Carrington Falls quarry and flat sections have great flowers

Within the Budderoo National Park, there is a small area formerly known as the Carrington Falls Nature Reserve. One of the nicest parts, for me, is not the spectacular Waterfall area, nor the Blue Pool, nor even Nellies Glen (all of which are lovely places).

For interesting plants and also butterflies, I prefer to visit an old quarry site, some of which is permanently flooded. Around these pools are areas of regenerating vegetation, and nearly bare rock scrapes. It is in these areas that some of the best Orchids are found. On the way in to this old quarry site, there are several trails going through moist grassy areas, where Christmas Bells and other interesting "Sandstone heath plants" are found. Of course, this spot is great for the rare and endangered Carrington Falls Grevillea (Grevillea rivularis). The area is also very good for Butterflies which seem to love the Coral Fern and Swordgrass (Gahnia species)

I never tire of photographing Christmas Bells.

They are so beautiful, bright and surprisingly tough plants.

Christmas Bells (Blandfordia nobilis)

In the same area, I also found the "Horned Orchid" Orthoceras strictum
This one has a very nice brown labellum, nearly black,
with a relatively small yellow dot in the middle.
This species is quite variable in labellum colour.

"Horned Orchid" Orthoceras strictum

The one stem had several closed-over flowers, 

indicating that the flowers had already been successfully pollinated.
I like this shot for how it shows the "arms held up in the air"
with nice dark red points.
The ovary is already swelling, indicating that it has been pollinated.

"Horned Orchid" Orthoceras strictum

I found this lovely but tiny Frog. 

It is of the same species as I had found at Cloud Farm a few weeks ago.

If you click on the image, you can see the black eye line

and also the left front foot has a clear image 

of the "pad" on the end of its toes,

which is diagnostic of a Tree Frog.

Verreaux's Tree Frog

Klug’s Xenica Butterfly (Geitoneura klugii)

And this spot is one of the best I know for the 

"Swordgrass Brown" Butterfly (Tisiphone abeona)

Swordgrass Brown (Tisiphone abeona)

All of these flowers, Frogs and Butterflies were found in a short walk from the road leading towards Carrington Falls, but to the left, well prior to the Kangaroo River crossing. There is an un-marked track, with a low gate across the track. This area is open for public access (by foot), but it is not advertised as such.