There’s something uniquely calming about immersing yourself in nature — peaceful walks down country paths, quiet treks through emerald forests, and the thrill of never knowing what you might stumble upon.
Australian nature lover and hobby photographer Kym Beechey knows that feeling well. She often spends her free time wandering outdoors with her camera in hand, hoping to capture fascinating wildlife, though she admits many birds, insects, and animals can be shy.
On one such outing, Kym was convinced she had spotted a tiny baby tawny frogmouth — an owl-like bird native to Australia. The little creature appeared to be perched happily on a branch wearing what looked like a cheeky smile. Excited by her lucky find, Kym carefully raised her phone, zoomed in, and snapped a quick photo.
But the moment she looked at the image, she burst out laughing.
Her “smiling baby bird” wasn’t a bird at all — it was actually a banksia pod, a quirky seed cone from the native banksia tree. These pods are known for their unusual shapes and features, often earning comparisons to pine cones, although banksias are not conifers.
The pods are formed after the seed capsules burst open — a process that often happens during the intense heat of bushfires — creating the iconic, sometimes amusing appearance that fooled Kym.
While banksia trees are most commonly found in south-western Australia, they also grow in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
Kym now proudly includes the funny photo in her collection, calling it one of her more “unusual finds” — even if it wasn’t quite what she thought at first glance!
Had you ever heard of banksia trees before?
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