It Was the Weatherman's Fault

We have a local television weatherman who's a keen gardener. Even when he's telling us about the below freezing nights and the wind chill factor, he wears a flower in his lapel. He finishes every weather report with "today I'm wearing a namus scientificus" and rather often said bloom is from the Botanic Gardens. So today I went to the Botanic Gardens in search of those winter blooms.

I suppose it would have made sense to start at the Visitors Centre, where it turns out they have available maps and lists of "what's blooming this week". But fearing I would have trouble dragging myself back out of the warmth and cosiness, I marched determinedly straight into the gardens first.

The outdoor seating around the cafe was empty.

There was no sign of the water dragons we often see.

But there were birds to be seen. Some were darting around too quickly to photograph, especially in less than ideal light, but magpie was wandering around the lawn looking for grubs and was easy to photograph.

And then I saw them!

Banksias! Here's one with hubby's hand to give you an idea of the size.

A little further along was this remarkable plant. I thought I had photographed the identification sign but having double checked it turns out to be the wrong one.

So I don't know what it is. Amazing leaves.

Walking uphill, I wondered when all this exercise was going to start warming me up. I should have worn a hat. The light shining through a group of eucalyptus trees was worth pausing to take a photo, and then we hurried on.

Aha, more flowers! Grevillea lanigera.

Ooh, Wollemi pines! These were only known from fossils until a group was discovered in a remote gorge in a national park less than twenty years ago. They are now grown in various botanic gardens and are also available for purchase for home gardens. They are not true pines but are related to Bunya pines, Norfolk Island pines, Hoop pines and Monkey Puzzle trees.

With the light fading fast we headed back towards the Visitors Centre. I love the texture of these acacias. This variety is grown for its foliage rather than flowers.

Then this gorgeous plant, Grevillea tripartita, caught my eye.

In a pot outside the Visitors Centre door was this Blandfordia grandiflora.

Inside the Visitors Centre we had a look at a photographic exhibition and purchased some beautiful greeting cards featuring plants and animals. Driving out towards the city centre we saw flocks of white cockatoos feeding so out came the camera again.

Looking through today's, um, yesterday's photos I've quite lost track of time, so that's it for now.