Finding peace and tranquility in nature is truly priceless.
Taking long walks through lush forests, strolling across green fields, and meandering down country lanes can do wonders for the soul, especially for those of us who are a little older and appreciate life’s simple pleasures.
One such nature enthusiast is Kym Beechey, a woman from Australia who loves immersing herself in the beauty of the great outdoors. Armed with her photography skills, Kym often goes on walks hoping to capture impressive shots of birds and animals in their natural habitats.
On one particular day, Kym spotted what she thought was a baby tawny frogmouth, a cute bird resembling an owl. Excited by this discovery, she quietly took out her phone, preparing to snap a perfect photo. The bird seemed to sport a smile-like expression, making it even more special.
Wanting to capture every detail, Kym zoomed in on the bird. But to her surprise, she soon realized her mistake. The “bird” she had been about to photograph was, in fact, a banksia pod. These peculiar-looking pods grow on banksia trees, creating a whimsical and unique appearance.
Known to grow mainly in southwestern Australia, banksia trees are often associated with pine cones, even though they are not conifers. The distinct appearance of their pods comes from the pods bursting open, usually during forest fires, and releasing their seeds.
Kym had a good laugh at her initial mistake of thinking the banksia pod was a “baby bird.” It’s moments like these that remind us of the surprises nature has in store for us. And now, she has a truly one-of-a-kind photo to add to her collection.
Like me, you might not have heard of banksia trees before. They truly are fascinating!
