Kiersten Rowland

Adventures, wildlife, and life in the Alpujarras

Notes – 2024

Page 2 of 2 · 95 notes

Someone was very proud of her find on the dog walk this morning 😅 For those wondering, no she didn't get to keep it!

Front half of a white dog with a bone in her mouth. Just to the side of the white dogs head further down the hill is the head of a black and white husky. Front half of a white dog with a bone in her mouth. Just to the side of the white dogs head further down the hill is the head of a black and white husky.

Around here Golden Oriole are shy birds making them really difficult to photograph well. Another season has passed without a good opportunity. The closest I had was with this family group just before they left for Africa. They were still out of range of the camera and were messing around before the sun came up so light was poor. Anyway regardless of that, how many can you spot in this picture?

A family of Golden Oriole birds in an almond tree. One adult flying at the bottom of the picture. A family of Golden Oriole birds in an almond tree. One adult flying at the bottom of the picture.

View from this mornings dog walk, we went to the ermita again. I love how the dogs place themselves for a photo when we visit. There was much excitement in the early hours of the morning, we had a band of storms roll through. We were woken not long after 1am and enjoyed hours of thunder rolling around the hills and a spectacular light show. Sadly not much rain fell. It was wonderful to experience 'weather' again after a seemingly never ending summer.

Two dogs stood, one black and white, the other white, on a wall either side of a wooden cross. The view behind is a Spanish rural village on a hillside with hills behind. Clouds in the sky. Two dogs stood, one black and white, the other white, on a wall either side of a wooden cross. The view behind is a Spanish rural village on a hillside with hills behind. Clouds in the sky.

The summer is always a race against the sun 🌞 We visited the little Tajos de la Cruz ermita this morning on the dog walk, always a nice view point and made it back home before the sun came up for the day. I think we are all ready for summer to be done now.

Two dogs sat either side of a wooden cross. A black and white husky is sat on a wall to the right of the cross, a white dog stood to the left of the cross looking over her shoulder. The view behind is of a Spanish village with various hills and some mist in the valley. Two dogs sat either side of a wooden cross. A black and white husky is sat on a wall to the right of the cross, a white dog stood to the left of the cross looking over her shoulder. The view behind is of a Spanish village with various hills and some mist in the valley.

The endemic Parnassius apollo subsp nevadensis butterfly is now on the wing in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Such a graceful big butterfly and one that is suffering effects of the warming mountains, they need the cooler temperature and are moving higher up in search of that! It lives above 1800m. We encountered this one yesterday at 2400m which was having a good feast on the wild Thyme.

A large white butterfly with black circles with orange around the edge of the circles feeding on small pink Thyme flowers. The butterfly has it's wings closed and is looking directly at the camera with it's proboscis inserted into a flower. A large white butterfly with black circles with orange around the edge of the circles feeding on small pink Thyme flowers. The butterfly has it's wings closed and is looking directly at the camera with it's proboscis inserted into a flower.

Out camping in the Sierra Nevada and it was quite windy until the moon vanished around 03.15ish then it was still and the temperature dropped. I took this shot not long before it vanished last Wednesday.

A picture of the moon, not full, in a black sky. Visible are the craters. A picture of the moon, not full, in a black sky. Visible are the craters.

Reintroduced Bearded Vulture killed by wind turbine collision in 🤬

"Incidents like this undo decades of effort in the recovery and protection of Spanish biodiversity. The Bearded Vulture, a symbol of conservation success, faces an uncertain future if current trends continue. It is imperative to learn from this tragedy and take decisive steps to ensure that renewable energy development does not come at the cost of our most vulnerable species." https://4vultures.org/blog/bearded-vulture-killed-by-wind-turbine-collision-in-spain/

I always get a thrill when I am able to spend time with these wonderful birds, natures clean up crew. This bird was seen at first light after we had climbed a peak. Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), also known as the Eurasian Griffon, is a large short tailed vulture with excellent eyesight and in flight can spot an animal carcass from a distance in excess of five km (info from Bird Fact).

A Griffon vulture lit up by first light gliding below the photographer. The rocky background is blurred out. A Griffon vulture lit up by first light gliding below the photographer. The rocky background is blurred out.

I love seeing these little insects. Thread-winged Lacewing (Nemoptera bipennis) are like fairies. I saw quite a few of these flying around on our recent overnight trip into the Sierra Nevada.

A beautiful Iberian Spoonwing insect. The background is blurred and the insect is holding onto a dead blade of grass. A beautiful Iberian Spoonwing insect. The background is blurred and the insect is holding onto a dead blade of grass.

From the garden this past week.

A type of Allium. As sphere shape with pinkish tones on a slim brown stem with blurred dead brown grass behind. A type of Allium. As sphere shape with pinkish tones on a slim brown stem with blurred dead brown grass behind.

The first Passion flower of the year. I have no idea how to describe this crazy purple flower with mostly blurred out green leaves behind. The first Passion flower of the year. I have no idea how to describe this crazy purple flower with mostly blurred out green leaves behind.

A baby apple among the green leaves of the tree. The tree was only planted this year and this is it's first fruit. It's a Pink Lady variety. A baby apple among the green leaves of the tree. The tree was only planted this year and this is it's first fruit. It's a Pink Lady variety.

A black cat with tan bits throughout her coat laying fast asleep on outdoor furniture. She says to wake her when summer is over. I didn't have the heart to tell her it's only just started! A black cat with tan bits throughout her coat laying fast asleep on outdoor furniture. She says to wake her when summer is over. I didn't have the heart to tell her it's only just started!

Wild horses in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Always nice to come across these small family groups.

A picture of 4 grey horses looking towards people who are not on the picture. They are stood in the high mountains with rocks, vegetation and snow around. A picture of 4 grey horses looking towards people who are not on the picture. They are stood in the high mountains with rocks, vegetation and snow around.

While back in the UK in May I watched a pair of Blue tits who had nested in a bird house in my Dad's garden going backwards and forwards with food. I didn't get to see the babies fledge, but my Dad reports that they did. Does anyone know if they will have two broods in a season or just the one?

A small Blue Tit bird perched on a metal bracket with a yellow background behind. The bird has a tiny yellow/green caterpillar in it's beak. A small Blue Tit bird perched on a metal bracket with a yellow background behind. The bird has a tiny yellow/green caterpillar in it's beak.

Humid day here in Lanjarón today. Photo from the dog walk this morning. Enjoying the cooler air and getting jobs done that I've been putting off because of the heat.

One white dog and one black and white husky standing looking over a cliff edge towards a Spanish village with low lying clouds. One white dog and one black and white husky standing looking over a cliff edge towards a Spanish village with low lying clouds.

I can hear you thinking "Why is she posting this awful shot?" It is rather exciting. In this picture there are 3 species of vulture. Taken at 2200m in Sierra Nevada mountains, in the Granada province. Among the more common Griffon vultures there is 1 Black & 1 Bearded vulture. The Black is a very occasional visitor to our province. The Bearded is part of a successful reintroduction programme in. Not many have seen this in our province

A photograph showing mostly Griffon vultures flying around, some with a blue sky background and some with the bare mountain with a patch of snow background. The bird circled in red (top left) is a Bearded vulture (the bone breaker), they are trying to breed in the Sierra Nevada after a successful reintroduction programe in Andalucia. The bird circled in purple, just above the skyline on the right, is a Black vulture, not often seen in the Granada province. The birds were a long way off, it's a poor photo, but a record shot of a scene not many people have seen in the Granada province. A photograph showing mostly Griffon vultures flying around, some with a blue sky background and some with the bare mountain with a patch of snow background. The bird circled in red (top left) is a Bearded vulture (the bone breaker), they are trying to breed in the Sierra Nevada after a successful reintroduction programe in Andalucia. The bird circled in purple, just above the skyline on the right, is a Black vulture, not often seen in the Granada province. The birds were a long way off, it's a poor photo, but a record shot of a scene not many people have seen in the Granada province.

I took a sneaky photo of our new neighbours yesterday. I certainly prefer them to human neighbours 😅 These two male Spanish Ibex have taken up residence on a big rock opposite our house. I think I found out who ate my bulbs!

Two male Spanish Ibex laying down, both have noticed the photographer. They are laying on a big rock that has plenty of soil and stones on it. The background of green trees is blurred out. Two male Spanish Ibex laying down, both have noticed the photographer. They are laying on a big rock that has plenty of soil and stones on it. The background of green trees is blurred out.

Perhaps the most exciting bird we saw that day was the Little Bustard. We saw 3 different male birds. This bird is quite difficult to see, besides it's camoflauge, it's habitat is being destroyed so there are not many of them left in our province. Sadly the thing that is destroying the habitat the most are solar farms, thousands and thousands. It's horrific to see.

A ploughed field with a Little Bustard male bird just off centre left. The bird blends in really well to the brown ploughed field. A ploughed field with a Little Bustard male bird just off centre left. The bird blends in really well to the brown ploughed field.

A male Little Bustard flying (there were two) in a pale blue sky. The bird is very duck like while flying and quite comical. A male Little Bustard flying (there were two) in a pale blue sky. The bird is very duck like while flying and quite comical.

Before coming to the UK I got to spend a few hours birdwatching with friends. The most numerous raptor during that time were the returning Short-toed Eagles.

An adult Short-toed eagle flying from the right of the picture to the left. The sky is pale blue. The bird has dark markings and a dark hood, showing it's older age. An adult Short-toed eagle flying from the right of the picture to the left. The sky is pale blue. The bird has dark markings and a dark hood, showing it's older age.

A young Short-toed eagle. The bird is flying from the left to the right of the picture. The sky is a pale blue. The bird has very pale markings showing it's young age. A young Short-toed eagle. The bird is flying from the left to the right of the picture. The sky is a pale blue. The bird has very pale markings showing it's young age.

Back in the UK for a week, timed it right with Bluebell season. These little beauties were up at the church yard. Looking forward to getting to the local woodland at the weekend to see a full display. Just a shot from the mobile.

A small clump of British Bluebells standing in green grass A small clump of British Bluebells standing in green grass

I encountered this super cool insect on our land yesterday. Introducing the Acrida hungarica or commonly known as the Nosed Grasshopper. Also known as Mediterranean slant-faced grasshopper!

A green long thin grasshopper (looks more like a stick insect) It's mainly green in colour. It is resting on stone. A green long thin grasshopper (looks more like a stick insect) It's mainly green in colour. It is resting on stone.

We are in a drought in some reservoirs are in single figures of their potential capacity. This past week, and this weekend, has been wet, it's been wonderful. It won't cure our drought but it will go towards helping us get through another summer. Took the dogs out during a break in the rain this morning, the rain caught up with us, we got wet, we didn't mind!

Picture of a white dog on a cliff path looking down and across the valley. On the lower right of the picture is the village of Lanjaron. Centre distance are wind turbines and hills disappearing in rain. The sky is grey and white. Picture of a white dog on a cliff path looking down and across the valley. On the lower right of the picture is the village of Lanjaron. Centre distance are wind turbines and hills disappearing in rain. The sky is grey and white.

A few more types of wild orchid are starting to flower now. I'm still missing some that would usually be out about now. When the weather picks up, which will be next week now, I shall get out see what else I can find.

This tiny wild orchid known as the Mirror Orchid (Ophrys speculum). The camera has taken a picture from above looking down onto the flower. This tiny wild orchid known as the Mirror Orchid (Ophrys speculum). The camera has taken a picture from above looking down onto the flower.

A wild orchid known as Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera). The picture is taken of the flower looking directly at it. A wild orchid known as Sawfly Orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera). The picture is taken of the flower looking directly at it.

Wild orchid known as the Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orchis papilionacea). The picture has been taken looking directly into one of the flowers Wild orchid known as the Pink Butterfly Orchid (Orchis papilionacea). The picture has been taken looking directly into one of the flowers

Wild orchid known as the Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea). The picture has been taken looking directly onto the flower. Wild orchid known as the Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophrys lutea). The picture has been taken looking directly onto the flower.

Picture of a light blue eyed black and white husky looking at the camera with his mouth slightly open giving the impression of a smile. Just above his left ear a white dog is laying down ears pricked up also looking at the camera. Both dogs are standing in various shades of green grass with a few young olive trees above and to the right of the dogs. Picture of a light blue eyed black and white husky looking at the camera with his mouth slightly open giving the impression of a smile. Just above his left ear a white dog is laying down ears pricked up also looking at the camera. Both dogs are standing in various shades of green grass with a few young olive trees above and to the right of the dogs.

Some of early flowering wild orchids so far this season. The orchids seem to be all over the place with who is flowering when at the moment. I guess with drought conditions for a few years is taking it's toll. Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertianum), Fan-lipped Orchid (Orchis collina) and Sombre Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca)

The picture consists of two small Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertianum). A thick green stem holds a bunch of flowers that sort of look like human bodies with alien heads! The edge of the arms and legs are brownish blending into pale pink, some with dark pink dots, with white in the centre. Some flowers still tightly rolled up waiting for flower. The picture consists of two small Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertianum). A thick green stem holds a bunch of flowers that sort of look like human bodies with alien heads! The edge of the arms and legs are brownish blending into pale pink, some with dark pink dots, with white in the centre. Some flowers still tightly rolled up waiting for flower.

The picture shows one spike of Fan-lipped Orchid (Orchis collina). The orchid is on a slender green stem with flowers coming off in different directions. The flowers remind me of angels, they have a pink skirt with greenish pinkish wings. The centre is white. The back ground is green grass with dew drops on them, some in focus some not. The picture shows one spike of Fan-lipped Orchid (Orchis collina). The orchid is on a slender green stem with flowers coming off in different directions. The flowers remind me of angels, they have a pink skirt with greenish pinkish wings. The centre is white. The back ground is green grass with dew drops on them, some in focus some not.

The picture consists of one taller Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertianum). A thick green stem holds a bunch of flowers that sort of look like human bodies with alien heads! The edge of the arms and legs are brownish blending into pale pink, some with dark pink dots and stripes, with white in the centre. Some flowers still tightly rolled up waiting for flower. The background is out of focus short grass. The picture consists of one taller Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertianum). A thick green stem holds a bunch of flowers that sort of look like human bodies with alien heads! The edge of the arms and legs are brownish blending into pale pink, some with dark pink dots and stripes, with white in the centre. Some flowers still tightly rolled up waiting for flower. The background is out of focus short grass.

The picture shows one spike of Sombre Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca). The background is an out of focus rock. There is a yellow green slender short stem with a handful of flowers on it. The flower shape is sort of human body shape, arms, body and legs are dark brown, purple short hair looking. The centre upward is pale whiteish blending to darker grey. All flowers are edged in yellow. The one flower looks to have a face in it! These flowers are very difficult to describe, but I hope you get an idea. The picture shows one spike of Sombre Bee Orchid (Ophrys fusca). The background is an out of focus rock. There is a yellow green slender short stem with a handful of flowers on it. The flower shape is sort of human body shape, arms, body and legs are dark brown, purple short hair looking. The centre upward is pale whiteish blending to darker grey. All flowers are edged in yellow. The one flower looks to have a face in it! These flowers are very difficult to describe, but I hope you get an idea.

Stacked lenticular clouds sitting above the white Sierra Nevada mountains. As you can tell by the clouds bad weather is due soon. Grabbed with a mobile phone from a moving vehicle.

Stacked lenticular clouds in a pale blue sky above snowy mountains with lower brown mountains in front and olive trees and brown sparse ground in the forefront. Taken from a moving car. Stacked lenticular clouds in a pale blue sky above snowy mountains with lower brown mountains in front and olive trees and brown sparse ground in the forefront. Taken from a moving car.

Some boy is making sure we don't forget to give him the broccoli stalks!

Light blue eyed black and white husky sat staring at broccoli stalks on a white kitchen counter. Light blue eyed black and white husky sat staring at broccoli stalks on a white kitchen counter.

At 2500m in the Sierra Nevada mountains of Spain yesterday I came across these hooligans (Coal Tits) rolling around on the floor. It was like scene from a film 😂 They were trying to kill eachother, I had to split them up in the end, remind them they had to eat plenty, rather than fight, to make it through the night! No idea what the argument could be about, do you?

A pair of birds, Coal Tits, engaged in a fight, rolling around on the wet, snowy icy floor. A pair of birds, Coal Tits, engaged in a fight, rolling around on the wet, snowy icy floor.

A pair of birds, Coal Tits, engaged in a fight, rolling around on the wet, snowy icy floor. A blurred shot. A pair of birds, Coal Tits, engaged in a fight, rolling around on the wet, snowy icy floor. A blurred shot.

A pair of birds, Coal Tits, engaged in a fight, rolling around on the wet, snowy icy floor. A pair of birds, Coal Tits, engaged in a fight, rolling around on the wet, snowy icy floor.

A pair of birds, Coal Tits, engaged in a fight, rolling around on the wet, snowy icy floor. A pair of birds, Coal Tits, engaged in a fight, rolling around on the wet, snowy icy floor.

It's a sad day today, after 17 years together our love hate relationship is over. Today my winter mountaineering boots said no more put me out to retirement 😥 We've enjoyed many adventures together. At least they enjoyed one final foray into the snow today 🥶

Picture of a La Sportiva Nepal Evo winter mountaineering boot with the soul breaking away. Picture of a La Sportiva Nepal Evo winter mountaineering boot with the soul breaking away.

This boy still has the stitches in his eye. Because he has leishmaniasis the wound is taking longer than usual to heal, but the tumour removal site is looking good. That's why we are getting so many trips down to the coast, vet visits.

Black and white husky dog with light blue eyes walking towards the camera on a dark sandy beach. Behind is slightly blurred cane. Black and white husky dog with light blue eyes walking towards the camera on a dark sandy beach. Behind is slightly blurred cane.

This is such a striking little bird. Not one I see very often as it's mainly down at the coast and well we don't go there very often. However we were at the coast yesterday and came across a small group of Common Waxbill, I managed to get lots of out of focus shots of the group 😂 but managed get this one on it's own in focus.

A small finch bird perched on a piece of cane. The bird has a red bill, long tail, and a red eye stripe. It has fine bars running through it's plumage with a white throat. This one has a pinkish flush to it underpart. The cane behind the bird is mostly blurred out. A small finch bird perched on a piece of cane. The bird has a red bill, long tail, and a red eye stripe. It has fine bars running through it's plumage with a white throat. This one has a pinkish flush to it underpart. The cane behind the bird is mostly blurred out.