[Dujon]

Ispom, thanks for the references. I hesitated to call the 'flame tree' the 'Illawarra flame tree' as there are local names, and indeed, small differences - as mentioned by Paul.

I am not aware as to whether or not you have visited Australia, though I suspect that you have not. If I am right then put aside your visions of a vast green land; it's not. The green colours here, though probably as many and varied as those in Europe, the U.S.of A., and the British Isles, are much more muted. You could almost call them dull.

As fringe_dweller mentioned, the birds here do add a dash of colour. The white/pink/black cockatoos and the various lorikeets and other parrots can make an afternoon pure delight. Just yesterday I took my daily 'constitutional' and passed a property with a front lawn populated by a dozen or so galahs. The nearest was only a couple of metres away from me. The whole group pretty well ignored my presence. It makes me feel good to know that I won't hurt them and they reciprocate by not running or flying away.

I shall take my camera with me this afternoon and, if they are still around, I will take a photograph for you. The galah by the way is not colourful as it is light grey with a delicate pink tinge.

*edit*

Unfortunately the galahs have move on, Ispom.

Like most parrots in this country the galah is a social animal. I've attached a couple of pictures (not mine).

Anyway, I'll shut up now as I'm drifting off the subject.