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Jean Fleming's avatar

I just love this. I’ve just returned from three weeks in Tasmania and have taken so many photos of flowers, including orchids, flag irises and gorgeous warratahs. But if I could, i would share a photo of a Tasmanian devil, sunbathing. “The warmer he gets the redder his ears” the devil whisperer told us. I haven’t worked out how to post photos on Substack yet.

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Melanie Newfield's avatar

That sounds wonderful - there are just so many exciting Australian plants. And wow, sunbathing Tasmanian devil, how fantastic. I'm not sure if it's possible to post photo comments. But I'll imagine it.

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Vicky Mabin's avatar

Thank you so much. Really lovely - did brighten my day, thanks, and reminds me of various travels including alpine exploring.

Sister and b-i-l in Nelson are Bot Soc'ers there and tell me that the last one is called the Secretary Daisy, named after Sinclair (c. 1796–1861). Colonial Secretary and naturalist. History tied up in there as well.

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Melanie Newfield's avatar

Thanks Vicky. Sinclair sounds like an interesting individual, looks like he did was involved with some important botany.

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Mark Dolan's avatar

My wife likes always liked daisies, especially gerber daisies. We are awfully far away from the growing zone :(

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Melanie Newfield's avatar

I love gerberas as well. My grandmother used to have them in her garden but I've never had much success, they aren't the kind of thing which would do well in Wellington.

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Mark Dolan's avatar

I think most of the Gerber Daisies we see here in the US are likely grown in South America -- probably mostly in Columbia and Venezuela. I recently finished a book that was about the extinction of species currently in progress. It is remarkable how quickly habitat is shifting.

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Eleanor Mayer's avatar

The Vegetable sheep are delightful !! 😊

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Melanie Newfield's avatar

They are, aren't they!

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Heather Wall's avatar

Great pictures, Melanie! Thank you for sharing! Something that brought me joy this week -- riding my bike near a cold river and suddenly riding through the warm breath of air that comes with a sunny spot in the forest...

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Melanie Newfield's avatar

That's lovely! I had a similar but opposite experience on a hot day in the forest. I walked past a place where there was an old tunnel, and the air was cool because of the nearby tunnel. Fascinating how these microclimates occur.

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