Only the beginning

When I wrote my last winter post I was expecting it to make the beginning of a season of hibernation, and season of little growth and little colour in terms of the garden. I suppose I was expecting a European reaction to winter: complete hibernation followed by a burst of colour and life when spring finally arrived.

Our garden couldn't be more different. The whole area is alive with colour, texture and a range of animals that start with the worms and snails and ends with the two cats who want to know everything, especially the location of two scared little frogs. Everywhere you look there is something new and unusual and unexpected ( by me at least; I expect the multitude of seedlings to die or be eaten or trampled to death) making it a joy to meander around the beds with a camera in hand and cat following closely behind.

The fur of these leaves contrasts with the bud of the banksia above, a style that seems more at home as fashionable headwear than centimetres from the ground in the Australian Bush. 

It is the underside of this leaf, reminiscent of the spores of the fern that captured my attention.

Two frogs in the mulching pile, trying to hide from discovery by us, or the two felines nosing around the area. 

I know not what this is but it reminds me of the Scottish thistle and English holly and has the prettiest bud. 

Its hard to believe that this is nature and was not around to offer inspiration to Van Gogh and Monet, for I think even I could have done a better job of making it look like a flower. 

The pink/red leschenaultia to compliment the blue. 

Hidden by a rock, in the corner of a garden bed, near the side door, barely two inches in length, this spider's web was bejewelled with crystal droplets that hung suspended there quivering with the slightest movement

It is a hakea or grevillia, or candlestick something. All I know is its pretty and the red version is also in flower down the length of Leach Hwy. Must... get... cutting. 

Emerging out of a bumper (unwanted) crop of Pin Cushion Hakea seedlings rose these two, the purple hovea standing proud and tall, and a double petalled tea tree, its magenta flowers contrasting superbly with the dusty green of its surrounds.

And when the rain stops and the sun comes out...