The Royal Botanic Gardens has always been my sanctuary when I need a break from debugging code or escaping the concrete jungle of the CBD. Yesterday, during my lunch break, social media was buzzing about a spectacular Silk Floss Tree in full bloom, and naturally, I had to investigate.

Finding this botanical beauty turned out to be quite the adventure. Located near the rose garden and cycad collection, the Silk Floss Tree (Ceiba speciosa) stands as a testament to nature’s extraordinary color palette. Its pink flowers create a mesmerizing canopy that seems almost otherworldly against Melbourne’s typically grey February skies.

Walking through our local parks these days, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of city life, forgetting about the remarkable creatures that share our urban spaces. Recently, a stunning photograph of an echidna caught my attention online, and it sparked some thoughts about these fascinating monotremes that have called this continent home for millions of years.

The photo captured something rarely seen - the soulful eyes of an echidna peering directly into the camera. There’s something deeply moving about seeing these typically shy creatures up close. Most of us are used to glimpsing only their spiky backs as they waddle away or curl into a defensive ball when startled.