The baby waratah was small, but not delicate. He wanted to hold it inside his cupped hands to feel its solid structure, weight and cool surface. It looked healthy and full of energy with the sunlight reflecting off the bulbed heads of the curved flowers. Each flower reached towards the centre of the bloom, hiding a dark and sweet-looking nectar inside.

He wondered if it would remain pink or develop the deep red colour seen in the other waratahs nearby. What determined how large it would grow? Was it the quality of the soil and the amount of rain? If it received too much water, could it grow too fast and become plump?

Oil on canvas. 40cm x 30cm.