Here are two photos from eight years back, of another Illawarra flame tree with Hibiscus harlequin bugs on it. As you can see, they were everywhere, but appeared to be feeding on the mature, open seed pods.
/end.

#photography #macro #insects #HibiscusHarlequin #IllawarraFlameTree #nature #Dogwalking #art #ArtMatters #AYearForArt

Hibiscus harlequin bugs, redux

Eight years ago, while walking the dog, I chanced on an Illawarra flame tree that was absolutely festooned with Hibiscus harlequin bugs (Tectocoris diophthalmus). I’d encountered single specimens before, but never in such numbers (I’ll add a couple of pix as a thread).
Since then I’ve again encountered them in ones and twos, but this morning, again while walking the dogs, I stopped to take another photo of an Illawarra seed pod I’ve been watching mature.
To my surprise, it had Hibiscus harlequin bugs on it, never before seen on this particular tree. So of course I had to go home and swap my iPhone for the D700 and macro lens, and endure the curious glances of passers-by as I perched on top of a stone bench with my tripod.
🧵 ...

#photography #macro #insects #HibiscusHarlequin #IllawarraFlameTree #nature #Dogwalking #art #ArtMatters #AYearForArt

👀
#IllawarraFlametree #Illawarra #flametree

Look at this stunning #illawarraflametree living it’s best life in #Caulfield #Australia!

It’s late in it’s flowering cycle whereby it’s leaves fall, revealing a sea of bright red. My fav colour!

I love these #summer marvels!

#urbanflora #flora #gardening #garden #melbourne #aesthetichedonist #gardeningAU #gardening #narrm #victoria #Australia #godmustbeabotanist #makesmehappy

This #Illawarraflametree is just stunning.

There are half a dozen in various states of bloom in #Southbank #Australia atm (along the south side of Southbank Boulevard).

As their #summer cycle progresses, their leaves fall to reveal a sea of red flowering masses of brilliance.

These are humble sized trees compared with those growing in more northern territories eg in #NewSouthWales, but still a sight to behold!

#urbanflora #flora #gardening #garden #melbourne #flametree #aesthetichedonist #januaryjoy #gardeningAU #gardening #narrm #victoria #Australia #godmustbeabotanist #makesmehappy

It’s #flametree-Friday!

This will drop every single leaf soon.

They’re renowned for their display of vibrant-only red ♥️♥️♥️

The #illawarraflametree is truly one of a kind.

Location: #Caulfield

Melbourne, Australia.

#urbanflora #flora #gardening #garden #melbourne #aesthetichedonist #januaryjoy #gum #gumtree #narrm #victoria #Australia #godmustbeabotanist #makesmehappy

<Phone is doing funny things, like omitting text. Or maybe it’s the operator 🤔😏 Take two… >

Meet an #Illawarraflametree.

It is small by usual standards but I suspect it’s because it’s quite young and its ability to source water (due to being surrounded by bitumen) is likely another.

It is normally found in tropical and subtropical regions on the east coast of Australia. It is famous for the bright red bell-shaped flowers.

These flowers located in #collingwood #Australia appear more red with a touch of pink.

Just couldn’t pass up an opportunity to share!

🙏💖

#urbanflora #flora #gardening #garden #melbourne #naarm #victoria #Australia #aesthetichedonist #godmustbeabotanist #makesmehappy

The flame tree, or #Illawarraflametree is endemic to tropical and subtropical regions on the east coast of #Australia.

It is known for its distinctive bright red bell-shaped flowers that often cover the whole tree when it is leafless.

They’re not so prolific in #victoria, and I don’t believe they flower as abundantly here, as I’ve seen them in the more northern States (warmer, tropical climates) and they are stunning when in full bloom.

This one is just starting its seasonal flowering journey (plenty of buds in pic 3) and you can see a few of the bright red ‘bells’ fully emerging now.

I suspect this tree will be looking glorious in the next couple of weeks.

This pic was taken near a sporting field in Caulfield.

#urbanflora #flora #gardening #garden #victoria #Australia #aesthetichedonist #godmustbeabotanist #makesmehappy