There’s much to be said about the mental tranquility that comes from being in nature — from leisurely strolls along bucolic lanes, Sunday walks across lush, green fields, to long treks through dense forests. For many people, escaping the city and enjoying what Mother Nature offers is a weekly habit to stay grounded. An added bonus? You never know what you’ll come across.

A surprising encounter on the trail

One day, while out walking, Kym thought she’d spotted a newborn tawny frogmouth, an owl-like bird. It seemed to have a smile on its face. She quietly pulled out her phone, zoomed in, and snapped what she hoped would be the perfect shot.

As soon as she reviewed the photo, Kym realised her mistake. It wasn’t a bird at all — it was a banksia pod. These unusual-looking pods grow on banksia trees and can be surprisingly expressive in appearance. Banksia trees grow mainly in south-western Australia but can also be found in Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.

While often compared to pine cones, they are not conifers. Their distinctive pods burst open, often during the heat of forest fires, releasing seeds into the wild.

After laughing at her “baby bird” mix-up, Kym added the unusual image to her collection of nature shots. For those unfamiliar with banksia pods, the story is a reminder of just how many surprises the natural world still holds.