With screens dominating our daily lives, stepping into nature for a stroll is essential. Even a brief walk in a forest can refresh us, offering moments of serenity and occasional extraordinary encounters—like spotting wildlife or witnessing a stunning sunset.

For Kym Beechey, an Australian nature lover and photographer, one such walk brought an unexpected twist. While exploring the wilderness, she thought she spotted a baby tawny frogmouth, a bird resembling an owl. Hoping to capture its charm, she carefully approached with her phone.

Zooming in for a closer shot, Kym realized her mistake—it wasn’t a bird but a banksia pod. These unique pods, found on banksia trees in Australia and parts of the Pacific, have a striking, pinecone-like appearance. They release seeds when cracked open, often during forest fires.