Kiersten Rowland

Adventures, wildlife, and life in the Alpujarras

Notes – All years

Page 5 of 7 · 345 notes

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.

Another scene from down on the coast the other day. This dog posed so perfectly it was impossible not to take a picture of it with the owner who was fishing.

The almost silhouette of a dog stood behind it's owner who is holding a long fishing rod and is fishing off the end of a wall. The calm grey Mediterranean sea and grey sky. The almost silhouette of a dog stood behind it's owner who is holding a long fishing rod and is fishing off the end of a wall. The calm grey Mediterranean sea and grey sky.

Down at the coast yesterday I was trying to photograph a bird flying above the sea when I was aware of movement in the water. I forgot about the bird and concentrated on the movement, watching for ages as this thing flopped about on the surface. I was baffled by what I was seeing, something twigged in my head hey that has to be a Sunfish. Today I did some research and yep I can confidently say it was a Sunfish.

A picture showing a fin sticking out of the sea. Grey sea and various shades of grey fin A picture showing a fin sticking out of the sea. Grey sea and various shades of grey fin

When I visit Patagonia, one of the many joys about being there is getting to see these birds up close. The Andean Condor, wow what a bird it is. Weighing in at 15kg and a wingspan up to over 3m it is one of the largest flying birds in the world.

An Andean Condor perched on a rock face with a grey river below and behind. The rock face is on the right half of the picture. The bird is black and white. Mostly a black body, with white on it's wings and a white ruff around its bold black/grey head. It has a read eye. An Andean Condor perched on a rock face with a grey river below and behind. The rock face is on the right half of the picture. The bird is black and white. Mostly a black body, with white on it's wings and a white ruff around its bold black/grey head. It has a read eye.

Not quite the morning the dogs thought they were having. Both Rita and Arko at the vets. Rita to get a dental and Arko to have a small tumour removed from his eye. I don't think the dogs are going to talk to us again 😬 There is a lot of complaint coming from both of them already. I fear Arko will give us husky hell once his legs have recovered sufficiently 😂

Rita the white dog laying on a black sofa giving her best Princess Diana look. She is recovering nicely. Rita the white dog laying on a black sofa giving her best Princess Diana look. She is recovering nicely.

Arko the Black and white husky laying on the floor with Rita a white dog stood next to him. Arko was still coming round from his anaesthetic and refused to move any further. Needless to say, the car was brought to him. Arko the Black and white husky laying on the floor with Rita a white dog stood next to him. Arko was still coming round from his anaesthetic and refused to move any further. Needless to say, the car was brought to him.

White dog laying on a purple floor on a grey rug with a light blue blanket over her. She has just been given a sedative at the vets and is falling asleep. White dog laying on a purple floor on a grey rug with a light blue blanket over her. She has just been given a sedative at the vets and is falling asleep.

Arko the black and white husky with pale blue eyes, comfortable back at home. He's laying on a brown dog bed which is sat on orange tiles. Arko the black and white husky with pale blue eyes, comfortable back at home. He's laying on a brown dog bed which is sat on orange tiles.

Never a nice sight to see, but it always seems worse at night. Around 8.30pm a wildfire started on our mountain, we were safe, and thankfully those whose properties were involved were okay too. Wildfire just seems very wrong in winter.

Photo of a wildfire taken at night, yellow flames on the left and orange flames at the top and right. Photo of a wildfire taken at night, yellow flames on the left and orange flames at the top and right.

Photo of a wildfire taken at night. Orange flames, lots of embers and smoke. Photo of a wildfire taken at night. Orange flames, lots of embers and smoke.

Another Patagonian beauty and the original Woody Woodpecker, introducing Mr and Mrs Magellanic Woodpecker. It is the largest South American Woodpecker and one of the largest in the world.

A picture of a male and female Woodpecker on opposite sides of a tree. The female is on the left, mostly a black bird with a quiff. She has a golden eye and red feathers around the top of her beak. The male is on the right side of the tree, mostly black but with a red head, golden eye and a red quiff. A picture of a male and female Woodpecker on opposite sides of a tree. The female is on the left, mostly a black bird with a quiff. She has a golden eye and red feathers around the top of her beak. The male is on the right side of the tree, mostly black but with a red head, golden eye and a red quiff.

In Patagonia the birdlife seems to have little fear of humans. Here a White-throated Caracara came to visit me and clearly wanted it's photo taken 🙂

A White-throated Caracara sitting on rock with a blue sky and mountains streaked with snow in the back ground. The bird is a bird of prey. It is standing side on to the camera with it's head turned looking behind it. The under body is white, it's head, wings and top of the body is black. It has yellow legs with long claws. It has an orange coloured featherless part of face and the beak is clear blue colour. A White-throated Caracara sitting on rock with a blue sky and mountains streaked with snow in the back ground. The bird is a bird of prey. It is standing side on to the camera with it's head turned looking behind it. The under body is white, it's head, wings and top of the body is black. It has yellow legs with long claws. It has an orange coloured featherless part of face and the beak is clear blue colour.

This was a particularly handsome Gallot's lizard (Gallotia galloti palmae). He hung out with many of his relatives at the hotel we were staying at while walking with friends for a week on the Canary island of La Palma.

A side on view of dark grey lizard. He has a blue part face and throat with white bits. On his body he has yellow and blue splodges and dots. He has a yellow eye with a black pupil. He is stood on lava rock the same grey colour as himself. A side on view of dark grey lizard. He has a blue part face and throat with white bits. On his body he has yellow and blue splodges and dots. He has a yellow eye with a black pupil. He is stood on lava rock the same grey colour as himself.

The upper Lanjaron valley seen from the top of Cerro de Caballo (3009m) in the Sierra Nevada. We saw few signs of wildlife up this high now, only the real hardy souls like the Iberian Ibex are still around. The 3 highest peaks of the mountain range can be seen in the background with bits of snow hanging on. It was very very cold 🥶

A picture showing a valley. The highest peaks of the Sierra Nevada in Spain are seen at the back of the photo with some snow clinging to them. A layer of white cloud with a hole in allowing a bit of blue sky to push through. At the bottom of the picture is a lake with a small refuge looking over it. Quite a stark image. A picture showing a valley. The highest peaks of the Sierra Nevada in Spain are seen at the back of the photo with some snow clinging to them. A layer of white cloud with a hole in allowing a bit of blue sky to push through. At the bottom of the picture is a lake with a small refuge looking over it. Quite a stark image.

Here comes the sun 🎶

A picture showing a partial halo in a blue sky with light high clouds as the sun rises behind a mountain range with pine trees in the foreground A picture showing a partial halo in a blue sky with light high clouds as the sun rises behind a mountain range with pine trees in the foreground

I haven't done a for a while. It's the time of year when Sooty and Sweep snuggle up, looking all cosy and sweet until one of them starts a fight and it's all over 😅

Two cats snuggled into eachother. One is white with grey and ginger splodges and the other is black with ginger splodges and little bits of white hair. Two cats snuggled into eachother. One is white with grey and ginger splodges and the other is black with ginger splodges and little bits of white hair.

My nemesis bird the Iberian Magpie (Cyanopica cooki). These are the best shots I've gotten of them in 17 years 😂 One of these days I will nail a shot of them! Do you have a nemesis bird? I actually have a few!

An Iberian Magpie flying into a tree. The woodland is soft green light. The Magpie has azure blue wings and tail, buff coloured body, black top half of head and white throat An Iberian Magpie flying into a tree. The woodland is soft green light. The Magpie has azure blue wings and tail, buff coloured body, black top half of head and white throat

An Iberian Magpie sat on the branch of a tree. The Magpie has azure blue wings and tail, buff coloured body, black top half of head and white throat An Iberian Magpie sat on the branch of a tree. The Magpie has azure blue wings and tail, buff coloured body, black top half of head and white throat

An Iberian Magpie sat on the branch of a tree. The Magpie has azure blue wings and tail, buff coloured body, black top half of head and white throat An Iberian Magpie sat on the branch of a tree. The Magpie has azure blue wings and tail, buff coloured body, black top half of head and white throat