Locally the strelitzia plant or tree is commonly known as the Crane Bird or Bird of Paradise plant. The flower buds form tight beaks, which hunt high until they burst forth like tufted bird heads. As winter approaches the buds begin to flower, and one of my recent gardening tasks was to prune away the last of the seed pods from last years flowers. I marvel at the robust design of the pods, the last of the seeds have soft bright orange wadding to protect their casings. The birds have had their fair share of the seeds, and now the last will be carefully sown in moist loamy soil.
Nature on the Edge 
Really wonderful set of shots Liz. Well done.
Thanks Tina, i enjoyed doing the macro shots…
Beautiful images Liz! Love the information that comes with your pictures.
Great comment, thanks Uday :).
I’ve never seen the seed heads or the plant as it decays, how wonderful even then. Great photos Liz.
Thanks Gilly. Agree… gorgeous structure. Makes for an intricate flower pod arrangement 🙂
Simply fantastic!