Joan Henrietta Collins was born on May 23, 1933, in Paddington, London, England. She was the daughter of Elsa Collins, a dance teacher, and Joseph William Collins, a talent agent whose clients would later include Shirley Bassey, The Beatles, and Tom Jones.
Joan attended the Francis Holland School and later the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, showcasing her early passion for the performing arts.
Rise to Stardom
Collins made her film debut in the early 1950s with a series of British films, including “Lady Godiva Rides Again” (1951) and “The Woman’s Angle” (1952).
Her striking beauty and talent quickly caught the attention of Hollywood, and she soon found herself cast in major motion pictures. In 1955, she appeared in “The Virgin Queen” alongside Bette Davis, which solidified her status as a rising star.
Hollywood Success
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Collins starred in a variety of films, including “The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing” (1955), “Rally ‘Round the Flag, Boys!” (1958), and “The Road to Hong Kong” (1962).
Her versatility as an actress allowed her to take on diverse roles, from comedies to dramas, establishing her as a prominent figure in the film industry.
Television Fame: Dynasty
Joan Collins achieved international fame with her role as Alexis Carrington on the American television series “Dynasty” (1981-1989). Her portrayal of the cunning and glamorous ex-wife of Blake Carrington earned her a Golden Globe Award and cemented her status as a television icon.
Woman sees what she thought was a happy bird, then suddenly realises it’s something else
Embarking on a leisurely journey through the enchanting landscapes of Popran National Park in Australia, Kym Beechey found herself captivated by the allure of wildflowers, aiming to immortalize their beauty through her lens. Renowned for her unhurried hikes that allow her to fully absorb the marvels of nature, Beechey often faced the challenge of capturing the elusive movements of the area’s wildlife.
On a serendipitous day, fortune seemed to favor her when she spotted what initially appeared to be a young tawny frogmouth, bearing a striking resemblance to an owl, perched gracefully on a limb. A surge of excitement coursed through her veins, as avian subjects had proven to be notoriously swift for her camera.
Swiftly reaching for her phone, Beechey readied herself to capture the seemingly cheerful little bird. Zooming in for a closer look, a sense of anticipation enveloped her, only to be met with an unexpected twist. The smiling avian subject turned out to be none other than a banksia pod, a unique and charming pod that strikingly resembled a joyful bird.
As Beechey adjusted her camera to the revelation, it dawned on her that the seemingly animated “bird” was, in reality, a banksia pod, a distinctive and adorable pod that mimicked the appearance of a delighted bird. Banksia pods find their roots in banksia trees, primarily flourishing in southwestern Australia, with occasional sightings in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
Diverging from the resemblance to conventional pine cones, banksia pods are distinct fruit structures unrelated to pine trees. Originating from the Banksia genus trees, these pods, notably those from the Bull Banksia species, boast a substantial and sturdy build, making them suitable for an array of wood applications.
The Banksia grandis species, recognized for producing sizable seed pods, injects an artistic flair into various crafts and frequently graces online markets. Once the vibrant red or yellow banksia flowers shed their petals, the cone perseveres on the tree, eventually giving birth to seeds. Remarkably, a single tree can host both blossoms and mature cones concurrently.
The unique visage of banksia pods emerges from their tendency to burst open, liberating seeds in the process. Although Beechey’s initial impression of encountering an endearing baby bird was misplaced, she embraced the delightful surprise with laughter. Despite the amusing deception, the encounter contributed another charming snapshot to her ever-growing collection of exquisite wildflowers.
Given their idiosyncratic traits, banksia pods possess an uncanny ability to be mistaken for other entities, with each pod presenting a distinctive appearance within its own realm. Have you ever stumbled upon a plant that, at first glance, bore an uncanny resemblance to something entirely different, perhaps masquerading as a bird or another creature?
Leave a Reply