Banksias

As usual many species of Banksia are flowering at this time of year.
But it seems like the flower spikes are more numerous and bigger this year.
The picture below is from 'our' beach.
It is a fine example of Banksia ericifolia or spinulosa or maybe a hybrid of the two known as 'Giant Candles'.

The old seed cones bring back memories of the Bad Banksia Men in Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, a series of children's books written by Australian author May Gibbs around 1918 which used to give us nightmares as kids.