Dear Reader:
As we walk around the waterhole, I notice a large spider clinging to the corner of a fallen branch. Closer examination reveals it to be the shed carapace of a large Huntsman Spider.
Spider carapace
We are continuing (see previous post) our walk around the Pangarinda Botanic Park in Wellington East. We have reached a waterhole which is currently dry but surrounded by flowering Grass Trees and Kangaroo Paws. Nearby there are many other native bushes, many of which have ID markers.
Grass Trees and scrub
Kangaroo Paws
Hundreds of insects are feeding on the tiny flowers which coat the Grass Trees. Most are introduced Honey Bees. However, there are some larger bees that might be natives as well as ants and a butterfly species which I do not recognise.
Flowering Grass Tree and butterfly
The next section of our walk is dominated by numerous Eremophila species. These beautiful flowering bushes have delicate curved, tubular flowers in a wide range of colours. Many varieties are well adapted to dryland conditions. Eremophilas are often used in gardens as they attract honeyeaters and other small, nectar feeding birds.
Eremophila polyclada
New Holland Honeyeater in yellow Eremophila
It is getting late in the day and with an hour and a half drive in front of us there is time for one last stop. We are only a couple of minutes’ from the Wellington ferry and it would be remiss not to spend a few minutes by the river.
Wellington ferry
Wetland pool near the ferry with old mechanical windmill
There are a couple of small reedy, pools alongside the ferry ramp and we can hear Australian Reed Warblers calling. Tiny fish swim in small schools near the surface of the water. In the distance Black-tailed Native hens are feeding in a paddock.
Australian Reed Warbler, near Wellington ferry, credit David Morris
Black-tailed Native Hens at distance
Our day complete, we turn for home and enjoy the wide variety of dryland landscapes this part of South Australia has to offer.
Rural landscape near Wellington
Cheers
Baz
Additional notes
The camera used for this post is a Nikon Coolpix P900
This is an easy walk and drive which is quite suitable for families and seniors with public toilets, picnic area, information maps, tags and placards and parking. It is dog friendly.
Please pass on this blog title and or contact information (URL) to any person or organisation with an interest in taking walks and enjoying wildlife in SA.
Click on these links and see more South Australian stories and pictures in my Weekend Notes articles as well as locating similar blogs on Feedspot’s top 20 Australian wildlife blogs
Naturally South Australia 
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