Proteas for Pleasure

I have found great inspiration and reference from a book called "Proteas for Pleasure", it was published in 1965 and was written by Sima Eliovson.

It is beautifully illustrated with both colour & black and white photos that are very striking.
There is a poem in the front of the book entitled..."The lure of the Protea"
It describes it's ruby glow and silky beard and the sugarbirds who dip into the gleaming cup!

This watercolour painting was drawn referencing one of the black and white photographs so I have taken artistic lisence with the colours so apologies to any bird fundis if the sunbird is not entirely exact!