There’s a lot to appreciate about the mental peace that being in nature provides.
You can imagine it: leisurely walks along picturesque paths, Sunday strolls through vibrant, green fields, and long hikes in thick forests.
For most people, escaping the city to enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer is a highly rewarding experience. This is why many individuals make it a part of their weekly routine to help maintain their calmness and connection to reality.
Another advantage is that when you venture outdoors, you never know what surprises await you.
Reports indicate that Kym Beechey, an Australian woman, loves to take walks and admire the beauty of the natural world. She is a passionate amateur photographer who aims to capture some of the more extraordinary sights she encounters, although it can be tough since many animals, birds, and insects tend to be quite shy.
One day, Kym was out and thought she had spotted a baby tawny frogmouth, a bird resembling an owl.
Kym took out her phone, ready to snap a subtle picture. She thought the bird looked like it was smiling, so she zoomed in to get the perfect shot.
However, once she took the picture, she realized her mistake.
The creature was actually a banksia pod, not a bird at all. These often amusing-looking pods grow on banksia trees and can have a very unique appearance.
Check out Kym’s photo below:
Banksia trees are known to mainly thrive in the south-western region of Australia, although they can also be found in Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.
Even though banksia tree pods are often compared to pine cones, they are not classified as conifers.
It is thought that the unique appearance of banksia pods comes from the way their pods burst open, a process that often happens during the intense heat of forest fires, allowing their seeds to be released.
After having a good laugh at what she initially thought was a “baby bird,” Kym mentioned that she now has a rather unique photo to include in her collection.
