You are clear for landing 🐝

#nature #funphoto #dogwalk #lanjaron

This bee was happy that the almond blossom survived the recent polar blast.
Almond blossom and the Bee, sort of sounds like it could be the name of a band 😂
#photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #almondblossom #bee #alpujarras #andalucia #spain #Lanjaron #flora

I love these tiny #Narcissus that grow in my neighbours campo.
#flora #photography #nature #flowers #spring #lanjaron #alpujarras #andalucia #Spain

Fun with the bees 🐝
#photography #bees #nature #naturephotography #andalucia #spain #sony

The Gannets were entertaining me while at the coast the other day. #birds #birdphotography #photography #nature #mediterraneansea #gannets #andalucia #Spain

Watching out for pirates 🏴‍☠️
#ibex #spanishibex #nature #photography #naturephotography #andalucia #spain

Out in the Sierra Arana today having a short hike and came across this cute little one. We took each other by surprise 🤗
#photography #nature #naturephotography #squirrel #walking #andalucia #spain

My nemesis bird, OK so I have a few but today we are talking about the Iberian Magpie. This bird is super friendly in some parts of Spain, I just have never met one of those 🤔 This shot is probably the best shot of one I've taken in 17 years of living here 🤦‍♀️🤣
Do you have a nemesis bird?
#photography #birds #birdphotography #nature #birdsofmastodon #spain #andalucia

This Common Kestrel was rather pleased with itself having caught a grasshopper for lunch 🍽️
#photography #birds #birdphotography #nature #birding #birdsofmastodon #lanjaron #andalucia #Spain #wildlife

This Greater Bee-fly was taking a late breakfast of Biscutella auriculata when I snapped him yesterday while out on the dog walk.
#insects #photography #nature #flora #beefly #spain #naturephotography

The male Mallards are looking particularly handsome at the moment 😍
#photography #birds #wildlife #birdsofmastodon #duck #nature #naturephotography #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography

The Bluebells are flowering and Bumble Bees are feasting on the pollen 🐝
#photography #naturephotography #flora #insects #bees #nature #flowers #wildflowers

Introducing Mr and Mrs Woodchat Shrike ❤️ I have seen 4 on the dog walk today, that's the most I've seen on the dog walk for a number of years.
#photography #nature #birds #birdphotography #naturephotography #wildlife #birdsofmastodon #spain

Came across an Alpine Swift colony while out on a walk recently. Boy these guys move fast. What a great sight it was to be around such impressive birds. Almost as impressive was the fact I actually photographed one in focus 😂
#birds #photography #birdsofmastodon #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #birdphotography #Spain

We call this guy Scruffy. I think he might be an Elvis fan 🤔

#photography #birds #birdphotography #nature

Sometimes it's the simple things in life 🌼
#photography #flowers #daisy #nature

Came across these two cuties and a third sibling recently. Had to help them away from stupid person with a dog. Hopefully the parents located them 🤞

#birds #photography #nature #birdphotography #wildlife #birdsofmastodon #cute

I know technically this isn't a great shot, but I like it anyway 😂
#photography #landscape #nature #ilikeitanyway

On Tuesday we found 4 of the 6 Gentians in the Sierra Nevada mountains. It's highly likely we saw 5, the two tube gentians are very similar. Some of these flowers are so tiny, most people don't see them. Info on each picture.
#photography #wildflowers #gentians #sierranevada #flora #bloomscrolling #spain #nature #andalucia

This pale form Booted Eagle flew over the house yesterday as I was fetching the washing in. I had to run back into the house, grab the camera, change settings, run back outside, the eagle was way above by then. Happens everytime, you'd think I'd have learnt by now!
#bootedeagle #eagle #birds #birdsofprey #photography #birdsofmastodon #birdphotography #keepontrying #nature #wildlife

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.
#birds #birdphotography #nature #photography #family #wildlife #andalucia #spain

I rescued this baby Praying Mantis yesterday from the dog pool. I had to use the macro lens as she was so tiny but seemed grateful for the rescue 🙏
Update : - Turns out this is an endangered adult Apteromantis aptera
#photography #insects #wildlife #nature #spain #andalucia

Some nature shots from our recent outing into the Sierra Nevada mountains. Vasar de Mulhacen, a night on the Collado de Siete Lagunas and all the way down, down, down, 1700m down to Trevelez. Great trip, legs still recovering from that decent 🥴 We saw plenty of wildlife, Iberian Ibex, Griffon Vultures, Booted Eagles, Red-billed Choughs, Northern Wheatears, Alpine Accentors. Not so many wildflowers left now. #sierranevada #Mountains #nature #wildlife #photography #spain #andalucia

One photo from our latest overnight trip into the mountains. The setting sun allowed me to get a shot of it, just as it was dunking down into the mess of the calima and heat haze. Taken from our bivvi spot on the Cartujo at 3152m. Look at those sun spots!
#photography #sun #sunset #nature #Spain #andalucia

Yesterday I shared a sun photo, today is the #moon photo I took during our overnight trip into the mountains recently. Both shots were hand held, which I think is quite impressive considering the weight of the lens and camera 🥴
#photography #Spain #andalucia #nature

We were going to be walking and spending the night in a reliable place for seeing the Griffon Vulture. I hoped that adding the extra weight to my pack, ie the enormous lens and camera, that I wouldn't just be taking it for a walk for 2 days but would actually use it. The Griffon Vultures didn't let me down ❤️ 17 yrs walking in these mountains I am learning where the wildlife hangs out #birds #birdsofmastodon #birdphotography #Spain #andalucia #wildlife #nature #vulture #Mountains #photography

No doubt Mastodon is full of Blue super moon photos, so I'm just going to add mine too 😆
#moon #mooning #photography #bluesupermoon #supermoon #nature #spain #andalucia

I had a #dragonfly hanging around the roof terrace yesterday so I tried to photograph it. I did okay, but definitely need more practise. I think it's type of Darter? Maybe someone with more dragon knowledge can help.
Edit - Identified as a Red-veined Darter - sympetrum fonscolumbii
#photography #insects #nature #andalucia #spain

A Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica) from a recent trip to the Picos de Europa.
#SilentSunday #photography #wildlife #nature #spain

You can always rely on the Stonechat when everything else is being shy. From this morning on the dog walk.

#nature #birds #spain #wildlife #photography #naturephotography #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #mr&mrs #andalucia

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!

#photography #birds #nature #spain #wildlife #naturephotography #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #andalucia

This impressive male Iberian Ibex walked on by while we were having lunch the other day.
#photography #nature #spain #wildlife #photography #naturephotography #andalucia

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.
#photography #nature #reptiles #spain #wildlife #lapalma #naturephotography

A Grey Heron off for a walk in the Embalse de Cubillas, Granada.
#nature #birds #spain #wildlife #photography #naturephotography #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #andalucia

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 🙂
#Nature #Birds #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Birdphotography #Birdsofmastodon #Patagonia #Argentina

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.
#Nature #Birds #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Birdphotography #Birdsofmastodon #Patagonia #Argentina

Spot the odd one out!
#Nature #Insects #Spain #Wildlife #Flora #Photography #Naturephotography #Andalucia

The advance party is on it's way. This almond tree often flowers before Christmas. The main almond flower season is February where our mountainsides are glowing with the flowers.
#photography #flora #nature #naturephotography #Spain #andalucia

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.
#Nature #Birds #Patagonia #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Birdphotography #Birdsofmastodon #Argentina #birdsofprey

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.
#Nature #Birds #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Birdphotography #Birdsofmastodon #Andalucia

#SilentSunday #Andalucia #Spain #Photography #Nature #Birds #Spain #Wildlife #Naturephotography #Birdphotography #Birdsofmastodon

While out and about the other day we bumped into this beautiful female Kestrel. She was sat on top of a tree watching for potential food, which she spotted and flew off to try to catch, I lost sight of her.
#Nature #Birds #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Birdphotography #Birdsofmastodon #Andalucia

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?
#Nature #Birds #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Birdphotography #Birdsofmastodon #Andalucia #WinterPictures

Bumble Bee doing what they do best 🐝
#Nature #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Insects #Bumblebee #Naturephotography #Andalucia

The friendly and charismatic Alpine Chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus). I found out recently that they pair for life ❤️
#Nature #Birds #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Birdphotography #Birdsofmastodon #WinterPictures #JoinThread #Winter

The Hardenbergia violacea is in flower and the Carpenter bees LOVE it. #Nature #Insects #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Andalucia #flowers

Our beautiful ball of fire setting on our camp a few days ago. #Nature #Spain #Landscape #Photography #Naturephotography #Andalucia

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! #insects #Nature #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Andalucia

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. #Nature #Birds #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Birdphotography #Birdsofmastodon #Andalucia

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. #Nature #Birds #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #rarebirds #Naturephotography #Birdphotography #Birdsofmastodon #Andalucia

Attagenus trifasciatus hanging out on Thapsia garganica 🤓
#Nature #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Andalucia #insects

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!
#Nature #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Andalucia

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?
#Nature #Birds #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Birdphotography #Birdsofmastodon

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.
#Insects #Nature #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Andalucia

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).
#Nature #Birds #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Birdphotography #Birdsofmastodon #Andalucia

Reintroduced Bearded Vulture killed by wind turbine collision in #Spain 🤬

"Incidents like this undo decades of effort in the recovery and protection of Spanish biodiversity. The Bearded Vulture, a symbol of #wildlife 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/
#nature

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.
#Butterfly #Apollo #Insects #Nature #naturephotography #Mountains #SierraNevada #Andalucia #Spain #wildlife

This giant Bumble bee was feeding on the endemic Gentiana sierrae moments before it headed straight for the camera 😂
#Nature #Insects #Spain #Mountains #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Andalucia #SierraNevada

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?
#Nature #Birds #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Birdphotography #Birdsofmastodon

On the morning after our night out in the mountains recently the first light was just hitting a herd of Spanish Ibex. This male was lit up in all his glory.
#Nature #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Andalucia

The first Saturday of September every year marks International Vulture Awareness Day #IVAD, uniting thousands globally to raise awareness about vultures' importance and the urgent need for their conservation.
This is a picture of Griffon Vulture that I took close to home. Vultures: vital guardians of the natural world, not just mere scavengers. Find out more about vultures https://vultureday.org/vultures/
#Nature #Birds #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Birdphotography #Birdsofmastodon

It must be autumn as the autumn crocus are flowering now over the lower hillsides.
#Flora #Spain #Nature #Photography #BloomScrolling #Andalucia #Autumn

This sweat Northern Wheatear won't be around in the mountains much longer as the seasons start to change and it heads off somewhere warmer for the winter.
#Nature #Birds #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Birdphotography #Birdsofmastodon #Andalucia #MountainLife

Bumped into this little lady while watering the apple trees this morning.
#Nature #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Andalucia #Insects

#SilentSunday #Flora #Italy #Nature #Photography #Botany #BloomScrolling

Eristalinus taeniops, a species of Hover fly, also known as the Band-eyed Drone Fly. What fabulous eyes it has 👀
#Insects #Nature #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Andalucia #Macro #Macrophotography

The land of the dragons. Who'd have thought the Canary island of La Palma would be home to dragons. This very handsome one is known as Gallotia galloti ssp. palmae, also known by the nickname "barba azul" bluebeard, I think we can see why!
#Nature #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Reptiles #CanaryIslands #LaPalma

#SilentSunday #Andalucia #Spain #Photography #Nature #Birds #Wildlife #Birdphotography #BirdsofMastodon

Hitching a lift!

#Nature #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Andalucia #Insects

The Housefly! Macro photography always fascinates me, you see things that you wouldn't otherwise give the time of day to.

#Insects #Macro #MacroPhotography #Spain #Andalucia #Nature

Spotted near the Alhambra palace in Granada. The colours of these birds never fail to amaze me in their vividness.

#Nature #Birds #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Birdphotography #BirdsofMastodon #Andalucia

These youngsters are practicing for when they become big boys!

#Nature #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Andalucia #Ibex

We had an amazing encounter with a Bearded vulture (Lammergeier) yesterday in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Of course I had the small point & press camera rather than my usual birding lens and camera. The sky was awful for bird photography. But what mattered was the encounter. It's always so special when an unexpected wildlife encounter happens.
#Nature #Birds #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Birdphotography #BirdsofMastodon #Andalucia #RareBird

The wonderful and very vocal Southern Lapwing, possibly the Patagonian subspeices (chilensis/fretensis)? I need someone who knows more than I do to confirm or disagree with that. I like how this shot shows the spur on the wing just pointing through the back chest feathers. These can be used defending it's young or territory. Quite the feisty bird 💪

#Nature #Birds #Patagonia #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Birdphotography #BirdsofMastodon #Argentina

#SilentSunday

#Nature #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Andalucia, #Amphibian #FrogsofMastodon

A bee doing bee things 🐝

#Nature #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Naturephotography #Andalucia #Insects

At 2100m we found a handful of Gentiana sierrae flowering and some still in bud. These should not be flowering at the end of November.
#Flora #Spain #Nature #Photography #Botany #BloomScrolling #Andalucia #SierraNevada

These guys always remind me of bandits 🙃

#Nature #Birds #Spain #Wildlife #Photography #Birdphotography #BirdsofMastodon #Andalucia

Can you spot the face in the mountains? It looks like a giant laying down. One from our walk on Tuesday.
#Walking #Mountains #Spain #Photography #Landscape #Outdoors #Andalucia #Nature

Orchid season is starting 🙂 I found the first of the Sombre Bee Orchids (Ophrys fusca) yesterday. They were living up to their name and were in the shade, this particular area gets no sun this time of year, they make it very difficult to photograph them. I've seen plenty of rosettes around and about so many more to come yet, some may get some sun and make a brighter picture!
#Orchids #WildOrchids #Flora #Spain #Nature #Photography #Botany #BloomScrolling #Andalucia #WildFlowers

The advance party of one! Some of the early almond trees are starting to flower. By February the hillsides of the Alpujarra will be sparkling with the blossom from these trees.
#Flora #Spain #Nature #Photography #Botany #BloomScrolling #Andalucia #WildFlowers #AlmondBlossom #Trees