Beechmont Nature Journal 24th December 2019

The Queensland Lacebark Tree *Brachychiton discolor*

Along a path strewn with brown fire-killed leaves; dried, drought-killed leaves, and scattered with charcoal and ash – I find this:

Opulent pink flowers, freshly tumbled, two hundred or more. While above me springs the parent tree. Leafless, its bare slender branches adorned with pink blooms. Clustered fecundity, gaiety in this dry burnt landscape.

Queensland lacebark tree, butterflies tremble before your pink flowers. Lewin’s honeyeater dips his whole head in, embraced by generous furry petals, spread wide in welcome.

The lacebark tree (Brachychiton discolor) is cousin to the flame tree (Brachychiton acerifolius) : survivors of both are still flowering wildly in these dry, fire-blasted mountain forests. And supping the flowers of both is the extravagant Richmond Birdwing Butterfly. Usually rare (and still listed as vulnerable to extinction in Queensland), it has been unusually abundant in Beechmont this spring. Perhaps the heat and dryness agree with it?

Richmond Birdwing Butterfly *Ornithoptera richmondia* on a Flame Tree *Brachychiton acerifolius*

A yellow-tailed black-cockatoo wails sadly from afar. But nearby is a flash of bright yellow as a robin surveys the party of pink lacebark flowers, the wedding spree, the Christmas cheer, seemingly cast with joy and abandon.

Telling us that life springs anew, it always does. In ways unexpected.

We just need to go out and look.

10 Comments

Margaret Taylor on December 24, 2019 at 11:36 am

This is a lovely drawing Paula. I hope you have a lovely Christmas. Thanks for all your delightful Bush observances through the year, they brighten my day and the wonder of creation never ceases to amaze.

Paula Peeters on December 24, 2019 at 4:20 pm

Thanks Margaret for your kind words, and for reading! Have a peaceful and happy Christmas. Cheers, Paula

Peter on December 24, 2019 at 1:01 pm

Beautiful, thankyou for sharing

Paula Peeters on December 24, 2019 at 4:21 pm

Thanks Peter, and thank you for reading

Birder's Journey on December 25, 2019 at 11:25 pm

Lovely and informative, Paula!

Paula Peeters on December 29, 2019 at 9:19 am

Thanks!

Sarah W on December 28, 2019 at 11:15 am

Gorgeous drawing, Paula! Lovely that some blooms and butterflies are around to gladden your heart. Thanks for sharing, as your posts gladden my heart too! xo

Paula Peeters on December 29, 2019 at 9:23 am

Thanks Sarah!

Sue Southwood on December 29, 2019 at 4:29 pm

Nature is frightening and wonderful in all her moods.

Paula Peeters on December 30, 2019 at 9:10 am

Thanks Sue! Wonder, yes, but I must say that I rarely feel frightened by nature. And when that bushfire threatened to sweep us all up back in September, it felt almost too big, too elemental, to be frightened of. As if my paltry human emotions were so inconsequential in the face of that tremendous force of nature. I’m not sure if that makes any sense, but there you go.

Margaret Taylor on December 24, 2019 at 11:36 am

This is a lovely drawing Paula. I hope you have a lovely Christmas. Thanks for all your delightful Bush observances through the year, they brighten my day and the wonder of creation never ceases to amaze.
- Paula Peeters on December 24, 2019 at 4:20 pm
  
  Thanks Margaret for your kind words, and for reading! Have a peaceful and happy Christmas. Cheers, Paula
Peter on December 24, 2019 at 1:01 pm

Beautiful, thankyou for sharing
- Paula Peeters on December 24, 2019 at 4:21 pm
  
  Thanks Peter, and thank you for reading
Birder's Journey on December 25, 2019 at 11:25 pm

Lovely and informative, Paula!
- Paula Peeters on December 29, 2019 at 9:19 am
  
  Thanks!
Sarah W on December 28, 2019 at 11:15 am

Gorgeous drawing, Paula! Lovely that some blooms and butterflies are around to gladden your heart. Thanks for sharing, as your posts gladden my heart too! xo
- Paula Peeters on December 29, 2019 at 9:23 am
  
  Thanks Sarah!
Sue Southwood on December 29, 2019 at 4:29 pm

Nature is frightening and wonderful in all her moods.
- Paula Peeters on December 30, 2019 at 9:10 am
  
  Thanks Sue! Wonder, yes, but I must say that I rarely feel frightened by nature. And when that bushfire threatened to sweep us all up back in September, it felt almost too big, too elemental, to be frightened of. As if my paltry human emotions were so inconsequential in the face of that tremendous force of nature. I’m not sure if that makes any sense, but there you go.