(c) Martin Heigan, reproduced with permission.
In place of a cheering-up bird this week, I have this stunning image, taken by Martin Heigan, of the flower of the succulent plant Stapelia flavopurpurea. There are around 40 plant species in the genus Stapelia -the so called "carrion flowers". This species is notable for having a sweet, pleasant smell, unlike its relatives, which typically smell of rotting flesh- hence their name. This picture was taken in South Africa, but this plant also grows in Namibia.
Mr Heigan has whole set of photos of carrion flowers and their relatives on flickr, which is well worthy of a detour- you can find them here- http://www.flickr.com/photos/martin_heigan/sets/72157594229096037/
His picture of the oddly geometric flowers of "the wax plant",Hoya carnosa " is particularly impressive- http://www.flickr.com/photos/martin_heigan/154069086/in/set-72157594229096037/
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