wattle

The flowering of the wattle is associated with the advent of spring but with winter still 'officially' not here yet there are still a few months for the season change to happen. However with 950 + species in Aus there is probaby a wattle flowering somewhere at most times of the year.

The wattle is the National Floral Emblem of Australia , the colours are those worn by the national sporting teams and it even has its very own day on September 1st, Wattle Day.

Tomorrow is ANZAC Day, the national day of rememberance and marks the anniversary of the first military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during World War 1. It commemorates the landing on Gallipoli on April 25th, 1915.
During WW1 posies of wattle were sold as a means of fund raising money for organisations such as the Red Cross and sprigs of wattle were included in letters sent to soldiers serving overseas as a symbol of home.

Regardless of the season or the reason, it is just lovely to walk through the bush and see these little bubbles of sunshine glowing amongst the grey, green and dark ochres of the bush.