"Dried Seed Pods."
(Please click to view full image.)
These seed pods are from the Hibiscus Tiliaceus or Cotton Tree, commonly found in subtropical coastal areas of Australia. The flower begins its life as bright yellow in colour and has a deep red centre. It then deepens to an orange/red shade before dropping to the ground. I find the seed pods fascinating and love their colour and shape.
Whenever I am taking photos of Cotton Seed Pods I am always on the lookout for the colourful harlequin bugs. It doesn't usually take long before I spot them feeding from the seeds. The Cotton Harlequin Bugs are members of the Jewel Bug family and are characterized by their bright metallic colours. The males are mostly blue-red in colour and the females are generally orange. Here is a beautiful male jewel bug.
They are found in Eastern Australia and live in urban, agricultural and coastal areas and are about 2cm in size. Their food preference is any species belonging to the hibiscus plant family (Malvaceae) This includes the beautiful ornamental hibiscus species and cotton variety. They love feeding on young shoots, piercing the stems and sucking the sugar-rich juices intended for new growth. This is a female Jewell Bug.
This is my entry for Macro Photography contest hosted by @juliank
Take a moment to check out Julian's other challenges.
Monday: #foodphotography and #animalphotography
Tuesday: #landscapephotography and #cityscapephotography
Wednesday: #architecturalphotography and #vehiclephotography
Thursday: #macrophotography and #colourfulphotography
Friday: #streetphotography and #portraitphotography
Saturday: #sportsphotography and #smartphonephotography
Sunday: #goldenhourphotography and #longexposurephotography
THANK YOU FOR VIEWING. HAVE A GREAT DAY.
