This is a wildlife blog and here are a few photos that were not taken on a trip. For example the Pallid Swift below was one of many that were flying in and out of palm trees on the Balcon de Europa in the centre of Nerja. I took the camera down one morning to get a few shots of the action and I like this one it because in this swoop it gives the bird a different look from the classic scythe-like swift profile we are all familiar with.
Pallid Swift - apus pallidus
This Peregrine Falcon is a nice record shot as it was taken from our own terrace, it spent a while wheeling around over the house looking for prey in the surrounding countryside.
Peregrine Falcon - falco peregrinus
House Martin with a cluster of Red & Black Bugs for the young All nine of our House Martin nests have been fully occupied this season and the second brood is almost fledged already. It has been fun to observe some of the various insect food that is brought in to feed the young. The Red & Black Bug has been common this year and this shot shows an adult bird arriving with quite a cluster of them in its beak.
It's not certain how much they are appreciated by the fledgelings however as the Bugs often escape by just walking back out of the nest. The one below for example got away, albeit well camouflaged with feathers from inside, smart bug ha ha.
It's not certain how much they are appreciated by the fledgelings however as the Bugs often escape by just walking back out of the nest. The one below for example got away, albeit well camouflaged with feathers from inside, smart bug ha ha.
Red & Black Bug, escaping from the house martins nest.
A recent visit to the Charca de Suarez revealed the appearance of three new hides as work on developing the Reserve progresses apace. The best new addition looks out across the large new wader pond which had become quite overgrown recently. The new hide however has an open view up the full length of this long expanse of water and we enjoyed watching a variety of species including Red Avadavat, Reed Warbler, Water Rail, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, B W Stilt, Little Egret and Yellow Wagtail amongst others. All of these sightings were too far away for any decent photography however, unlike the Long Skimmer Dragonfly that rested on leaves quite close in front of the hide
Long Skimmer - orthetrum trinacria
Stripeless Tree Frog - Hyla meridionalis The only other photo worth posting is of another little Stripeless Green Tree Frog - hyla meridionalis, always nice to see and this year quite prolific.
On the animal thread we have seen some nice lizards recently, the pick of the bunch being this young Ocelated or Eyed Lizard in Sierra Nevada, displaying some nice colour and some super spots. King of the Mountains for sure.
On the animal thread we have seen some nice lizards recently, the pick of the bunch being this young Ocelated or Eyed Lizard in Sierra Nevada, displaying some nice colour and some super spots. King of the Mountains for sure.
Eyed Lizard (Juvenile) - lacerta lepida
Here are a few more butterflies from Sierra Nevada. The one below could be a Southern Brown Argus, but the very small black lhw spots suggest it is more likely to be Mountain Argus but I am just not expert enough to really be sure.
Mountain Argus? - aricia artaxerces
The insect below is much more like the classic description of a Brown Argus with very distinct, large black spots on the lhw, which leads me to believe the one above must be axerxes, not agestis.
Brown Argus - aricia agestis
The Scarce Swallowtail below was taken using fill-in flash as the light was not good in a shady grove. I don't usually like the black background created by over-use of flash, but in this case I think the effect is ok.
Scarce Swallowtail - iphiclides podalirius
The humble House Sparrow below is included because the little lady only has one foot. It did not prevent her from seeking scraps around the tables at a restaurant where she was able to use the stump to steady herself.
Disabled House Sparrow - passer domesticus
Small Skipper - thymelicus sylvestris I photograph Small Skippers in the hope that they might turn out to be something different. Similar species include Lulworth, Essex and Large Skippers. Close examination of the photos however reveal that sadly this is just a common Small Skipper, but a decent shot anyway.
The dragonfly below is a female Epaulet Skimmer (I think). It's a common species around here except that this shot was taken above 2000 m up in the Sierra Nevada, and not close to any water. Quite remarkable I would say.
The dragonfly below is a female Epaulet Skimmer (I think). It's a common species around here except that this shot was taken above 2000 m up in the Sierra Nevada, and not close to any water. Quite remarkable I would say.
Epaulet Skimmer - orthetrum chrysostigma
