The Otways

[MickyB]

A couple of photos from a hike I did in the Otways today:

Owl.jpg (252.12 KiB) Viewed 5260 times

Blechnum Forcett Feather.jpg (114.72 KiB) Viewed 5260 times

I am not 100% sure but the Fishbone Water Fern (Blechnum nudum) could be B.nudum 'Forcett Feather'. As far as I know this form has never been recorded in Victoria and is/was only know to grow in a small area in Tassie. There were about 6 plants that I found today.

[Giddy_up]

Any clues on the type of owl, lovely to catch one out and about in daylight. Nice pics too, thanks for the share.

[MickyB]

Thanks Giddy_up. I think I scared the B'Jesus out of him and then he scared the B'Jesus out of me. I was walking up a creek when it suddenly flew from a branch, directly above me, to the another tree. He was happy to stay in that tree though while I took some photos. I think it was a Powerful Owl but I am happy to be corrected by anyone. I do know that Powerful Owls are found in that area.

[Giddy_up]

He/she is a magnificent bird. You sure can see why there efficient hunters at night with those eyes.

[MickyB]

I am not 100% sure but the Fishbone Water Fern (Blechnum nudum) could be B.nudum 'Forcett Feather'. As far as I know this form has never been recorded in Victoria and is/was only know to grow in a small area in Tassie. There were about 6 plants that I found today.

For those who are interested - I spoke to a fern expert today and he said that there is a good chance that this fern is Blechnum nudum 'Forcett Feather'. However there some B.nudum that appear like this but if you were to transplant them into another area they would revert back to normal. Some of it's characteristics point to it being Forcett Feather and others point to it being a normal B.nudum. I will have to wait until Feb/March when it starts to produce fertile fronds to confirm either way (different appearance apparently). To the best of his knowledge Forcett Feather has not been recored outside of Tassie.