Kym Beechey, while hiking in Australia’s Popran National Park, hoped to capture photos of wildflowers. She often couldn’t snap fast-moving wildlife but believed her luck changed when she spotted what she thought was a baby tawny frogmouth bird perched on a limb. Excited, she readied her phone and zoomed in for a closer shot.
However, her excitement turned into disappointment as she realized it was a banksia pod, not a bird, with a unique, smile-like appearance.
Banksia pods, originating from southwestern Australia and found in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, are often compared to pine cones, but they are not related to pine trees. These pods grow on Banksia trees and can be used for various crafts. After the red or yellow flowers fall off, the cones remain on the tree, with seeds growing inside.
The hiker, despite the misidentification, cherished the experience and added the “baby bird” picture to her wildflower collection. Banksia pods often have distinctive appearances, making them resemble different objects.
