Prairie Crocus

Yesterday, on the way home after a volunteer shift, I called in at Sandy Beach to look for Prairie Crocuses. Though the first one was reported early this year, on 14th March by George Dixon, I hadn't been out to look till yesterday late afternoon. There were a number of clumps of these beautiful flowers, almost all were closed and they looked rather washed out and the worse for wear. Think I only saw two flowers that were actually open like this. Flowers open during the day but close at night. The wind was dreadful - had to be careful not to stand near the edge of the "cliff".

Barely getting on to Flickr the last couple of days! Winter is over (we hope) and so all my botany and birding days are finally here and life turns into one endless, insane period for the next seven or so months. Took myself off to the Zoo for a short while this afternoon, needing to do a bit of walking before a day's walk tomorrow, out of town. Not sure if I'll be able to manage the whole thing (wretched pain!), but I'm really hoping I won't have to miss any of it!

Oh, if anyone happens to read this, we discovered that the Creatures of the Night area at the Zoo, in the Australia House, has closed down (permanently). I am so thankful that I was in there very recently and managed to get my shots of the absolutely beautiful little Red Eyed Tree Frog. Now they are to be seen no more. Phil, that must be so disappointing to you - I know if our positions were reversed, I would have been really disappointed. Who knows, though, maybe they can find some dark little corner to put their very small aquarium? Certainly worth asking about. Good to see you and Jen there : )