I have been out walking a lot lately, pounding the pavement, training for the 50km walk I plan to do in November.
Lining the roads and footpaths are quite plain, non-descript looking bushes, the type you often don’t notice.
This past week they have burst into flower. Now before you go expecting gorgeous floaty petals in violets and pinks with splashes of yellow.
Think again.
These bushes are called Callistemon, also know as Bottle Brush by us Aussies.
The branches tend to droop, the Bottle Brush flowers gently swaying and hovering above your head as you wander by.
Usually I don’t have my camera when I see them, this is serious walking training remember. Today I decided to grab Miss Fancy Pants Camera and go take a closer look.
These are the tight little buds ready to spring open
Here they are in various stages, fascinating.
Here is a fully opened Bottle Brush flower
Then it happened, as I knelt down to examine the bush more closely look who popped his head out to say hello.
Gorgeous isn’t he. Thankfully not camera-shy either.
Nature at her most unusual, colourful and to my delight unpredictable.
My up close encounter, a fragile moment of natural bliss.
What have you stopped to admire in your neighbourhood lately?
This is Day 16 of my 31 days of Captured Bliss
Karen, I love this post, your pictures and that bit of bliss that popped out. I have a bottle brush in my yard (Florida) and we get hummingbirds. So it looks like that cutie (what type bird is it?) isn’t the only one hanging out. xo
Hummingbirds how adorable. This is a native Australian Parrot, we have always called them rosellas, they are very pretty to look at, particularly the crimson ones. They screech a deafening noise though that is not so pretty.
Beautiful, you take great pictures. He was waiting to be captured in his moment of bliss amongst the Spring flowers.
Sarah, thanks for the generous compliment, it means a lot to know my photos are enjoyed.
We have bottle brush at our home in Galveston, Texas but I never imagined photos of the flowers could be so beautiful and….we would never find your surprise visitor in these parts! What a wonderful blissful experience!
Jan, I have always taken these flowers for granted and had never had such a long look at them before. The beauty I find when grabbing the camera and viewing life through its lens.
What amazing photos! And that bird is so sweet! Right now, it is fall in New England and the leaves are turning from green into beautiful red and orange. I think this weekend is going to be the “peak” weekend for them before they start falling off the trees (and cold winter comes)!
Thank you for your very generous compliment. Autumn (Fall) is such a stunning time of year, enjoy those last few colours.
Ok – so how fantastic was it to have that visitor pop out! Wow. So colourful! You are very blessed. The bottle tree is also gorgeous – we have nothing like that here (except perhaps at our Aquarium).
In my neighbourhood Poppy (border collie cross) and I enjoyed a lovely, crunchy leaved walk. The leaves are in full colour now. Oranges, reds and yellows like you wouldn’t believe.
Kelly he was very cheeky, cute though
Those pictures are gorgeous and I love the little visitor too! What a beautiful bird!!
These parrots are stunning although very very noisy
I could see that, but it would be so exciting to see one! We don’t have them in New England! 🙂
Karen, in my former comment I totally skipped over the fact that you’re training for a 50K. You go girl. That’s a long way. I imagine you know that, though. 🙂
Yes Susan it is a mega long way for me, thanks for the support
It’s amazing to see the delights and uniqueness of Australia in your pics and words. I’ve never seen a flower like that. It’s truly one of a kind…thank you for sharing. 🙂
Tami Australia has a lot of unique foliage and of course animals. I love to show it off whenever I can.