Walking Group near the Cortijo de Rafaelita
Out in the hills with Joan´s Wednesday walking group again. This time we took a different route from Canilas de Albaida, and it was one of the nicest routes I have walked in the Axarquia. It involved frequent crossings of the Rio Cajula up to the Cortijo de la Parilla then heading East above the Arroyo de Ciquilias before descending into the Arroyo del Conejo and back up to Canilas.
The sheltered sections of the river valleys were full of wild flowers and the superb sunny weather had brought out lots of butterflies.
The sheltered sections of the river valleys were full of wild flowers and the superb sunny weather had brought out lots of butterflies.
Spanish Festoon - zerinthia rumina
I was delighted and surprised to see so many Spanish Festoons, aptly named with their intricately patterned black and yellow wings with red spots and tiny bright blue speckles along the trailing edges. It seems very early in the season for this species.
Bob leading the way on a river crossing
As we progressed along the river valley more and more butterflies were sighted. The brightest and most obvious were the superb Cleopatras, their large bright yellow and orange wings are unmistakeable. Unfortunately none ever settled for its picture to be taken which is a shame. I am going to work on capturing this species in flight because even when they do take a rest their wings are always closed.
Similar to the Cleopatra but smaller and lacking the orange wing patches, the Brimstone was also flying today. In fact this is the perfect habitat for this species which loves open, sunny slopes, either grassy or rocky, and the presence of water is perfect.
Similar to the Cleopatra but smaller and lacking the orange wing patches, the Brimstone was also flying today. In fact this is the perfect habitat for this species which loves open, sunny slopes, either grassy or rocky, and the presence of water is perfect.
Brimstone - gonepteryx rhamni
Another yellow species, the Clouded Yellow is smaller and not so bright as the other two, but still a nice insect and fortunately quite common in this part of Spain.
There are so many species of "Blues" which can be difficult to distinguish. There are not so many varieties in this part of Spain however and so I believe this one to be an ordinary Common Blue. A beautiful colour nonetheless and always nice to see.
Martin also was a study in blue and he made a good picture sitting in the doorway of an abandoned cortigo enjoying a ciggie.
Martin also was a study in blue and he made a good picture sitting in the doorway of an abandoned cortigo enjoying a ciggie.
Martin having a fag
Small Copper butterflies were out in numbers and although small in size they provide a fiery glow of coppery orange in the bright sunshine. I believe they fly all year round in these sheltered valleys as I have recorded them in November and now again in February.
The Iberian Marbled White does not look so interesting at first glance, but closer scrutiny reveals a lovely geometric design in black, white and grey which is not gaudy but is almost an abstract artistic masterpiece.
A thoroughly enjoyable walk on which I picked up at least twelve species of butterfly including:-
Spanish Festoon, Spanish Gatekeeper, Small White, Iberian Marbled White, Common Blue, Swallowtail, Cleopatra, Brimstone, Clouded Yellow, Small Copper, Painted lady and Red Admiral.
A thoroughly enjoyable walk on which I picked up at least twelve species of butterfly including:-
Spanish Festoon, Spanish Gatekeeper, Small White, Iberian Marbled White, Common Blue, Swallowtail, Cleopatra, Brimstone, Clouded Yellow, Small Copper, Painted lady and Red Admiral.
