Kiersten Rowland

Adventures, wildlife, and life in the Alpujarras

Notes – All years

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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.

Spot the Golden Oriole! This was one of the young, hiding in our neighbours eucalyptus tree a week ago. They have now left us and are on the most dangerous journey of their young lives. It's time to migrate (along with many other bird species) and head back to Africa after breeding. It's a signal that summer is coming to an end, although it never feels like it in August!

Mostly green leaves of a eucalyptus tree, but behind some you can just make out a bird. It's a young Golden Oriole. It's black eye is peaking out from under a leaf, it has a slight yellow patch at the back of the head, the throat and chest are off white, with brown streaks and a hint of yellow. The closed wings are brown. Mostly green leaves of a eucalyptus tree, but behind some you can just make out a bird. It's a young Golden Oriole. It's black eye is peaking out from under a leaf, it has a slight yellow patch at the back of the head, the throat and chest are off white, with brown streaks and a hint of yellow. The closed wings are brown.

Swamp monster practicing his dinosaur 🦖 impersonation! 😂

A black and white husky standing on his hind legs trying to catch water droplets. He is stood on some muddy yellow grass land with water in front and behind him. A blue sky. Two small dogs are sat behind him. Water droplets are left and centre of the picture. A black and white husky standing on his hind legs trying to catch water droplets. He is stood on some muddy yellow grass land with water in front and behind him. A blue sky. Two small dogs are sat behind him. Water droplets are left and centre of the picture.

Disaster averted! There's been a wildfire nearby, the fire planes have been busy flying over the house for a few hours. I was photographing a pair of Booted eagles when all of a sudden a fire plane came and joined the scene! The eagle managed to dodge the plane. It could have ended very badly for both the eagle and the occupants of the plane but thankfully that did not happen!

A yellow fixed wing fire plane and a Booted eagle flying way too close to eachother. The eagle is at the end of the right wing of the plane. Hazy blue sky all around. A yellow fixed wing fire plane and a Booted eagle flying way too close to eachother. The eagle is at the end of the right wing of the plane. Hazy blue sky all around.

Another picture from a Khumbu camping trip in the high mountains. At camp he was always attached to a tie out lead. At 3000m as the sun set and the moon came out Khumbu continued his quest for mountain goats and foxes!

A black and white Siberian husky sitting side on to the camera, staring off into the distance, rocks are behind. The sun has set, the few clouds in the sky have turned pink and you can make out the moon. A black and white Siberian husky sitting side on to the camera, staring off into the distance, rocks are behind. The sun has set, the few clouds in the sky have turned pink and you can make out the moon.

Awe this always brings a smile to my face. When Khumbu went camping in the Sierra Nevada mountains for 4 days in 2013, clever husky he was, sent this message :- "Dear Hu'mum, having a good time. Saved everybody last night from a fox during a storm. In trouble today cos I ran away. Eating clients food. No more dog biscuits please. See you soon. Love Khumbu"

A black and white husky laying on his side on the grass fast asleep. There is a red tent hind him, a yellow sleep mat beside him and a blue water bladder beside that. There is a mountain stream running past the tent. In the background are some mountains with a patch of snow on. Blue sky beyond that. A black and white husky laying on his side on the grass fast asleep. There is a red tent hind him, a yellow sleep mat beside him and a blue water bladder beside that. There is a mountain stream running past the tent. In the background are some mountains with a patch of snow on. Blue sky beyond that.

Sometimes I wonder if Sweep is all there 🤣

A black and white blue eyed husky laying on the floor looking towards the photographer. On his left is the back legs of a white dog. A cat is upside down photobombing. She is on her back, looking towards the camera. She has a pink nose and white throat/chest. A black and white blue eyed husky laying on the floor looking towards the photographer. On his left is the back legs of a white dog. A cat is upside down photobombing. She is on her back, looking towards the camera. She has a pink nose and white throat/chest.

Passion flowers are so intricate and a bit crazy with their designs.

A Passion flower with it's crazy design. Maybe 8 white petals are the bottom, on top of those are white a purple needle shape petals of the flower fanning out. Towards the centre dark purple and green parts fan around the stamen. The stamen is light green with five or so yellow bit attached and above that there is more craziness with three wibbly purple and green stems ending with a bottom shape! A Passion flower with it's crazy design. Maybe 8 white petals are the bottom, on top of those are white a purple needle shape petals of the flower fanning out. Towards the centre dark purple and green parts fan around the stamen. The stamen is light green with five or so yellow bit attached and above that there is more craziness with three wibbly purple and green stems ending with a bottom shape!

Kyra, who we lost 7 years ago. What a beauty she was, inside and out.

A Leonberger dog looking at the photographer. She has her big pink tongue hanging out of her mouth. She has brown and black fur, brown eyes and a big black nose. Light blue sky behind. A Leonberger dog looking at the photographer. She has her big pink tongue hanging out of her mouth. She has brown and black fur, brown eyes and a big black nose. Light blue sky behind.

Well this is a novelty for this time of year, we have clouds! Certainly makes the sky more interesting than just the boring summer blue.

Picture showing a Spanish village. In the foreground are olive trees and behind are hillsides. The sky is various shades of blue with white cartoonish clouds. Picture showing a Spanish village. In the foreground are olive trees and behind are hillsides. The sky is various shades of blue with white cartoonish clouds.

It's all about finding water on the dog walks at this time of year. Here the dogs found some in a catchment in an acequia. They look pretty happy to be in it.

A black and white blue eyed husky and a white dog looking at the camera. They are both stood in water. Cement walls are on either side of them. Vegetation is growing about the walls. A black and white blue eyed husky and a white dog looking at the camera. They are both stood in water. Cement walls are on either side of them. Vegetation is growing about the walls.

The summer race against the rising sun. Every summer it's the same, out with the dogs before the sun gets up and making it home before the sun hits! We won by a long way today! Photo shows two dogs looking over a low white wall, one is stood next to a large wooden cross. To the right of the cross in the background is a Spanish village, to the left of the cross in the background are dry mountains with the sun halfway down. The summer race against the rising sun. Every summer it's the same, out with the dogs before the sun gets up and making it home before the sun hits! We won by a long way today! Photo shows two dogs looking over a low white wall, one is stood next to a large wooden cross. To the right of the cross in the background is a Spanish village, to the left of the cross in the background are dry mountains with the sun halfway down.

Yesterday I took a trip down memory lane going for a ride in my Dad's neighbours 1938 Riley Lynx. He brought it for half a crown. Only 60 remain in the world! As kids we used to wait for him to return from work and ask to go for a ride in the car. Nine years ago I visited the Riley as the neighbour was restoring it after a long time off the road. We spoke about the fun times and how it would be wonderful to go for a ride again. Today we did just that.

A blue 1938 Riley Lynx car with a person sat in the driver's seat. The car sort of reminds of the one from the film chitty chitty bang bang! A blue 1938 Riley Lynx car with a person sat in the driver's seat. The car sort of reminds of the one from the film chitty chitty bang bang!

How to survive the summer according to Sooty!

A black cat with brown splodges laying stretched out on her back on a black cushion which is on a green swing chair. Her head is hanging over the edge of the cushion and her front legs are stretched way in front! A black cat with brown splodges laying stretched out on her back on a black cushion which is on a green swing chair. Her head is hanging over the edge of the cushion and her front legs are stretched way in front!

This summer Sweep has taken to sleeping under the BBQ. Cats do the strangest things!

A cat is partially visible curled asleep inside a protective cover inside a BBQ cupboard. The right door is open. A cat is partially visible curled asleep inside a protective cover inside a BBQ cupboard. The right door is open.

Our beautiful ball of light setting for another night, seen from 2800m up in the mountains. The sun went through mucky part of the sky while setting, it made the sun look like a reflection on water, before and after this section the sun was round as we'd expect.

A picture of the sun setting. the sun is about to disappear below the silhouette of the mountains. The sky is various shades of orange. A picture of the sun setting. the sun is about to disappear below the silhouette of the mountains. The sky is various shades of orange.

We spent a wonderful cool night up in the Sierra Nevada mountains last night. We were lucky to see a handful of this endemic butterfly 🦋 Parnassius apollo subsp nevadensis. It is only on the wing from late June to early August and has just one generation! Although it is endangered it is considered stable

A large white butterfly with black splodges on the wings. A circle can be seen on each back wing, outlined in black with orange and white in the middle. The body is large and hairy. A large white butterfly with black splodges on the wings. A circle can be seen on each back wing, outlined in black with orange and white in the middle. The body is large and hairy.

Cypripedium calceolus is a Lady's slipper orchid which happened to be flowering while we were on a recent trip to the Pyrenees and we had the privilege of seeing this rare orchid. What an absolute beauty ❤️ In Spain it is only found in Aragon and Catalonia. It is a protected orchid and guarded while in flower.

A picture showing Lady's slipper orchid flowers. The flower has a yellow base, shape of a shoe, 3 dark reddish leaves, one standing up straight and one on either side. One flower is in focus and the others in the background are not in focus. The flowers stand out of a green background. A picture showing Lady's slipper orchid flowers. The flower has a yellow base, shape of a shoe, 3 dark reddish leaves, one standing up straight and one on either side. One flower is in focus and the others in the background are not in focus. The flowers stand out of a green background.

There is nothing better than home grown. Some of the veggies for tonight's meal. Peas, curly kale, sprouting broccoli, asparagus and the last of the normal broccoli. We are going green 💚

A picture showing freshly picked peas, asparagus, two types of broccoli and curly kale. All are green, in a white bowl on a white worktop. A picture showing freshly picked peas, asparagus, two types of broccoli and curly kale. All are green, in a white bowl on a white worktop.

I've spent years trying to get a decent photograph of a Eurasian Golden Oriole. This morning I think I have achieved it. These shy birds come back every year to our place and torment me. Anyone who has tried to photograph this bird knows what I mean 😂 She was distracted, chatting to the male, allowing me to sneak a picture. A nice start to the day.

A picture showing a female Golden Oriole. It's thrush size bird. She is mostly a dull yellow colour, with light black wings. She has a red beak. She is perched on the branch of a tree side on to the photographer. The scene behind the bird is blurred out A picture showing a female Golden Oriole. It's thrush size bird. She is mostly a dull yellow colour, with light black wings. She has a red beak. She is perched on the branch of a tree side on to the photographer. The scene behind the bird is blurred out

Don't you hate it when you spot the one and only large grass blowing in the breeze after you took the shot and after the dogs said on we go with our walk please 😂 Sorry Rita for the addition to your coat!

Two dogs stood end to end. Foreground daisy type flowers. Centre left black and white husky. Centre right white shepherd husky looking dog. Either side of the dog are green mountains and behind a blue sky. Two dogs stood end to end. Foreground daisy type flowers. Centre left black and white husky. Centre right white shepherd husky looking dog. Either side of the dog are green mountains and behind a blue sky.

Bumped into a Short-toed Snake Eagle yesterday. It was resting up in a tree. I don't often get to see eagles in trees, usually they are flying, so it was a nice surprise.

A side view of a Short-toed Snake eagle standing on a dead tree branch. The top of half of the eagle is brown, the lower part is white with brown stripes. The eye is orange. Behind the eagle is mostly out of focus sky and trees below. A side view of a Short-toed Snake eagle standing on a dead tree branch. The top of half of the eagle is brown, the lower part is white with brown stripes. The eye is orange. Behind the eagle is mostly out of focus sky and trees below.

Haha this time I caught Sooty having a yawn, no stretch this time!

Photo of a black cat having a yawn showing her teeth and tongue. She is facing the camera, eyes closed, laying on a black cushion. Behind her are olive trees with the setting sun. Photo of a black cat having a yawn showing her teeth and tongue. She is facing the camera, eyes closed, laying on a black cushion. Behind her are olive trees with the setting sun.

Haha I caught Sweep having a yawn and stretch 😂

A tri coloured cat yawning with front paws reaching towards the camera. The mouth is wide open showing her tongue and canine teeth. She is laying in a beige coloured fluffy bed. A tri coloured cat yawning with front paws reaching towards the camera. The mouth is wide open showing her tongue and canine teeth. She is laying in a beige coloured fluffy bed.