Many early colonists thought the Australian bush a drab monotone of greyish green, blinded as they still were by the vivid lime greens and emeralds of their European trees and mist-made lawns.
I hope closer acquaintance taught them to see more clearly – if they hadn’t cleared all the bush around them.
At present my forest’s greens of a million hues are lit by fiery reds and hot pinks as new spring growth announces its presence.
These small ferns (left) prefer the shadier side of the mountain but are particularly beautiful when backlit, set alight by sunshine striking into a clearing. I stopped on the muddy track to capture the moment as their individual tongues of fire flamed amongst the grass.
The sunny side of the forest holds its fires high, blazing in bunches through the dense older growth and across the sky. We may not get autumn colour, but I challenge anyone to say that our eucalypts are drab or lacking seasonal variety. These gum tips are downright pretty!
I think many people need to get their eyes ‘in’, to adjust their perceptions, to see those colours Laura.
Ah the colours of the Australian bush, just beautiful!