Thursday 26 July 2012

Inspiration and poop??

I've been busying away with some sketching but I'll post my efforts over the weekend.

Today, it's all about inspiration and poop....well probably not the latter for real, 
but more something that makes me think of the latter.

The other day, Aaron wanted to test ride his new bicycle so we went for a walk 
to the local shops.  Well, I walked.....he rode.

On the way, I snapped some pics for inspiration.

Australian Wattle!

There was this one with it's little fluffy yellow balls.


And then there was this one which was more in the shape of yellow spikes.



And then there was this......
......which, to be frank, kinda made me think of some sort of animal poop dangling precariously in a tree
waiting to drop at any moment on passers-by.


There were all varying shapes and sizes and they appeared to be attached to the wattle tree
with the long yellow spikes.




Common sense tells me that they are some type of seed pod??
But in varying shapes and sizes??
Some look mud-like yet they don't appear to be insect nests.

Which begs the question....

what the heck ARE these??

You'd think I would know the answer being that I've lived in Australia practically all my life.
Perhaps some of my fellow Aussie bloggers may know the answer to
my burning question???

Added Update - PUZZLE IS SOLVED

After researching the puzzle for a couple of days with no success,
I gave it one more try this afternoon after publishing this post and
FOUND THE ANSWER!!

Okay,
these lumps that look like poop ARE

Rust Fungus Galls!!

You can read all about them HERE.

Essentially, they are fungus galls that kill part of the wattle trees.
Numerous insect varieties have been known to lay their larvae inside the fungus.

So much for my 'common sense' theory...hehehe

SO, there you have it!
I can sleep peacefully tonight. :)

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More inspiring photos to come......


~ Love, light and peace ~

31 comments:

  1. Ha-ha! Yuck! It does look like poop. I just looked up wattle and learned that it is also known as acacia, so learned something new. But the seed pods do not look like that. It's gotta be some sort of mud nest ... go back and throw something at one to see if anything comes flying out. Ha! Just kidding. Maybe the tree has a disease. Interesting. I hope someone has the answer because I couldn't find anything online that looks like that. Wasps nests are more elongated, like a tunnel. I don't see how anything could get in and out of those strange looking blobs. Take care! Tammy

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    1. Tammy, yes, that's right...wattles are members of the Acacia family. I found the answer and will update my post! YAY!

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    2. Btw, I did consider breaking one open but was a little wary of what may have been hiding inside.

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  2. They are pretty trees, but that stuff does look like poo! Maybe a disease?? Interesting to find out.

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    1. They are....and yep, poop was what immediately popped into my mind. I found the answer and will adjust my post accordingly! YAY!

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  3. No matter what its real name is from now on this will be forever known as the Poop tree... how magnificent is that... can't wait to find out what it is... kind of reminded me of misshapen burdekin plums for a minute, excited to find out the answer...xx

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    1. At the link I provided, someone eloquently referred to them as 'dog shit in a tree'. LOL xo

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  4. Hmmmmm....Golden Wattle Poo....Love it! LOL

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  5. So, I wasn't far off -- it is a disease ... that only occurs in Australian acacia. No wonder there weren't so many gorgeous yellow blooms on that poor tree. I went to the link ... someone was brave enough to burst one open. Yuck! Best wishes, Tammy

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    1. Yes you were close although it's more a parasite than a disease. Yes, that particular tree had hardly any blooms at all, poor thing. Apparently, some species of wattles (acacias) are seen as pests in some areas. Funny, as they are the Australian Floral emblem. OH yes, I saw that pic too. :)

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  6. A friend of mine identified some gall I had come across about a year or so ago...I had never realized about this!!! I thought they looked similar, but yours are much larger and lumpier than the ones I had found. Here are the ones I found actually in Nov. of 2010! Mine were furry, but I think I had also found some after than that looked more like yours!

    Hey...that wattle tree with its yellow blooms is gorgeosa!!! I am thinking of allergies though, when I see these beautiful trees...why do we have to be allergic???

    Hope Aaron likes his new bike!

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    1. Hi Julie,

      Yep, the rust fungal gall is quite different to the one in your picture. I feel sorry for people who suffer hayfever allergies....they surely must dread spring.

      Aaron LOVES his new bike! :)

      Happy Friday to you ~ xo

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  7. I have to say the title of this post was very intriguing!! I'm glad you solved the mystery. The yellow blooms are beautiful...so sad that the rust gall kills the host trees.

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    1. I'm glad the mystery was solved too ~ :) I agree, after solving the mystery, my first thought was for the poor tree trying to survive such a nasty predator.

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  8. what an odd looking plant with the fungus on it, very sci fi like

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    1. Sadly, the plant doesn't look it's best because the fungus is slowly killing it....poor thing should be lush and in full bloom. I was totally intrigued by the poop-like appendages!

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  9. oh Serena, that poop tree was AWESOME!!! :-) Totally surprising... and you're right!! That's exactly what it looked like. Beautiful photos... I was glad to read that the mystery had been solved, although i'm sad for the tree. :-(
    Those yellow flowers are so pretty... and those pears (in your past post) are fantastic. You have such a way with color, my dear.
    Happy weekend! i hope you're feeling well these days... xox

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    1. Yes, I'm sad for the tree too. :( Thanks for dropping by....glad you liked the pears and flowers.

      A very happy weekend to you too ~ xo

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  10. I know those first yellow flowers as acacia and love them as a florist because they are so beautiful in arrangements. And those are certainly some funky seed pods/fungus thingees! Eewwww. Thanks for the nice comments about my son and b'day - glad it's behind me and I can get back to the art room!

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    1. Hi Terrie,

      Yes...wattle trees are members of the acacia family. They would look gorgeous in flower arrangements. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your art.

      Have a great weekend!

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  11. Those 'mud' balls sure gave you some restless nights hey Serena! lol
    Glad you could solve the mystery and tell us too :)
    Beautiful pics!

    Looking forward to see your sketches.

    Have a great weekend!
    Monica :)

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    1. LOL....I'm glad the mystery was solved too, Monica ~ :)

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  12. Gorgeous wattles, ickky galls!

    Our previous neighbours had a huge Cootamundra wattle whichoverhung our driveway. Our car used to be cloaked in soft yellow blossom every spring. It was lovely, just don't turn on the A/C in the car as it would spew out the air vents all over you. Sneeze fest!

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    1. I remember when wattle trees were more prolific here and people used to have them in their yards until they were considered a weedy pest...the pollen dust was very fine so I can totally understand the sneeze-fest. lol

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  13. I think that I still agree with your common sense theory. Hehe!

    That was certainly a mystery to me, I would have no idea what that was.

    Have a great day!
    Michael Lounsbury

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    1. LOL....I was obviously on the wrong track though.

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  14. Yuuuck! lol
    I have never seen those before... That is so weird.
    I love the flowers, they are so bright and colourful!

    Thanks for sharing your adventurous story... You crack me up, girl!

    Ciao Bella
    Sensible Sarah

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    1. LOL....glad you enjoyed the post, Sarah ~ :)

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  15. Well, at least it wasn't poop, LOL!

    Firstly, seed pods aren't always uniform in size. Secondly, nobody expects you to know all your native plants, animals, etc. :)

    Glad you solved the mystery!

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    1. LOL.....yes, but these so-called pods were vastly different in size so I knew there was more to them than met the eye. Awwwwww....thanks for cutting me some slack, Tori. xo

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  16. hey, enjoyed the photos but even more finding out what that poop was all about, ha.

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