A King Protea, A Pulse, A Thank You

A Personal Gesture of Gratitude from the Adderley Flower Sellers

King Protea : Received From the Adderley Flower Sellers, The Paddocks

This morning I received a King Protea at home, hand-delivered, from the Adderley Flower Sellers, The Paddocks, Milnerton - a quiet gesture that spoke volumes.

A short message, no fanfare. Just presence.

To all the hands that offered it: thank you – I am sincerely moved by your gratitude. A reflection. A reminder that presence is the greatest gift we can give each other. 

A reflection: a reminder that presence is the greatest gift we can give each other.

- Vernon Chalmers

Philosophical Meaning:

"A King Protea, A Pulse, A Thank You" are linked as elements in a personal, heartfelt gesture of gratitude and deep respect, often associated with acknowledging strength, resilience, and personal transformation.

The components can be understood as follows:

• A King Protea: This flower is a powerful symbol of strength, courage, resilience, and transformation, known for its ability to thrive in harsh conditions and regenerate after fire. Gifting it signifies a deep admiration for someone who has overcome challenges or embarked on a significant life journey.

• A Pulse: This element refers to a personal, quiet, and meaningful gesture or expression that "spoke volumes" without fanfare, highlighting the value of genuine presence and acknowledgment. It represents the sincere, vital core of the message being conveyed.

• A Thank You: This explicitly states the purpose of the gesture—to express sincere appreciation and gratitude for someone's presence, journey, or character.

Together, they describe a profound act of thanking someone by recognizing their inner strength, adaptability, and enduring spirit. The phrase comes from a personal reflection by Vernon Chalmers, who received a hand-delivered King Protea as a "quiet gesture that spoke volumes" to express gratitude." (Source: Google AI 2025)

Adderley Flowers, The Paddocks Milnerton

Fresh Flowers For Sale - The Paddocks, Milnerton

Image Location: Arnhem, Milnerton

Canon Camera / Lens for Bird Photography

• Canon EOS 6D Mark II (Full Frame)
• Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Lens
• Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT
• SanDisk Extreme PRO 64GB 200 MB/s
  
  

Exposure / Focus Settings for Bird Photography

• Autofocus On
• Av-Mode
• Aperture f/4
• ISO 400
• No Image Stabilisation
• Handheld

Image Post-Processing: Lightroom Classic (Ver 14.5)

• Minor Adjustments (Crop / Exposure / Contrast)
• Noise and Spot Removal
• RAW to JPEG Conversion
  
  

King Protea Image Copyright: Vernon Chalmers Photography