Part II: How I got waylaid

I had plans and then...my path was crossed by this.

Stopped in my tracks? You betcha.

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I had considered doing a flash fiction of the monkey-puzzle tree for Part II of my offerings to the Festival of the Trees. I've written most of a story and thought I might let you guys write the final graph.

But when nature bedecks your path with buckets of red and lavender blossoms you gotta go with the flow, be in the moment. Right?

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So here is what I offer. The surprise and wonder of trees. I was in a botanic garden's Australian section. I recognized the jacaranda tree but not the other, which took my breath away.

I searched through the leaves and fallen flowers at the base of the tree but no handy identifying sign was there. I've decided this must be a flame tree. What better name could there be?

Whether you are looking up... or down.

Happy tree fest, everyone.

You can see Part I, which has haiku and flash fic or the monkey-puzzle tree, if you please.

And, oh! The huge dry leaf in Part I turns out to be from the Chinese parasol tree. Is that a cool name or what?