Cairns Botanic Gardens - Part 1

I forgot what it feels like, going out fresh as a Daisy and ending up a sweaty Sweet Pea. 

Being in the tropics in Northern Queensland is hot, humid and enriching. Visiting the Botanical Gardens in Cairns was an unexpected delight. What we saw was nothing short of exceptional as the photos will show. The gardens were founded in 1886 and work continued through to the 1960s driven by some dedicated citizens. Parts of the gardens have been named after them. It is home to some 4000 species of flora with an emphasis on tropical plants. We walked through the Flecker Gardens and the Watkins Munro- Martin Conservatory. 

Pitcher plant with a butterfly perching. 

This fabulous example from the Aroid Family. 

The Tassel Ferns 

Medinilla Tayabansis 

The Panama Flame Tree 

An exquisite orchid - there were so many.

A common garden plant but loved the way the red berries decorated the leaves. 

The Sandbox tree from the West Indies 

Helliconia longiflora 

Apart from the stunning plants we saw and admired a pair of Papuan Frogmouths. One was sunning itself on the ground and as we approached in disbelief, it flew up into a tree. We realised two were there. Bigger then the ones in Brisbane, they have bright and intense red eyes. 

More soon - till then stay cool and dry.