Wham, Bam, thank you, Flower

Judy's family had its annual Christmas Day get-together yesterday at Philip and Kate's place in the Middle Harbour area. Good company, very nice food. Nice cool breezes were greatly appreciated by everybody. Your correspondent was the "designated driver", so we returned safely to Robertson for a cool night. A great night's sleep was had by all (even Nebiat).

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Many Ground Orchids may be found growing amongst the native shrubbery growing around the house, in the sandstone soil. Philip treasures this little piece of Sydney Harbour bushland, I am pleased to report.

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Several species of Ground Orchids were evident, from their different leaves, but only one, the Bonnet Orchid or Tartan Tongue-orchid (Cryptostylis erecta) was in flower yesterday. This "Tongue Orchid" has a rounded "half-balloon-shaped" hood, quite different from the narrow tongue of the related Little Tongue-orchid. It is quite beautifully coloured and patterned, with a green base colour, and deep purple stripes and dots.

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While I was attempting to photograph this Orchid, yesterday, a male Ichneumon Wasp flew in, and performed the "pseudo-copulation" act with the flower. This method of pollination of some Orchids, (especially this genus), is well recognised. This vicarious experience was a "first" for me, even though I have spent a fair bit of time looking at these Tongue-orchids before.

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The wasp clung to the underside of the flower, so in the photo, he is more or less facing upwards, with his orange head and brown wings clearly visible. The orange legs are just discernable in the full sized image (click on the photo for the enlargement)

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Unfortunately for me, he was the "Wham, Bam, Thank you, Flower" kind of Wasp, and he did not hang around. So I did not manage a good clear photograph, in the seconds available to me!