Orange Pincushion (Leucospermum Cordifolium) Protea & friend

Adrian Paul

Orange Pincushion (Leucospermum Cordifolium) Protea & friend

This image of the Orange Pincushion Protea, a variety of leucospermum endangered in its native South Africa, was taken in King’s Park Perth, Western Australia. I was initially attracted to the exotic African flower and then spied the bee, which very patiently waited while I set up my camera. After one shot he flew away!

Habit: Rounded shrub to 2m across
Fire survival: Killed, only seeds survive
Sexual system: Both sexes in each flower
Flowers: August – January
Pollinator: Birds
Fruit: Released 2 months after flowering
Seed dispersal: Ants
Seed storage: Underground in ants nests
Rarity status: Not threatened
Habitat: Acidic sandy soils: 30-500m
Distribution: Agulhas from Kogelberg to Bredasdorp (South Africa).,

Camera Nikon D80. Lens Nikon Macro 70-200 VR zoom. No filter.

WINNER OF THE FLOWERS CHALLENGE IN THE RETIRED AND HAPPY GROUP

FEATURED in PROTEAS AND FRIENDS

FEATURED IN PROTEAS, LEUCADENDRON, LEUCOSPERMUM, OROTHAMNUS & SERRURIA

FEATURED IN ENDANGERED PLANTS

FEATURED IN KINGS PARK, PERTH

790 views as at 20 Dec 2009

Orange Pincushion (Leucospermum Cordifolium) Protea & friend belongs to the following groups:

All About Flowers, Australia! You're Standing In it...., Bee & Wasp Passions, Birds and Creatures of Flight, Butterflies, Skippers, Moths, & Other Winged Insects (2 a Day), Endangered or Vulnerable Plants, Friends of RedBubble, Kings Park Perth, Nature's Wonders, North Coast Photographic Forum, Old farts of redbubble, Perth, Plight of the Bumble Bee, Proteas, Leucadendron, Leucospermum, Orothamnus & Serruria, THE 500 TO 5000 VIEWINGS GROUP, The true beauty and Vibrant and Vivid Color
Orange Pincushion (Leucospermum Cordifolium) Protea & friend by Adrian Paul
Orange Pincushion (Leucospermum Cordifolium) Protea & friend by Adrian Paul
  • coffeetea

    coffeetea

    excellent macro! such a rare plant… beautiful

  • Adrian Paul replied

    Thanks coffeetea. I was lucky to get this one.

  • Caroline Gorka

    Caroline Gorka

    Exquisite detail :)

  • Adrian Paul replied

    Thank you for your positive comment, Caroline and also for adding me to your watchlist.

  • Sharon Johnstone

    Sharon Johnstone

    Stunning shot!!!!

  • Grace Leung

    Grace Leung

    Gorgeous colours & amazingly sharp! would also love to see it with the bee cropped out for an abstract image.

  • Adrian Paul replied

    Thank you. That is an interesting suggestion. I might try it and see what the result looks like.

  • amanda Rae

    amanda Rae

    what can i say but WOW

  • Adrian Paul replied

    Thank you for your comment and also for adding me to your watch-list. I appreciate it.

  • Claire  Farley

    Claire Farley

    Excellent macro! Love the detail.

  • Adrian Paul replied

    Thanks Claire.I appreciate the comment.

  • kalaryder

    kalaryder

    Fabulous shot, would you like to put this in the Protea Group please

  • Adrian Paul replied

    Thanks.OK, will do. Are you able to identify the flower?

  • Sensiworld

    Sensiworld

    Beautiful !

  • Adrian Paul replied

    Thanks Sylvia

  • georgieboy98

    georgieboy98

    I know the African gardens in the park and was taking photos there not many weeks ago. I’ll look back through them to see if I managed to get any of the name plaques. This picture is a delight for the eyes. Wonderful shot. Peter

  • Adrian Paul replied

    I’d appreciate that, Peter. If I hadn’t been lazy, I would have taken the time to record the species myself.

  • bevanimage

    bevanimage

    Brilliant macro, Adrian, with gorgeous detail and colour.

  • Adrian Paul replied

    Thnak you. I appreciate your positive comments.

  •  Cheri Perry

    Cheri Perry

    Congratulations! You’re the winner of the “Flowers” Challenge in the Retired & Happy Group.
    Your image is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

  • Daniel Majeskey

    Daniel Majeskey

    Wonderful macro. Congrats on the contest win.

  • Adrian Paul replied

    Thank you Daniel.

  • BarbL

    BarbL

    Very, very special shot…such a unique flower and wonderful capture with your little “friend”......congrats on the win…well deserved!

  • Adrian Paul replied

    Thank you for your generous comment. I really appreciate it.

  • kalaryder

    kalaryder

    Congratulations – featured in Reflections in Endangered Plants Group

  • Adrian Paul replied

    Thanks Mik. I am delighted!

  • Colin12

    Colin12

    Delightful and colourful. Very nice.

  • Adrian Paul replied

    Thanks for your comments, Colin

  • Tallow

    Tallow

    fantastic work Andrian

  • Adrian Paul replied

    Thanks for your comment, Tallow.

  • SusanAdey

    SusanAdey

    Magnificent macro. I have one of these in my garden and had no idea that they are threatened in their native country.

  • Adrian Paul replied

    Thank you. Neither did I until I found out what it was and looked it up.

  • TracyD

    TracyD

    Gorgeous colour and macro! very nice!

  • Adrian Paul replied

    Thank you

  • kalaryder

    kalaryder 11 days ago

  • Adrian Paul

    Adrian Paul 10 days ago

    Thank you for featuring this work, Mik and all the best for Christmas and the New Year.

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