03 June 2008

Tuesdays Trees #8 - Kapok Tree

Have you ever been driving along the road when a scene of incredible beauty jumped out at you and hit you between the eyes? This was one of those days.

The scenery between Seymour and Fort Beaufort has a rugged beauty unique to the Eastern Cape, but then we came across this farm where the Kapok Trees were in full bloom. I could not believe my eyes.


Fortunately there was a farm stall where we were able to stop and get a closer view of the flowers.


And it just got better and better, with these sunbirds flitting through the flowers sipping nectar. I think this is the Lesser Double-Collared Sunbird.



And if you are that way inclined, don't ever think you can climb one of these trees.


8 comments:

Kay said...

Oh my! This is absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for sharing your wonderful discovery with us. Those flowers look almost like orchids. The tree trunk is certainly quite daunting.

Rose said...

Wow! VEry, very beautiful!

Texas Travelers said...

Beautiful.
Troy

photowannabe said...

Oooo ouch but oh so pretty. I'm glad you could stop and capture it for us.

sonia a. mascaro said...

What a wonderful photos, Max! Just gorgeous tree and flowers! The trunk is amazing! In Portuguese its name is "Paineira".

Tom said...

Hi Max
Never seen or heard of these tree, they would certainly stop me in my tracks ... love that bark..

Bob Johnson said...

Wow, beautiful shots.

abb said...

Your beauty is so different than our beauty. Just as beautiful, but different.