My Shadow Shot this week is a close up of a wattle bush in full bloom. Golden Wattle was for many years Australia's unofficial floral emblem. It was not until 1988, our Bicentenary year, that it was gazetted as such. In 1992 the 1st of September was declared National Wattle Day.
A full bush can be anywhere up to 8 metres high and in bloom it is quite a sight to behold! This bush above was quite large, however, I went back the following week after I took this shot and it was gone! I was so shocked! I couldn't imagine why the gardens had decided to uproot an in bloom mature wattle bush. It was a bit upsetting to say the least.
Did you know that Shadow Shot Sunday is a fabulous meme set up by top Aussie photographer Tracy of Hey Harriet? You can see more top shadow shots from around the world here. If you'd like to join in, here are the easy to follow instructions on how to do so.
Happy Sunday everyone! I hope everyone is having a terrific weekend!
Beautiful shot!
Hanover Park shadows.
Posted by: chubskulit | September 12, 2010 at 06:56 AM
Such a beautiful photo, the whole tree must look glorious - or I should say, this tree would have looked glorious. Why would anyone want to cut down a tree like this??
Posted by: Marilyn | September 12, 2010 at 07:05 AM
What a beautiful tree! Do you get a day off when it has its day?
It is a real shame it was cut down.
Posted by: Sarah | September 12, 2010 at 07:43 AM
I love this shot, I wish that I was able to see it in person.
Posted by: Brandi | September 12, 2010 at 08:29 AM
Happy Belated Wattle Day dear Sam! Beautiful Shadow Shot! I love the flowers and the share on it's history. Wonder where they took it? Don't blame you at all for being upset. ♡
Posted by: Gabbi | September 12, 2010 at 09:53 AM
This is an autumnal color, the sort of things we plant in the Autumn in our clime - like on mums, say. Yet at 9 feet, thai is much more grand than any mum I've seen. This is bold and beautiful, just the flowering shrub that any nation would be happy to embrace. It is a beauty! Enjoy your week in a warming up Oz...
Posted by: Ralph | September 12, 2010 at 10:03 AM
Sam, this is just beautiful! Why on earth would anyone remove such a lovley bush? It saddens me. Every so often my husband and I will drive around the city to see the houses we bought and fixed up, and the new owners always manage to destroy the gardens in a short matter of time. I know I shouldn't be so attached to homes that are no longer mine (especially since 4 of them were purchased for investments), but I put my heart into designing, planting, and nurturing every garden bed. Some people have no taste, and even sadder they have no respect for beautiful living things. Ours is a disposable society, ugh.
Posted by: Marsi | September 12, 2010 at 01:32 PM
Golden Wattle looks glorious in your picture; so textured and filled with sunshine.
Posted by: Mary-Laure | September 12, 2010 at 01:49 PM
I adore Golden Wattle! Those big yellow blobs of fluffiness are quite something! Even though it makes me sneeze like mad I still love it! Odd that it was cut down.
Hope you've have a super weekend Sam!
Re the glow worms - I've seen glow worms at a cave in Mt Tambourine (not far from the Gold Coast) & they were spooky litle critters!
Posted by: Tracy | September 12, 2010 at 05:34 PM
what a beautiful bush!! what a shame that they took it away!! hopefully they found a good home for it!!
Posted by: robin | September 13, 2010 at 02:12 AM
This is beautiful! I've never even heard of Wattle, but I like it. :) I think that yellow caterpillar thing I found last week would feel right at home on a bush like this!
Posted by: Rebecca | September 15, 2010 at 06:14 AM