Blue Mountains are really more of a plateau with deeply dissecting river valleys.

I bought a copy of “The Complete Field Guide to Butterflies of Australia” earlier this year. When studying the text and maps, I realized that there are many species of butterflies that are restricted to upland habitats. The weather forecast was good so I decided to zip up for a look to see what I could find. The national park is a scenic one with lots of nice flowers (and reptiles) so it is always a fun place for a visit during the warm months.

I will start of with a set of habitat photos. One place that I particularly like to see is known as “Hanging Rock”. It is about a 10km return walk to this spectacular natural feature. I think that the parks department could do a much better job with the marketing of this site. There are no signposts to it and access is by walking or biking along a fire track to the edge of the cliff.

This shot is of the cliff at the end of the track. The track ends at the little tree at the top of the cliff. When walking down the road, there is no barrier or anything else at the edge of the cliff. In fact, there is nothing at the end of the road that gives an indication of this incredible cliff that is just ahead. I always follow a small trail along the cliff edge that descends to this open area where I can look up at the cliff face and Hanging Rock. I really need a wide-angle lens since the drop is staggering and would take a couple of photos to show from top to bottom.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/habitathangingrock2.jpg


Here is the view between the above cliff and Hanging Rock:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/habitathangingrock3.jpg


… and the spectacular Hanging Rock. If one has absolutely no fear of heights (or death!), it is possible to walk out onto the rock. http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/habitathangingrock4a.jpg


There is a gap of about a meter between the base of Hanging Rock and the adjacent cliff face. It is easy to jump across but a slip would be fatal. (shot from May 2010)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/May%202010/HangingRock2.jpg


Natural carvings on the back of Hanging Rock. Anyone care for a climb?
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/May%202010/HangingRock3.jpg


Cliffs to the west of Hanging Rock. I have seen Rock Ringlets (Hypocysta euphemia) here once before but had no luck with them yesterday.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/habitathangingrock1.jpg


Cliffs to the east of Haning Rock. (photo from May 2010):
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/May%202010/GroseValley1.jpg


Waterfall far below:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/habitatEvans6.jpg

[moloch]

As I mentioned, it is about a 10km walk from where I park my car to the cliffs. Most of this passes through Eucalyptus woodland and areas with heath. (photo from May 2010).
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/May%202010/habitat2.jpg


The abundant butterfly in this sort of habitat was the Common Brown (Heteronympha merope). Here is a female. I quite like her soft pastels. These are cryptic and hard to see once they land. Their upper wings are orange and yellow with black markings. I posted photos of these in the ‘Gong post.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/Heteronymphamerope1female.jpg


The boys were constantly chasing the girls and followed them everywhere (nothing new there!). They would land nearby with their wings partially opened to show the girls how handsome they were. The would hop around the females and sometimes would knock them over with their exuberance.

… male dancing towards a female:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/Heteronymphamerope2.jpg


Male:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/Heteronymphamerope3.jpg



I also saw Varied Sword-grass Browns (Tisiphone aboeona) and one of the other, smaller Heteronympha species but I could not get decent photos of either.

Yellow Admirals (Vanessa itea) and Australian Painted Lady (Vanessa kershawi) were common. These photos were from last May.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/May%202010/AustralianAdmiral1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/May%202010/AustralianAdmiral2.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/May%202010/PaintedLady1.jpg


Caper White (Belenois java) was common but rarely stopped for a photos. Les, they almost qualify as a Jezebel, don’t you think? This one was sipping from the base of a Mountain Devil (Lambertia formosa)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/CaperWhite1.jpg

[moloch]

I saw many blues. Two species were abundant and included this lifer Varied Dusky Blue (Candalides hyacinthine):
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/blue6VariedDuskyBlueCandalideshyacinthina.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/blue8VariedDuskyBlueCandalideshyacinthina.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/blue5VariedDuskyBlueCandalideshyacinthina.jpg


Common Grass Blues (Zizina labradus) were the other common species. This one was perched on a Flannel Flower (Actinotus helianthi).
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/blue2CommonGrassBlueZizinalabradus.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/blue1CommonGrassBlueZizinalabradus.jpg


A third species was medium-sized and a quick flyer. I only saw it near tree tops along the cliffs. I think that it may have been one of the dazzling Azures (Ogyris sp.) but I never saw it well enough to be certain.


Papilionids included the Chequered Swallowtail (Papilio demoleus) that no doubt looks familiar to you.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/Swallowtailcheckered1.jpg


Skippers were common. Some of these were not too hard to identify. The following (lifer) is a Varied Sedge Skipper (Hesperilla donnysa).
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/skipper11variedsedgeskipperHesperilladonnysa.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/skipper12variedsedgeskipperHesperilladonnysa.jpg

[moloch]

This Silver Sedge Skipper (Hesperilla crypsargyra) was especially nice (and a lifer):
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/skipper8silversedgeskipperHesperillacrypsargyra.jp g
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/skipper9silversedgeskipperHesperillacrypsargyra.jp g


I am still working on the identification of this skipper. It was large and I think it to be one of the Ochres (Trapezites sp.). It more closely resembles the illustration of the Montane Ochre (T. phigalioides) but the Heath Ochre (T. phigalia) is also similar.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/skipper1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/skipper2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/skipper3.jpg


Flowers were still out in good numbers. The area would have been better a month or so ago but there was still plenty to see. Here are photos of some of these:


Fringed Lily (Thysanotus sp.):
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/FrilledLily2a_400.jpghttp://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/FrilledLily1_400.jpg

Matchsticks (Comesperma ericinum):
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/flowerpolygala1.jpg

[moloch]

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/flower3a.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/flower2.jpg


This is a Grevillea sp. (member of Proteaceae). This particular species is quite odd since it is a vine. All of the others that I have seen are shrubs or trees.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/flowergrevillea1.jpg


Mountain Devil (Lambertia formosa). This is another member of Proteaceae.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/flower_lambertia2_400.jpghttp://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/flowerlambertia_400.jpg http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/May%202010/Lambertia3.jpg


Geebung (Persoonia sp.). This one was odd and low-growing. It also had intensely fragrant flowers that could be detected when a few meters from the shrub. Another member of Proteaceae.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/flowergeebung1.jpg

[moloch]

More Flannel Flowers. The flower parts are woolly and feel strange.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/FlannelFlower1.jpg


Dampiera sp. and Fan Flower:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/flower4_400.jpghttp://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/flower1_400.jpg


A “flock” of Large Flying Duck Orchids. There were many of these all in an area of about a meter square.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/DuckOrchid1.jpg



Reptiles included these social Cunningham’s Skinks (Egernia cunninghami). I found this colony a few years ago and always stop to see them when I am in the area.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/Egerniacunninghami2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/Egerniacunninghami1.jpg

… they certainly have prime real estate. Their apartment blocks are on the edge of a cliff with a tremendous view:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/habitatEgerniacunninghami1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/habitatEgerniacunninghami2.jpg

[moloch]

I was very pleased to see this Blotched Blue-tongued Skink (Tiliqua nigrolutea). These only live in the mountains in this part of Australia. They are big but gentle lizards. At first, they poke out their “scary” blue and pink tongues but they soon settle.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/Tiliquanigrolutea1.jpg


Yellow-bellied Water Skink (Eulamprus heatwolei). True to its name, these usually live along creeks or in damp places.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/Eulamprusheatwolei1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/Eulamprusheatwolei2.jpg


Garden Skinks (Lampropholis guichenoti) were as common here as in my garden in Wollongong.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/Lampropholisguichenot1_400.jpghttp://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/Lampropholisguichenot2_400.jpg


An Eastern Small-eyed Snake (Cryptophis nigrescens), a small but dangerous elapid. They are only dangerous, however, if handled. Otherwise, they are shy and just want to be left alone. This particular individual was larger than any others that I have seen in this part of New South Wales.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/12Dec/EasternSmallEyed1.jpg


Here is my favourite photo of a pair of White’s Skinks (Liopholis whitii) from 2006. They were sunning near one of the popular lookouts.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/May%202010/WhitesSkink1a.jpg

[Great Mormon]

Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos and journey write ups through out the thread David. I'm really impressed by the array of different types of fauna and flora found in the different regions in Australia. Great Pictures!

[scenar]

Really enjoyed the whole set. thanks for sharing n great shots!

[Painted Jezebel]

I suffer very badly from vertigo, and those Hanging Rock photos made me feel quite faint.:sweat: Nevertheless, it does look very beautiful. I always enjoy your 'travelogs', a great advert for Australia.


. Les, they almost qualify as a Jezebel, don’t you think?

Both Cepora and Delias belong to the subtribe Aporiina. However, Cepora is a much more primitive Genus than Delias, and they are only distantly related. Cepora are more closely related to the Genus Prioneris.

I am regularly sent photos of 'Delias' for identification, and about 50% of the time they turn out to be Cepora sp.

[WillFolsom]

David: I rather like your approach to sharing. I need to include more images of my surroundings and the host plants or other plants when focusing in on butterflies. I tend to get very focused, but several recent posting has me re-thinking future outings so I can show what things looked like as well. Again, thank you. William

[Silverstreak]

David,

Thanks for sharing your wonderful shots , enjoy very much everyone of your fabulous travelogs.

Noticed you are getting a hang of using your T180 .:)

:cheers:

[moloch]

Thanks, Anthony. Australia does have quite a variety of habitats. I have lived here since 1982 and have visited a fair chunk of the country. I never tire of the plants that I think are as unique as the strange mammals. Reptiles are also wonderfully diverse.


Thanks, Yaoyang. By the way, I loved the shot of the "Miss Harlequin". They are such beauties.


Thanks, Les, and also for the info about the Cepora and Delias. Both are lovely genera.


Thanks, William. I look forward to more photos from your part of the world. Do you visit the Appalachians? I never went to those but from photos, it seems that they are a little like the Blue Mountains or the Great Dividing Range over here.


I am glad that you enjoyed the report, Sunny. Did you visit the Blue Mountains when you were in Australia? Once in awhile, I get a reasonable shot with the T180 but I have a long way to go. You and the others on BC take such amazing photos.

[WillFolsom]

David:

I live about an hour from the entrance to the Blue Ridge Mountain chain. I drive west about 50 miles and enter through the town of Front Royal onto the Shenandoah National Park which is a segment of the Blue Ridge Mountains which extends pretty far south. The U.S. National Park Service maintains a road that was built almost the entire length of the range along with the famous Appalachian Trail -- a foot trail that runs along the mountains for the entire length.

I usually get up there in the springtime and late fall. The Park Service has, in past years, invited me up there to lecture about butterflies and butterfly photography. Because it is much higher, it has a different set of species not found in the foothills and lower regions. I was one of the first to photograph the Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail (I didn't realize it at the time) and was surprised when I was told about the species by the man who was able to identify that butterfly as distinct from the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.

Sorry to report that we really only have a couple of venemous snakes in the mountains: The rattlesnake and the copperhead. I've never run across any in the mountains (but have seen them in Florida and South Carolina), but there are places where there are lots of rattlers. I'd just as soon avoid them.

You've convinced me to try and take a few environmental images next year (that's in two weeks!)... along with the butterflies. I'll be owning a new T-180mm by then and we'll see how well I do. These BC members have set the bar incredibly high so it will be a challenge!

William

[moloch]

William,

The Blue Ridge Mountains sound very nice. I am looking forward to photos from that area next spring.



Here are a few more photos of the Blue Mountains. This place is only about a 2 hour drive from the Sydney International Airport. It is well worth a trip if any of you decide to visit Australia.

This shot is from Govett's Leap near the little town of Blackheath.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/May%202010/habitatEvans21.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/May%202010/habitatEvans20.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/May%202010/habitatEvans22.jpg


More from the Hanging Rock area (May 2010):
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/May%202010/habitatHangingRock21.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/May%202010/habitatHangingRock22.jpg



The same colony of Cunningham's Skink from a couple of years ago:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/May%202010/Egerniacunninghami20.jpg


This White's Skink looked happy and contented (2008). It was basking in the early morning sun near Hanging Rock:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/May%202010/WhitesSkink1.jpg


Eastern Water Dragon (Physignathus lesueurii) -- male in breeding colours. (2008)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/blue%20mountains/summer2010/May%202010/EasternWaterDragon1.jpg

[Commander]

Wow... now I know what I missed! :cry:

I was there for a conference at one of the Blue Mt hotels and convention centres about 3 years ago. But all I saw were mostly from the bus ride up there, and then it was mainly the interiors of the hotel conference rooms. ;P

After the conference was over, it was a mad rush back to Sydney and off to the airport.

The weather was nice though... :)

[Silverstreak]

I am glad that you enjoyed the report, Sunny. Did you visit the Blue Mountains when you were in Australia? Once in awhile, I get a reasonable shot with the T180 but I have a long way to go. You and the others on BC take such amazing photos.

David ,

Yes I did, way back in 1978 when I was based at RAAF Williamtown AB Outside Newcastle. It was just a short afternoon tourist sort of ""blow through"" without a chance to explore the tracks . I hope to revisit it as a side trip in one of my future trip down under to visit my son at Melbourne.

All of us here also feel that the T180 is quite a beast to handle initially , but with more hands-on time I am sure you will get a hang of it and get beautiful shots in no time .


Cheers!