Christmas Tree Masks

Out walking the dogs today I came across a Pohutukawa tree resplendent in red bottle brush like flowers. Because it blooms at Christmas time in New Zealand, it is also known as the Christmas Tree.

When I loaded this shot onto my computer I was amazed to see all the little 'masks' which are the base of the red 'bristles' of the flowers. Usually the red brushes are what you see, but in the photograph the 'masks' stand out, as do the thousands of 'stars' at the ends of the bristles.

Quite lovely methinks.