Serendipity...

Life sure is full of unexpected twists and turns,

Sometimes you wonder why things happen

At the time it all seems pointless

But when things eventually fall into place

Then it all begins to make sense

© Denise Etienne

“Sexy Pink”

Heliconia Chartacea or Sexy Pink

This one of my favorite species of Heliconias, it is locally know as Sexy Pink, I think you can see why ;) The bright pink parts are modified leaves known as bracts, on the underside are found the flowers which are green in color and well hidden. Their pollinators are a group of Hummingbirds called Hermits, they have long and curved beaks which are well adapted for probing into the curved flowers.  Heliconias are related to Bananas. 

"Dolphins"

"Dolphins"

I have always loved using my hands, be it for gardening, painting or just simply admiring my rings : )

So, over the last few years I've been carving these "Dolphins", which comes from the seed capsule of the Sandbox tree (Hura crepitans). The capsules looks like tangerines, as it ripens it bursts open with an explosive sound and the seeds are scattered. You can find lots of them on the forest floor, I use my army knife to carefully cut out the excess matter in the middle, and then I put a hole at the top, which will be the eye. Next I use some sandpaper to get a smooth finish, finally I dip it in some varnish.