Reader’s Wildlife Photos
Today I’ve posted another wonderful set of nature photos, shared with permission from Australian biologist and photographer Scott Ritchie. His work captures the beauty of native flora, particularly orchids from the Stirling Range.
The region is known for its stunning spring blooms, featuring many rare and unusual orchids found only there. Below are some of the remarkable flowers Scott recently photographed during his field visit.
Scott Ritchie: “The wasp attempts to mate with the orchid (the dark part in the upper right that mimics a female wasp). The part of the flower to the immediate left then bobs down in response to the wasp’s weight, attaching a pollen packet to its back.”
These intricate interactions between insects and orchids highlight the delicate balance of pollination in the wild.
Author’s Summary
Scott Ritchie’s stunning photos from the Stirling Range showcase rare orchids and their fascinating relationship with local pollinators.