Pilbara Gems: Wildflowers–Part 1

September is the time of year when Western Australia comes alive with wildflowers – well, most of it anyway. Most people may think of the wildflowers down the south west corner – kangaroo paw and the like. Here in the Pilbara though, the wildflowers bring life and colour to the otherwise arid, spinafex covered landscape. And we aren’t just talking one or two here, no. A whole sea of colours – pinks, yellows, oranges, whites, blues, reds, blacks, maroons, purples, greens, browns…just to name a few.

In celebration of September and the coming of spring (ignoring the fact that we are already getting days above 35 degrees Celsius) I would like to highlight some of the incredible and unique flowers that have graced the landscape.

To begin with, I would like to focus on the Mulla Mulla – purple at first glance, but upon further investigation are full of different shades, as well as whites and contrast nicely with the green leaves.

Betsy, with f/8, 1/640 shutter, ISO 500, -0.3 step exposure bias, 200 mm, shutter priority. Taken in the morning and displays the wonderful way these flowers grow and their prolific nature.  

Betsy, f/18, 1/320 second shutter. ISO 500, -0.3 step exposure bias, 185 mm, aperture priority. My favourite point of view of the Mulla Mulla. 

Mulla Mulla are likely the most prolific where we are. They do come in shades of green and white. There are also a number of different varieties that are different shades of purple. When they grow, they get longer and longer and they are surprisingly soft.