'A pot of gold' as small orchids delight avid hunters

In the green undergrowth of Western Australia, nature photographers are discovering hidden treasures: native orchids. While the region anticipates a spectacular wildflower season, these elusive blooms are currently offering a unique and rewarding experience for those who seek them out.

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When you do find them, you really feel like you've found a pot of gold.

Geraldton-based photographer Bill Belson, 64, described the thrill of finding these delicate flowers as akin to discovering "a pot of gold." For Belson, who has been photographing nature for decades, the hunt for orchids is a form of therapy. "Get out into the bush, get the exercise, get the fresh air, and go and find some of these beautiful gems," he advised. He finds magic in observing the seasonal changes, from the green flush after rain to the vibrant colors of blooming flowers, seeing it as nature's way of signaling that life has returned.

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Get out into the bush, get the exercise, get the fresh air, and go and find some of these beautiful gems.

This year is being hailed as an exceptional "orchid year" in the Morawa region, according to volunteer wildflower tour guide Leonie Aspin. She noted a high abundance of spider orchids, blue fairy orchids, donkey orchids, and pink candy orchids. Aspin highlighted that the small size of these flowers, often only 5 to 10 centimeters tall, means they can easily be overlooked. However, she pointed out that the current period, before the peak wildflower season, is ideal for spotting them without the distraction of more dominant blooms.

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This year is definitely an orchid year.

Morawa, a town with a population of about 450, is preparing for a surge in visitors, with volunteers at the Visitors Centre anticipating "chaos" as hundreds are expected to flock to the area. The combination of the early orchid blooms and the anticipation of the broader wildflower season makes this a prime time for nature enthusiasts to explore the Midwest region of Western Australia.

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These things are tiny, like 5 centimeters, 10 centimeters, and they don't realise [the orchids are there]. It's a good time at the moment to spot them because you don't have the competition of the wildflowers at their peak time.