Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Sculptures of a different 'genus'.....


It struck me that after a week of showing 'man made' sculptures Mother Nature is pretty astounding in this department herself. Walking through Hepburn Heights bushlands yesterday it was fascinating to see the complete life-cycle of the Banksia (native to WA) happening in all it's various stages on the one tree. In the top shot you can see the flower spike covered in tightly packed flowers ready to burst forth, and at the back a very old hairy spike. Below left in a blaze of full bloom colour, an important source of food for nectivorous birds and small mammals who play a big part in pollinating the Banksia. To the right the fruit of the Banksia, a woody follicle imbedded in the axis of the spike which usually only open after stimulated by bushfire. Below, this particular tree is the  Banskia prionotes, they can look a little 'shabby chic' with all this activity going on at the same time, but it is a typically WA bush and kerbside tree that we enjoy every day. Hope your week has started well, still hot and humid here in Perth, but hopefully not for much longer, take care.....

40 comments:

  1. Ugh to spammers! Wonderful sculptures, nature never ceases to amaze!! And native Australian flora and fauna are some of the most amazing I've ever seen - gorgeous captures!

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  2. Beautiful captures!

    Have a great week.

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  3. How beautiful and different!! Mother Nature is a creative lady, isn't she! Love your captures as always! Hope your week is off to a great start!! Stay safe, enjoy and laugh a lot -- it's good for the body and the soul!

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  4. Very good pictures....that first one is a special one.

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  5. YOU are my Princess of Wonders, G!



    ALOHA from Honolulu
    Comfort Spiral
    ~ > < } } ( ° > <3

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  6. Stunning!

    They're so completely different from the plants I'm used to.

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  7. The Nature is a great artist !!
    Beautiful captures, Grace!

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  8. Nature is the greatest artist! Arianna

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  9. Talk about an exotic specimen (the tree Grace, not you - well ok you too).

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  10. Haha most exotic indeed! The Banksia is certainly a curious and beautiful plant. Right time for great shots grace!

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  11. I am ever so amazed at the glorious imagination of mother nature. I thought our desert plants were unusual things. This is a very unusual and unique plant.

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  12. Mother Nature is the greatest artist. Great series, Grace.

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  13. Nature at its best. Lovely interlude. That top shot shows up quite an extraordinary plant.

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  14. Yes, fine pieces of art, mankind would hardly be able to create. Please have a good Tuesday.

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  15. That is just fascinating. Wonderful shots.

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  16. What an amazing native Australian plant! I am fascinated with this Banksia plant.

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  17. The geometry of that Banksia flower is amazing. Nature is the ultimate artist.

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  18. Like how you captured the complete cycle of the Banksia, a nice reminder of Sir Joe's visit in 1770.

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  19. I've enjoyed your beach and au natural comparisons.

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  20. We don't have this Banksia here, so I find this post so interesting! Fascinating pods.

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  21. Well you grow some interesting stuff down there! :)
    V

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  22. What a great posting!

    Looks exotic to me.

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  23. Our Heavenly Father does indeed have quite the artistic flair.

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  24. You do have some interesting and beautiful flora down that-away! Your photos are beautiful.

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  25. fascinating ... i got a surprise in the mail, a friend grows her own loofas .. 3 oddly shaped cones of loofa .. and seeds ...

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  26. Spectacular artwork by Mother Nature!You got wonderful images!
    Léia

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