Kiersten Rowland

Adventures, wildlife, and life in the Alpujarras

Notes – All years

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Sometimes you take a picture, not necessarily a good one, but you feel you could write a story from that one picture. For me, this is one of those pictures 🧐

A photo showing a black and white husky standing on a green grass terrace surrounded by wildflowers and some olive trees. The dog is looking down the terrace towards a white dog and a human who are walking was from him. A cloudy light blue sky and mountains in the distance. The photo has a white boarded frame around it. A photo showing a black and white husky standing on a green grass terrace surrounded by wildflowers and some olive trees. The dog is looking down the terrace towards a white dog and a human who are walking was from him. A cloudy light blue sky and mountains in the distance. The photo has a white boarded frame around it.

I'm seeing this Common Kestrel regularly on the dog walk at the moment. Maybe she is claiming this territory as hers for the breeding season? Or maybe she is just out hunting the same time I walk the dogs! Not quite silent sunday 😁

A common Kestrel just taken off from the top of a metal pylon. She has her wings raised. Her underneath body and wings are light beige with black dots and strips. Her tail is striped black with black edging. She has yellow legs. A common Kestrel just taken off from the top of a metal pylon. She has her wings raised. Her underneath body and wings are light beige with black dots and strips. Her tail is striped black with black edging. She has yellow legs.

Love these two ❤️ They are showing their age but they are still keen to get out for a walk even if its only half an hour.

Two dogs, one white and one black and white, ears alert and mouths open making them look like happy faces. Stood on the edge of an olive tree terrace with small white flowers. Two dogs, one white and one black and white, ears alert and mouths open making them look like happy faces. Stood on the edge of an olive tree terrace with small white flowers.

What a perfect day we had, topped off by a close encounter with a Bearded vulture (Lammegeier) on the drive back down the mountain. Photos to come.

After 20 years I still get amazed that sometimes we can see the Riff mountains in Morocco from our mountains here in Spain. These pictures were taken yesterday on our walk. Long distance views were hazy yesterday but you could still see the mountains over 200km away. In each picture you can see the mountains, even snow on one of the shots. Europe to Africa.

A hillside with pine trees slanting middle left to bottom right. Behind is the blue Mediterranean sea and behind that in the haze are the Riff mountains in Morocco, Africa A hillside with pine trees slanting middle left to bottom right. Behind is the blue Mediterranean sea and behind that in the haze are the Riff mountains in Morocco, Africa

The blue Mediterranean sea and behind that coming out of the haze are the Riff mountains in Morocco, Africa. You can see snow on one of the mountains. The blue Mediterranean sea and behind that coming out of the haze are the Riff mountains in Morocco, Africa. You can see snow on one of the mountains.

A hillside slanting down just below centre right to middle bottom. On the sunlit Mediterranean sea are two ships and behind that coming out of the haze towards the right are the Riff mountains in Morocco, Africa. A hillside slanting down just below centre right to middle bottom. On the sunlit Mediterranean sea are two ships and behind that coming out of the haze towards the right are the Riff mountains in Morocco, Africa.

We've had a rainbow type of day today and this one was particularly bright 🌈 Still the unsettled weather persists here in Andalucia. I should say I zoomed right into this to see how it would look.

Part of a bright rainbow coming down behind a tree covered hill. Part of a bright rainbow coming down behind a tree covered hill.

Awe a nice memory from 15 years ago. Everyone in the shade apart from Tapa who was sunbathing. Clockwise from bottom left - Bruno the Leonberger, Khumbu the Siberian Husky, Taz the cat & Tapa the no idea what breeds were involved in making him haha. None of them are with us anymore 🌈

A group siesta of dogs and a cat laying in various sections of shade, except one dog who is sunbathing. They are all laying on the ground. Palm and Olive trees behind them. A pruned grapevine is in the shot top of the shot right to left. A group siesta of dogs and a cat laying in various sections of shade, except one dog who is sunbathing. They are all laying on the ground. Palm and Olive trees behind them. A pruned grapevine is in the shot top of the shot right to left.

The first of the Giants are on their way. Orchid season is starting to open. Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum robertianum) @wildorchids

Two flowers start to unfurl on a Giant Orchid. The flowers are white with pink tinged edges ans pink dots in the white. Shiny green leaves. Many buds still to open. The orchid is standing among grass and other orchid rosettes. Two flowers start to unfurl on a Giant Orchid. The flowers are white with pink tinged edges ans pink dots in the white. Shiny green leaves. Many buds still to open. The orchid is standing among grass and other orchid rosettes.

In the cloud and rainy dog walk today. Embracing these weeks of bad weather knowing full well summer will be here too soon and it will be too hot!

Two dogs with their backs to the camera. One black and white and one white stood on an ancient rocky muddy mule track, a ruin with almond and olive trees around it and the mule track curving in front. Through the cloud you can just make out the village below. Two dogs with their backs to the camera. One black and white and one white stood on an ancient rocky muddy mule track, a ruin with almond and olive trees around it and the mule track curving in front. Through the cloud you can just make out the village below.

Looking forward to the hillsides being covered in Almond blossom. We are having a proper winter, the blossom is being delayed and no doubt when February comes it will be glorious. The picture is from a few years ago.

A bee heavily laden with yellow pollen on her legs resting on an almond flower before flying back to the hive. The almond flower has white petals with pink smudge in the centre. A bee heavily laden with yellow pollen on her legs resting on an almond flower before flying back to the hive. The almond flower has white petals with pink smudge in the centre.

Here is an up close picture of an Andean Condor, who I affectionately named Cindy, her partner I named Cyrl, ❤️ from our recent trip to Patagonia. We spent a lot of time with these particular birds as they live on cliffs close to the town of El Chalten. We had some pretty close encounters at times as they came into land. Fabulous birds. Only the female has the red eye.

A close up picture of an Andean Condor flying below the photographer as she was coming into land on the cliff. The bird is mostly black, but has a white ruff on her neck and white bands of feather towards the back of the wings. A bald greyish head and beak and red eye. A close up picture of an Andean Condor flying below the photographer as she was coming into land on the cliff. The bird is mostly black, but has a white ruff on her neck and white bands of feather towards the back of the wings. A bald greyish head and beak and red eye.

Today's dog walk reminded us that Arko has a fear, bridges & drops.Maybe his eye sight is not so good now 🤷 A year or so ago he refused to walk past the swimming pool, there's no water in there, but a greenhouse! Middle of last year he decided he wasn't going out, or in, the steps leading out of the garden, he will only go through the main gates. I put on his lead and encouraged him across the bridge he'd turned back from.

Video showing one white dog crossing a bridge over a river. The second dog, black and white husky starts to cross but gets scared and turns around off the bridge running past the person taking the video. The second part of the video shows rather than take the bridge, like the humans, two dogs ford the river. First goes the black and white husky, followed shortly after by smaller white dog. They both love the water but it does get a little deep before they exist the river.

I thought "they' (whoever they are) said living or getting in the countryside is good for your health, better air quality etc! Hmmm not today in Lanjaron it isn't, someone must have said today is the day to burn the garden rubbish. Looks like Spain will have overshot their emissions target for 2026 in one day 🤭

Picture showing a Spanish village, disappearing in smoke, surrounded by hillsides with green trees in the foreground. Grey cloudy sky. Picture showing a Spanish village, disappearing in smoke, surrounded by hillsides with green trees in the foreground. Grey cloudy sky.

From myself and the dogs, Rita and Arko, we wish you merry and peaceful Christmas.

A picture showing two dogs, one white and the other black and white, stood near a wooden cross over looking the town Lanjaron. A picture showing two dogs, one white and the other black and white, stood near a wooden cross over looking the town Lanjaron.

Meet Balthazar, the oldest Bearded Vulture ever recorded in the wild. An unexpected rescue — an incredible story 37 years in the making. Released in 1988, he was recently rescued by the same conservation programme—and some of the same people—who once raised and released him. A rare and moving loop in time.

https://4vultures.org/blog/an-unexpected-rescue-of-a-legendary-bearded-vulture-balthazar/

Feathery Findings - El Chalten, Patagonia, Argentina 🇦🇷 November 1st 2025. A couple of hours along the Rio de Las Vueltas.

Southern Lapwing landing. Wings outstretched to land. White under wings with black edges. Pink spurs showing well on the upper edge of the wings. Southern Lapwing landing. Wings outstretched to land. White under wings with black edges. Pink spurs showing well on the upper edge of the wings.

Rufus Tailed Plantcutter flying past the photographer. The bird was actually in a territorial dispute with another male. This one would land and was quickly chased off by another. Rufus Tailed Plantcutter flying past the photographer. The bird was actually in a territorial dispute with another male. This one would land and was quickly chased off by another.

I spent ages trying to capture this Patagonian Sierra Finch. It landed in a tree close by. It was rarely still and with the infamous Patagonian wind blowing strong it was hiding out. Just briefly it came to my side of the branch and momentarily hung upside down! I spent ages trying to capture this Patagonian Sierra Finch. It landed in a tree close by. It was rarely still and with the infamous Patagonian wind blowing strong it was hiding out. Just briefly it came to my side of the branch and momentarily hung upside down!

An Austral Thrush. A family were singing, feeding, and taking shelter from the wind in a small beech woodland. The one gave this curious pose! An Austral Thrush. A family were singing, feeding, and taking shelter from the wind in a small beech woodland. The one gave this curious pose!

Not long now and I will be seeing these again ❤ In fact if this one is still alive I'll be seeing this exact Andean Condor 🧐

An Andean Condor rest on a rock ledge. Right to centre left is a rock with various lichens on it. The bird is resting just beyond with a grey background. The bird is looking side on at the photographer. The bird is a very big black bird with white wings. A grey bold head and a red eye. An Andean Condor rest on a rock ledge. Right to centre left is a rock with various lichens on it. The bird is resting just beyond with a grey background. The bird is looking side on at the photographer. The bird is a very big black bird with white wings. A grey bold head and a red eye.

How about some death defying antics from a Spanish Ibex 😱 While waiting for the vultures to wake up one of the many other animals that were on the move already was this Ibex. It walked along this so called ledge on the side of cliff (you'd become vulture food if you fell), it hit a dead end so decided to turn around (how I have no idea), then it jumped up where you see the light green bushes!

An Ibex walking along a thin line on a cliff face. The Ibex blends perfectly into it's surroundings. An Ibex walking along a thin line on a cliff face. The Ibex blends perfectly into it's surroundings.

Griffon vultures seem to be what my posts are about just now! Up close and personal with some this past week. These were not as shy as the others we saw a few weeks back, probably because they were flying and not on the ground. You can read a bit more about these fabulous birds at this link :- https://4vultures.org/vultures/griffon-vulture/

A close up shot of a Griffon vulture. The picture shows the detail of the feathers which are various shades of brown. You can just see the off white head, eye and beak of the bird. A close up shot of a Griffon vulture. The picture shows the detail of the feathers which are various shades of brown. You can just see the off white head, eye and beak of the bird.

That moment when your heart sinks because all the periscopes come up and you know you've been spotted 😕 😅

A picture showing a lot of Griffon vultures on the ground, all the heads are up and most are looking towards the photographer. They are waiting at a feeding station in the hope some food will be delivered, which wasn't while we were there, it's not a daily occurrence but it seems the vultures would like to disagree. A picture showing a lot of Griffon vultures on the ground, all the heads are up and most are looking towards the photographer. They are waiting at a feeding station in the hope some food will be delivered, which wasn't while we were there, it's not a daily occurrence but it seems the vultures would like to disagree.

We had no view on the dog walk today. We are getting some badly needed rain, only 10.2mm so far, but better than nothing and better than heavy destructive rain. We still had to visit the little fuente in the bamboo cave for the dogs to get a drink 💦

Two dogs, one black and white and one white, standing in front of a bamboo cave that leads to a small fuente. Two dogs, one black and white and one white, standing in front of a bamboo cave that leads to a small fuente.

A few wild horses were seen on our latest walk in the mountains. These three were having a snooze 🥱 until we woke them up.

Three wild horses stood in line. The first horse is dark brown with a black mane and tail. The second horse is the same colour. The third, a foal, is dark gray with a white blaze down it's face. They are stood among rocks and low vegetation. Three wild horses stood in line. The first horse is dark brown with a black mane and tail. The second horse is the same colour. The third, a foal, is dark gray with a white blaze down it's face. They are stood among rocks and low vegetation.

The first Saturday of September is International Vulture Awareness Day. Today we celebrate these marvelous birds and learn facts about natures cleaners. Have a read at this link to find out the Global efforts that are being made to try and halt the rapid decline in vultures https://www.birdlife.org/news/2022/09/03/global-efforts-to-halt-the-rapid-decline-of-vultures/

A shot of a Griffon vulture flying below the photographer. Below the bird are blurred green trees and shrubs. The bird is very large and shades of brown, from light to dark. It has long broad wings with long fingers, a short tail and a small head. The head on this bird is actually red as it has just returned from eating. A shot of a Griffon vulture flying below the photographer. Below the bird are blurred green trees and shrubs. The bird is very large and shades of brown, from light to dark. It has long broad wings with long fingers, a short tail and a small head. The head on this bird is actually red as it has just returned from eating.

I've had this video marked for a very long time to watch (the video is now 9 years old). Today I watched it. It's incredibly moving and beautifully filmed. There are some truly wonderful people in this world of horror that we find ourselves. It is so important to keep our keystone species alive. Twenty three minutes of your life that will be well spent. GoPro Cause: The Last of the Rhinos:- https://youtu.be/k6qn5jvqP3E?si=_BCZ9fNWeDVtm8d2

A screenshot of a video recommendation. It shows a Rhino moving backwards from a trailer onto the sandy type soil. The shot has been taken from ground level. You can see trees and bushes through his legs and a group of people standing safely on a container, middle right. A screenshot of a video recommendation. It shows a Rhino moving backwards from a trailer onto the sandy type soil. The shot has been taken from ground level. You can see trees and bushes through his legs and a group of people standing safely on a container, middle right.

Look at this big beautiful boy who turned up at our camp the other night. It's always wonderful to see a big male Spanish Ibex. He looked in great condition.

A large male Spanish Ibex standing side on, head turned to look at the photographer. He has two large curved horns from his head. Black face, large eyes, pale throat, body is mostly brown with pale parts with black patches towards his belly. Black stripe down the front of each leg and pale on the back of each leg. He is stood in a rocky landscape with lots of short green vegetation around him. A large male Spanish Ibex standing side on, head turned to look at the photographer. He has two large curved horns from his head. Black face, large eyes, pale throat, body is mostly brown with pale parts with black patches towards his belly. Black stripe down the front of each leg and pale on the back of each leg. He is stood in a rocky landscape with lots of short green vegetation around him.

This Alpine Accentor still has part of it's dinner hanging out the mouth 😂 Heading off into the mountains for a night out away from the heat. Looking forward to catching up with these and other birds.

A small sparrow sized bird looking sideways at the camera. The bird has a slight red eye in a brown head and neck, the throat is spotted white. The beak is black on top, yellow underneath. The main body of the bird is reddish brown. Pink legs. The bird is stood on rocks. A small sparrow sized bird looking sideways at the camera. The bird has a slight red eye in a brown head and neck, the throat is spotted white. The beak is black on top, yellow underneath. The main body of the bird is reddish brown. Pink legs. The bird is stood on rocks.

I rescued this Apteromantis aptera from the dog pool. I had to use the macro lens as she was so tiny but seemed grateful for the rescue 🙏 This is a species of praying mantis which is endemic to the Iberian peninsular.

A head on shot of a tiny praying mantis holding on to a blade of grass. The praying mantis is light brown in colour. She is looking directly at the camera. She has a triangular head, her eyes are angular, two long antenna from the head. She is in the classic praying stance. A head on shot of a tiny praying mantis holding on to a blade of grass. The praying mantis is light brown in colour. She is looking directly at the camera. She has a triangular head, her eyes are angular, two long antenna from the head. She is in the classic praying stance.

A sweet little Long-tailed Tit family were searching for food in the trees this morning ❤ They never stay still for long, always on the move. Regular visitors to the garden. This one sat still for a second which allowed me to get a shot.

A small bird sat on a twig in tree. The bird has a long tail, compared to the size of the bird. It has a small dark beak, a little eye surrounded by a white face and throat and a black head stripe above from the beak to the back of the head. The body is very light brown. A small bird sat on a twig in tree. The bird has a long tail, compared to the size of the bird. It has a small dark beak, a little eye surrounded by a white face and throat and a black head stripe above from the beak to the back of the head. The body is very light brown.

This whole scene actually really creeped me out, it's taken a good week for me to be able to process the pictures and still it makes feel 🤢

A spider hunting wasp dragging a wolf spider up the side of a some old pool tiles. The pool tiles are various shades of blue. The wasp is ascending backwards up the tiles, using it's mouth (I think) to hold the spider. The two creatures faces are together. The wasp is orangey brown in colour. The spider is brown. This is an edit of the text, I had it down as a European Hornet but have been made aware that is indeed a spider hunting wasp. A spider hunting wasp dragging a wolf spider up the side of a some old pool tiles. The pool tiles are various shades of blue. The wasp is ascending backwards up the tiles, using it's mouth (I think) to hold the spider. The two creatures faces are together. The wasp is orangey brown in colour. The spider is brown. This is an edit of the text, I had it down as a European Hornet but have been made aware that is indeed a spider hunting wasp.