By hook or by crook

This is the flower spike of the Coastal Grass Tree,  Xanthorrhoea latifolia. This flower spike is at the early stage of development. When mature it will contain thousands of tiny cream flowers, rich in nectar which is immensely attractive to birds and insects. This one is growing in heathland nearby. 

The first extra is a photo of this same specimen, showing the entire plant. 

The second extra is a Red Wattle Bird feeding on a mature Grass Tree flower spike in the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra.