Stretches of Western Australia's outback are bursting into life, as ideal weather conditions make for one of the most spectacular wildflower seasons in decades.
The sun-drenched landscape in the state's Mid West is awash with colour, attracting thousands of tourists and grey nomads keen to admire one of the world's most diverse collections of wildflowers.
Geraldton-based biologist Wendy Payne said consistent rainfall had brought the region back to life.
"There's an amazing burst of life for the Mid West," Mrs Payne said.
"Insects, birds, mammals, people, wildflowers; it's all happening."
Geraldton, 400 kilometres north of Perth, has already received above average annual rainfall.
"We've had this amazing water falling from the sky this year, we'd almost forgotten what it was like," she said.
"I don't think we've managed to get an average rainfall in the last 15 years, so the plants are just rejoicing in all the rain."
Blooms attract visitors
Many tourism centres in the region are reporting that the numbers of visitors are far above average.
Glenda Blythe has been working at the Geraldton Visitor Centre for eight years and said it was one of the best wildflower seasons she had seen.
"People are just absolutely blown away by what they're seeing, they just can't believe it," she said.
Rebecca Bussenschutt and her two daughters do not have far to go to enjoy the colour, it has erupted just metres from their farm's back door near Three Springs.
Mrs Bussenschutt said she has counted at least 25 different varieties in a patch of scrubland near her home.
"To be able to see completely different arrangement of flowers so close to home, we've taken a real opportunity to be able to go out and have a look and take as many photos as we can," she said.
"Because I can't say we'll ever see them like this again."
One of the most sought-after wildflowers is the distinct wreath flower, which is blooming in almost record numbers near Pindar.
It has been claimed some enthusiasts are travelling from as far away as Japan to track it down.
Pauline Beevis, from the Perth suburb of Warnbro, said she had been waiting for a long time to find the wreath flower.
"I've never seen a wreath flower before, it's been 10 years in the making, to see a wreath flower," she said.
The Mid West is internationally recognised as a biodiversity hot-spot.
"We've got biodiversity and we've got mass colour," Mrs Payne said.
"By crikey they're really putting on a good show."
WA has more than 10,000 native species of wildflowers and enthusiasts are being warned not to pick them.
"You could actually be removing the last flower on the planet," Mrs Payne said.
"There's a lot of rare stuff in the Mid West, it's very, very unusual."
"Our stuff is unparalleled and you can't find it anywhere else."