I can't really say that I have ever noticed spring flowers before my years in Australia. With each passing year, I noticed more and more. It's like reading a book or watching the same movie over and over again - every time you see something new that you had missed before.
I first noticed Wattles in Spring 2016, while driving to work. Just under the Edgar road exit on Western Ring Road, there are a bunch of wattle bushes. Throughout the year they are the most boring, arid-looking and dull bushes you can think of! But come spring, and the wattles burst into life (for a brief month) and make it look spectacular. This year, I wanted to capture them on camera.
Easier said than done! Wattle grows everywhere in public places - along roads, in reserves etc. But, literally, nowhere where you can stop and take a closeup. We even went to Wattle park in Burwood which claimed to have 200 wattles. Yet, there were none in the periphery of the park. As it was pouring down, we did not venture any further.
Finally, on our weekly walks to Westerfold park, we were able to photograph an early growing one.
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| Wattle at Westerfolds park |
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| Closeup of Wattle |
Alongside that, we also captured and unknown deciduous tree. Our neighbour across our house has it. The leaves are maroon in colour throughout and die during winter. In spring, at first the tree gives out white flowers, whose petals keep blowing in the wind. These last no more than two weeks, after which leaves appear.
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| Unknown deciduous tree |
I got more pictures in Mornington Peninsula, where there were many viewpoints where one could stop and take pictures. This one was growing right next to the parking, hence I was able to get a close shot.
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| Wattle on the way to Arthur's seat |
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| Standing out on the hillside - 1 |
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| Standing out on the hillside - 2 |
