“Where have all the flowers gone?

November 1, 2026 | paulamyes

Long time passing.

Where have all the flowers gone?

Long time ago.

Where have all the flowers gone?

The girls have picked them every one.

Oh, When will you ever learn?

Oh, When will you ever learn?”

Pete Seeger, 1955

After the Bernard Park fiasco a couple of days previously I was determined to get out and have a successful photo trip. This time I thought I’d stay local and photograph orchids – they don’t fly off as you try to photograph them. The chosen destination was the Oswald Sargent Reserve at the back of the York Golf Club. A reliable location known for it’s prolific displays of orchids. I was expecting to go home with a memory card full of photos. Walking up the rough between two fairways I was expecting to see Chapman’s Spider Orchids, Scented Sun Orchids, and Custard Orchids amongst others. Eventually I found a shrivelled Green Spider Orchid. On hitting the Wandoo forest of the reserve I found after an hour of looking I found two more plants, an intact Green Spider Orchid and a Pink Enamel Orchid. In a normal year I’d find at least eight species and anything up to thirty individual plants. I don’t think it is a case of “The girls have picked them everyone.”. More a case of we’ve had a dry warm winter.

Oh dear! That’s not looking good. Green Spider Orchid aka Fringed Mantis Orchid (Caladenia falcata). Oswald Sargent reserve, Western Australia.

A more healthy looking Green Spider Orchid aka Fringed Mantis Orchid (Caladenia falcata). Oswald Sargent reserve, Western Australia.

You can rely on a Pink Enamel Orchid, Elythranthera emarginata, to provide a spot of colour. Oswald Sargent reserve, Western Australia.

It’s That Time Already ?

September 6, 2026November 3, 2026 | paulamyes

I must confess that since we got our new puppy – Bertie – I’ve been rather busy. Time just seems to have slipped away. So the other morning when I was reading the news on ABC I came across a story about how the orchid season in the Wheatbelt had kicked off early. It caught me completely unawares. Normally what I do is draw up a list of what I want to see with when and where and then see where there is an overlap so I can get the most bang for my buck. Then I get my orchid kit together and make sure that everything works and is ready to go. That hasn’t happened this year. A mad whirlwind of frenetic activity saw me pack my bag and find an old list that for some reason I didn’t enact. So quickly organised I headed out on my first orchid hunt of the season.

Eastern Curly-locks by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — Eastern Curly-locks. Wandoo National Park, Western Australia. Olympus EM1 mk ii with Olympus M.40-150mm F2.8 + MC-14 teleconverter.

The target species was the Eastern Curly Locks (Thelymitra maculata). I know of two places where they occur. One location, Wandoo National Park, is easy to get to and the plants are easily found near the road. That means orchid poachers often dig them up for selling illegally. The other spot I know (I won’t divulge its location) has more flowers, but, is harder to get to and involves a lot of walking and careful searching. Wandoo National Park was chosen as this was all a bit of a last minute decision.

Dwarf Pink Fairy Orchid by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — Dwarf Pink Fairy Orchid, Caladenia reptans subspecies reptans. Olympus EM1 mk ii with Olympus M.40-150mm F2.8 + MC-14 teleconverter.

Hare Orchid by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — Hare Orchid, Leporella fimbriata. Olympus EM1 mk ii with Olympus 60mm f2.8 macro lens

Banded Greenhood by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — Banded Greenhood, Pterostylis vittata. Olympus EM1 mk ii with Olympus 30mm f/3.5 macro lens

From the description in the ABC article I was expecting to see quite a show as the areas has other species of orchid that should be in flower as well. As I walked through the bush I saw very little orchid activity. Out of the 8 species that should be flowering I saw 3 and there were only a few of those. At one point I wished I’d had my birding kit as I managed to flush several quail as I walked around. The irony being when I’ve gone birding there I didn’t see any. I zig zagged through the bush and didn’t find any Eastern Curly Locks. Dejected I settled for photographing some Dwarf Pink Fairy Orchids (Caladenia reptans subspecies reptans) and some Banded Greenhoods (Pterostylis vittata). I’d promised my partner I’d only be a couple of hours so I packed my kit away and headed back to the car. I took a slightly different route back as I didn’t want to go back through the tangle of sheaoak that had slowed me down while on the outward journey. I stopped to look at some carnivorous Red Ink Sundews (Drosera erythrorhiza) when out of the corner of my eye I spied 2 Eastern Curly Locks. So I had ticked the first orchid off of this years list.

Farewell 2025

December 28, 2025 | paulamyes

It’s Christmas Eve and I’m looking back photographically on the last 12 months. I started the year with all these ideas and intentions, and to be honest they quickly evaporated. It’s been a year where I have had a great deal of difficulty being motivated to take photos. Nevertheless I plodded on regardless and although I didn’t make any great photos I made some that I enjoyed. They’re not technically perfect, but the actual process was enjoyable and I think that is important. If it is not enjoyable then why do it?

Koordji-koordji or Australian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus australis subspecies gouldi). Lake Leschenaultia, Western Australia.

Mardiyet or Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides). Woodman Point, Western Australia.

Djer-djer or Splendid Fairy-wren (Malarus splendens subs splendens). Woodman Point, Western Australia.

Karak or Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii subs samueli) feeding on Cape Lilac AKA White Cedar (Melia azedarch). York, Western Australia.

Kwirlam or Purple Swamp Hen (Porphyrio porphyrio). Lake Leschenaultia, Western Australia.

Kadar, Musk Duck (Biziura lobata). Lake Leschenaultia, Western Australia.

Juvenile Delyip or Red-capped Parrot (Platycercus spurius). Albany Windfarm.

Djoolar or Fan-tailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis flabelliformis). Albany Windfarm.

Bidilmidang or Golden Whistler (Pachycephala pectoralis). Torbay.

Kaaka-baaka or Yellow-billed Spoonbill (Platalea flavipes).

Ngowonan or Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa).

Talbot’s Spider Orchid, Caladenia pendens subsp talbotii. Kweda, Western Australia.

Early Wheatbelt Spider Orchid, Caladenia sp. ‘early wheatbelt’. Kweda, Western Australia.

Kanamit or Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxxena). York, Western Australia.

Juvenile Djindjokoor or Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta). York, Western Australia.

Custard Orchid, Thelymitra villosa. Wandoo National Park, Western Australia.

Kanyinak or Azure Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus). Northam, Western Australia.

Djoowi or Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides). Narrogin Railway Dam, Western Australia.

Ngoolyak or Carnaby’s Black-cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris). Old Mill Dam, Dryandra.

Camera nerdy bit. The most used camera was the Olympus EM1x. Only two of the photos were taken with a sensor bigger than Micro Four Thirds.

I hope all of you had a good 2025 and that 2026 brings happiness and health to you all. Happy New Year.

A Reconciliation…

November 16, 2025 | paulamyes

…of sorts. I wrote recently about my attempt to abandon my Olympus cameras and move to Sony and how it was an unhappy experience. Well last weekend I went out orchid hunting in Wandoo National Park and I took my Olympus kit with me and it made for a far happier experience.

Pink Enamel Orchid, by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — Pink Enamel Orchid, Elythranthera emarginata. Wandoo National Park, Western Australia.

The main reason was weight. Looking for orchids in the Wandoo National Park is a matter of walking lots. It is a big park – 463.68 square Km – and while you can drive in on numerous gravel roads and 4WD tracks it only gets you so far and then you have to walk over quite varied terrain to find anything. Humping heavy photographic equipment, water, food, extra layers, first aid kit etc gets old really fast. So anything that can reduce the load is most welcome.

Little Laughing Leek Orchid, by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — Little Laughing Leek Orchid, Prasophyllum gracile. Wandoo National Park, Western Australia.

Pouched Leek Orchid by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — Pouched Leek Orchid, Prasophyllum cyphochilum. Wandoo National Park, Western Australia.

The second reason was the rear LCD panel. Having one I could actually see in bright sunlight again was in a word fantastic. Add to that it was of the flippy flappy variety which meant I could twist it to see it irrespective of the camera position meant that I didn’t have to contort myself into impossible positions. It’s amazing how such small things can make life so much easier and more pleasurable.

Custard Orchid by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — Custard Orchid, Thelymitra villosa. Wandoo National Park, Western Australia.

The orchids were scarce this year. Where there would be literally a carpet of custard orchids there were just one or two specimens. But, although the numbers were down there were plenty of different species to look at and photograph. I went primarily to photograph leopard orchids and I only found them after about 5 hours of looking. It was like the day’s grande finale.

Leopard Orchid, by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — Leopard Orchid, Thelymitra benthamiana. Wandoo National Park, Western Australia.

All in all I was a very happy boy when I got home.

Purple Enamel Orchid by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — Purple Enamel Orchid, Elythranthera brunonis. Wandoo National Park, Western Australia.

Lamenting A Rash Decision

November 2, 2025October 19, 2026 | paulamyes

Cowslip Orchid by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — Cowslip Orchid, Caladenia flava subs. flava. Williams, Western Australia

I’ve been a bit miffed lately with Olympus/OM Systems. A lens that I bought recently was not functioning properly and has spent more time at the service department than with me. Then there’s my Olympus STF-8 a supposedly rugged, weatherproof and very expensive macro flash whose buttons have fallen off and is now inoperable and unrepairable (as in it’s not designed to be repairable but be disposable). I’ve been so miffed that of late I’ve stopped using my Olympus kit and relegated it to the cupboard while having thoughts of getting rid of it all and changing systems. In fact I’d already decided which ship I was going to jump on – Sony – and which items I’d buy after watching a lot of YouTube videos.

Clubbed Spider Orchid by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — Clubbed Spider Orchid, Caladenia longiclavata. Williams, Western Australia.

To that end for last weeks road trip to Williams in search of the Common Dragon Orchid I dug out my much neglected Sony A7r2 and some lenses to reinforce this new plan and familiarise my self with the Sony ecosystem again.

The trip to Williams was great – it was a beautiful day and there were plenty of orchids to photograph. The only fly in the ointment was the photographic experience. It should be easy – I’ve done it so many times before. Find an orchid. Set up the camera on a tripod and point it at the orchid. Take the picture. What could go wrong? Well for this type of photography I rely heavily on the rear LCD screen and I’d forgotten that the screen on the Sony A7r2 is unusable in bright sunlight. Secondly I’ve become very reliant on having touch control on the rear LCD so I can easily select the focus point and trip the shutter. There’s no such function on the Sony and there is a very convoluted system of setting the AF point. Then there is the woeful battery life of the Sony A7r2. I went through 4 batteries in two hours where as with the Olympus I wouldn’t even get through 1/2 a battery. I could continue with more points of frustration and irritation, Lord knows there were loads of them, but I’ll refrain. By the end of the morning I was wishing I’d taken my Olympus EM1 mk ii with me. Were there any positive points? Well yes I love the files from that 42Mp Sony sensor. I really like the Sigma 105mm macro lens. But, unfortunately the negatives outweighed the positives and it made me realise why I’ve stopped using the Sony A7r2.

I’ve already started to get things together for this week’s trip and my Olympus kit, minus the flash, has gone back in the bag. As to whether I will change will depend upon whether OM Systems Australia returns my lens in a functioning state.

Common Dragon Orchid by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — Common Dragon Orchid, Caladenia barbarossa.Williams, Western Australia

Harrismith – the return

October 19, 2025 | paulamyes

Taarblin Lake by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — From my last visit to Harrismith in 20212. It all looks a bit apocolyptic.

Harrismith is a very small town (population 52) 260km east of Perth in the Wheatbelt. Now we went there some thirteen years ago looking for orchids and we didn’t find any as it was too late. I did get the photo of the animal skull on pig face on a dried lake. So this year I’ve been looking for the Western Wispy Spider Orchid (Caladenia microchila) and the Yellow Granite Donkey Orchid and that search took me Harrismith as my last chance.

When I got there it was very apparent I wasn’t going to find much – the bush was very, very dry. Walking through it sounded like walking over Cornflakes – it was so crisp. What I did find was really on it’s last legs. There had been a substantial wildflower display, but it was basically all over. I’d have been better off going at least two weeks earlier. Still it was an enjoyable walk, there was plenty of bird activity and I left feeling I’d of got better photos if I’d taken my bird kit.

Sugar Orchid by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — Sugar Orchid, Ericksonella saccharata. Harrismith, Western Australia.

Green Spider Orchid by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — There’s always a Green Spider Orchid (Caladenia falcata).

Yellow Granite Donkey Orchid by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — Yellow Granite Donkey Orchid, Diuris hazeliae.

The Western Wispy continues to evade me. I’ll have to wait to early next spring to resume the search.

Oswald Sargent Reserve

September 28, 2025 | paulamyes

Earlier this month I wrote about my first orchid expedition of the season and I ended it with saying how I really liked the combination of my Olympus 40-150mm f2.8 and the 1.4 teleconverter. Well I’ve just reset the focus stacking mode on my Olympus EM1 mk ii and I went up to the nearby Oswald Sargent Reserve to see whether it worked. I took both my 60mm f2.8 macro and the afore mentioned 40-150mm + teleconverter.

It was a beautiful morning and there were hundreds of orchids out – it was quite a stunning display. There were so many flowers that I could afford to be very fussy pick specimens that had good backgrounds and in good light. It doesn’t always go as well as this.

Getting home and processing the photos I have to say that I much prefer the results from the 40-150mm combination. It’s not the sharpness of the lens, both lenses are very sharp. It is the way the lens renders the image. The way the tones in the out of focus areas merge smoothly and don’t draw attention away from the subject. When combined with focus stacking the effect is fantastic.

Chapman's Spider Orchid by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — Chapman’s Spider Orchid, Caladenia chapmanii. Oswald Sargent Reserve.

Little Pink Fairy Orchid by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — Little Pink Fairy Orchids, caladenia reptans subspecies reptans. Oswald Sargent Reserve.

Oswald Sargent was a very interesting character. While being a pharmacist here in York he was also an eminent amateur botanist and his family were pioneering photographers. His son left a large archive of photos documenting life in the town.

And We’re Off!!

September 7, 2025 | paulamyes

Mid August. Get the orchid books out. Find the maps. Load the coordinates into the GPS. Dust off the macro lens. Kweda here I come!!!

It was a hair raising journey. After our heavy winter rains the dirt roads resembled cold lumpy gritty porridge and for the last 10km the car fish tailed along the road the tyres struggling to get a grip at times. It was a relief to stop and park up by the mobile phone tower which was the only bit of hard ground. Considering the conditions I was amazed that there were any orchids out as most species don’t like getting their feet wet at all.

Talbot's Spider Orchid by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — Talbot＇s Spider Orchid, Caladenia pendens subsp talbotii. Kweda, Western Australia.

Winter Donkey Orchid by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — Winter Donkey Orchid, Diuris brumalis. Kweda, Western Australia.

Blue Beard by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — Blue Fairy Orchid or Blue Beard (Pheladenia deformis). Kweda, Western Australia.

Early Wheatbelt Spider Orchid by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — Early Wheatbelt Spider Orchid, Caladenia sp.’early wheatbelt’. Kweda, Western Australia.

I must say I’m really, really liking using the Olympus m.Zuiko 40-150mm f2.8 with the Olympus 1.4 Teleconverter MC-14 for focus stacking. It is a beautiful lens, probably the best one I’ve got.

A Mixed Bag

November 24, 2024 | paulamyes

Most of the time when I go out photographing I have something specifically in mind, but the other day my partner wanted to go to Lake Leschenaultia for a swim (I believe it’s now called “wild swimming” , but when I were a lad it was just called swimming). I was allocated driving duties and while the Beloved Significant Other was communing with the natural world via the water I was left to walk around the lake. I’d taken along with me one camera and one lens but I didn’t expect to get to use the combo as it was well past the usual post dawn photo time so I just went with the flow and see what I could find.

Scented Sun Orchid, by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — Scented Sun Orchid, Thelymitra macrophylla. I don’t really think of Lake Leschenaultia as a place for looking for orchids. You might see the occasional one but that would be it. On this visit I saw more that I’d ever done in over thirty years previously.

Wandering Percher by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — Wandering Percher, Diplacodes bipunctata. There was this little clearing in among the trees that had lots of everlastings, Blue Leschenaultias and flowering grass trees and the sun light was breaking through lighting it up. Looking carefully there loads and loads of different species of dragonfly that were roosting on the plants waiting for the sun’s warmth to wake them up.

Tau Emerald by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — Tau Emerald, Hemicordulia tau , Lake Leschenaultia, Western Australia.

Kwirlam by Paul Amyes on 500px.com — This Kwirlam or Purple Swamp Hen (Porphyrio porphyrio) gave a bit of a fright. I was photographing some dragonflies in the reed beds behind me when there was this angry squawking and then this psycho Purple Swamp Hen burst out from the vegetation and gave me what for. Normally they are very placid and I have had them come up to me and get in my camera bag looking for food. I don’t know what got this bird’s feathers ruffled. Lake Leschenaultia, Western Australia.

One of the most significant developments, to my mind at least, to have come out of the mirrorless camera revolution has been that of lens design. Free from the constraints of the SLR mirror box the short flange distance has allowed manufacturers to make lenses, especially telephoto and telephoto zoom lenses, that have very short minimum focusing distance. My Panasonic 100-400mm lens can do double duty. It’s great for photographing birds, but is a very competent lens for close up work. It makes it easy to travel very lightly for casual trips out.

paulamyes

This is the site for Australian visual journalist and writer Paul Amyes.

orchids

“Where have all the flowers gone?

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It’s That Time Already ?

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Farewell 2025

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A Reconciliation…

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Lamenting A Rash Decision

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Harrismith – the return

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Oswald Sargent Reserve

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And We’re Off!!

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A Mixed Bag

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