…in the Sunshine State. We have had an enormous amount of torrential downpours and storms. Trees uprooted, garden fences wrenched away and power supplies cut in many parts of the country. As I walk the city today the clouds gathered above, ready to unleash their grievances and grumbles.

The land sighs patiently and gulps a few times – the volume of water is overwhelming and immensely powerful, and as we are soaked through California burns. It is the way of the world, and the direction we are heading rather precipitously. The dark ominous grey softens to an almost golden glow as I come across this dartar on a branch in the river.

There is always an upside to bad weather and that is that most plants love it – well not the “very bad” so much as the “wet through” one. And so on my walks home from the radio I am constantly amazed at the profusion of colours and blooms. I shall start with the muted ones and make my way up to the outrageous ones. How about this for a work of nature’s splendour lying on the pavement? Perfect symmetry and colour.

The delicate blue flowers of a well adapted weed hanging off a wall of Brisbane tuff.

A garden plant that matches the tone of the palette it is up against.

The pendulous fruit of Colvillea racemosa aka Colville’s glory. The tree is particularly known for its bright orange flowers that grow in large cone or cylinder shaped clusters.

A moonlight grevillea – the bees love this one.

And to the shockers and screamers – blood red and fiery.

Of course I overgeneralize.

The roses want to emigrate.