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.

The digital photography landscape has long been dominated by tech giants who’ve turned our precious memories into commodities. Standing at my desk this morning, scrolling through my photo library, I found myself marveling at how far we’ve come in reclaiming control of our personal data.

The open-source photo management solution Immich has been making waves in the self-hosting community, and their 2024 recap showcases exactly why. From humble beginnings on Reddit to securing funding that allows full-time development, it’s a success story that resonates deeply with those of us who value digital sovereignty.

The morning light was just breaking through my kitchen window when something caught my eye in the garden. At first glance, it looked like a moving pine cone, but there it was - a magnificent echidna, casually wandering through my yard as if it owned the place.

These encounters with native wildlife in urban areas seem to be becoming more frequent lately. Just last week, while walking through Warrandyte State Park, I spotted another echidna foraging near the trail. It’s fascinating how these prehistoric-looking creatures are adapting to life in our expanding urban landscape.