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Tree ferns grow at a rate of 1-2 crowns a year. This corresponds to 2-5cm, so a 5m tall tree fern (as shown in this picture) could be 200 years old |
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Although these trees don't compare to those in old-growth forest in gippsland, these particular specimens would be at least 50m. |
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There is a rather nice butterfly in the middle of this picture; but like all pictures of butteryflies and parrots they appear brightly coloured and obvious when you are there, and somehow disappear into the film. If you cant find it Here's a hint |
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Before we started our hike we took a photo of the mountain in the distance. There are actually 3 TV transmitter towers up the top, but they seem to be stealth towers :-) |
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The landscape is somewhat strange, we start out in a semi-rural area which quite dramatically transforms as we head up the hill. |
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Most of the lower valleys of victoria are natively covered in messmates and grasses. This form of forest is called dry scleraphyl. |
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More dry scleraphyl forest. |
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Once we made it to the top we were greeted by an echidna. |
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A better shot once we were sure it wouldn't run away. |
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The view from the top of corhanwarrabul. Not the nicest view of melbourne. |
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A giant puffball. |
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A view into the dandenong creek gully. |
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The traditional family shot... |
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A rather impressive growth of moss on the inside of a fallen log. |
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The side of a mountain ash with a side cut off, possibly for territory marking by the early settlers of this area, or perhaps just some parasite. |
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Often the underside of a treefern is covered in other smaller ferns. Sometimes a seed from one of the surrounding trees germinates and actually grows through the middle of the treefern. |
