The Orange Breasted Sunbird is endemic to South Africa and occurs in the Fynbos regions of the Eastern and Western Cape. They feed on nectar, insects and spiders and build densely packed nests of small dry twigs, heather, soft vegetable fluff and spider webs. During the breeding season the males become highly territorial, chasing off not only competing males of their own species but all other sunbird species as well. When displaying to females or guarding a territory, the males sit high on exposed branches, heads up, feathers sleek against their bodies and tails slightly flared – daring intruders to challenge their obvious supremacy!

There are several different species of Pin Cushion Protea, all falling within the Leucospermum family. Their flowers range from bright yellow to orange to fire red and from July to November, the mountain slopes around Hermanus are splashed in colour as the Pin Cushions erupt into bloom. They have a really fascinating method of seed dispersal. The seeds they produce are covered in a sweet sugary coating, much loved by a specific species of ant. The ants collect the fallen seeds and take them back down into their nests where they lick the coating away. The now bare seed is as smooth and slippery as glass and the ants are unable to remove them from the nest. The seeds lie dormant and protected in the ant’s nests – sometimes for years – until a fire passes overhead. The heat from the fire activates the seeds and they begin to sprout, emerging above the ground in time to take advantage of the rich ash covered soil.

Signed Limited Edition Print on 300 GSM Fine Art Cotton Paper from an original watercolour painting. This print is delivered rolled into a tube, ready for framing. Free worldwide shipping.

Limited Edition of 25 Fine Art Prints.

Size: 420mm x 300mm