Polar air has marched it's way to southern Spain, even dropping some precipitation along the way. We went to take some photo's #Lanjaron showing the snowy Sierra Nevada #mountains above. Our usual place for this shot took us into an area that was devastated by wildfire in September last year. It was horrifying to watch then, It was horrifying to wander through today. The loss of wildlife, nature & livelihoods is beyond words.
#photography #wildfire #alpujarras #andalucia #sierranevada

He wanted in on the picture 😎
Arko, the lemons and the Hyacinths.
#photography #Dogs #dogsofmastodon #husky

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

We have Trolls living in our mountains 😱
#photography #funny #trolls #mountain #landscape #alpujarras #lanjaron #andalucia #spain

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

These two swapped characters yesterday, roll reversal on behaviour 😇😈
Rita found her inner Shepherd and stayed guarding me while I took photos. Usually she runs off on her own adventures, more often the inner husky has a stronger pull.
Arko found and listened to his inner husky and disappeared on his own adventure for an hour! Usually he stays beside me while I take photos.
#photography #Dogs #dogsofmastodon #andalucia #Spain

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

I do miss this pack 🌈 One day we might get back up to four again 🤞
Front row on his own Siberian Husky Khumbu 🌈 Back row left to right Husky mix Arko, Nordic Shepherd mix Rita and Leonberger Kyra 🌈
#dogs #dogsofmastodon #husky #siberianhusky #leonberger #rescuedog #photography #pets #dogwalk

Story of my life, wrong lens 🤣 This Kestrel put on a great show for us yesterday but alas I needed my longer lens, so these are heavily cropped and look better in b/w then they do in colour 🙄
#photography #Photomonday #birds #kestrel #birdphotography #wildlife #birding #andalucia #granada #lanjaron #alpujarras #blackandwhitephotography

The Golden eagle is an almost daily sight for me here in Lanjaron in the Granada province. Our work predominantly in the Sierra Nevada mountains of Spain and Alpujarra (the foothills of the Sierra Nevada) bring me into regular contact with the flora and fauna of our area.
#goldeneagle #birds #birdphotography #andalucia #Spain #aguilareal #sierranevada #photography #eagles #alpujarras #lanjaron

Exploring the Lecrin valley today and came across lots of almond groves 🌸 #photography #almondblossom #alpujarras #andalucia

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

Well here is something you don't see very often 😱 Hotair balloons passing over the Barranco del Alhorí and Picón de Jérez in the Sierra Nevada this morning.
#photography #sierranevada #mountains #andalucia #spain

There was an eye in the sky this morning 👁️
#sunhalo #sun #photography #alpujarras #andalucia #spain

It was a wild walk today. The sun was shining on the Mediterranean sea and the sky was full of forming lenticular clouds. No camera today only had the mobile with me. More tomorrow.
#photography #andalucia #spain #clouds

The snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada. The highest mountains of the range, Mulhacen and Veleta, were making their own clouds.
#photography #sierranevada #Mountains #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

We had an unusual view today of the Castillo and the town of La Calahorra today. Taken from 2609m on the summit of Morrón Sanjuanero in the Sierra Nevada mountains 😎
#photography #sierranevada #Mountains #castle #spain #andalucia

Happy Caturday from Sweep.
#catsofmastodon #caturday #cats #photography

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

Had some great Mammatus clouds yesterday where I am staying in the UK.
#clouds #weather #photo #photography

A bit of colour on an otherwise grey and crappy day. In the UK helping to take care of my mum who has terminal lung cancer, not a good day.
#endoflifecare #photography #cancersucks #dandelions #notagoodday

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

There is something special about Bluebell woodland ❤️ I've enjoyed reconnecting with this one close to my parents home.
#bluebells #flowers #woodland #photography #naturephotography

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

The dogs say the hot weather makes cushions explode, it's very dangerous to be left home alone and we should be thankful no animal was hurt! Picture 1 is the exploded cushion. Picture 2 the dogs who reported the exploding cushion story.
#Dogs #dogsofmastodon #photography #funny

It's Saturday so that must mean it's #caturday. Sooty and Sweep and dancing their way into the weekend.
#cats #catsofmastodon #photography

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 had a great looking sky yesterday evening. We are hoping for rain, but so far today there is no sign of it.
#weather #clouds #photography #pleaserain #andalucia #lanjaron

Isn't it great when you come upon an unexpected plant. Aquilegia vulgaris L. subsp. nevadensis is an endemic species, classified as vulnerable and is on the Red List of the Vascular Flora of Andalucia. I only know of a couple of areas where this plant grows, usually see it in early June, but not this year it's out and flowering already I expect due to the dry winter and spring we have had.
#photography #flora
#plants #flowers #aquilegia #endemic #andalucia #spain

Last walk with the dogs for a few weeks. I'm headed back to the UK to help care for my Mum.
#photography #dogs #dogsofmastodon #cancersucks #lanjaron #andalucia #spain #myfamily

A handsome stallion walks by in the high mountains of the Sierra Nevada. We had had a couple of big Saharan dust storms which had turned the snow to the colour you see. I took this photo one year ago.
#photography #sierranevada #mountains #wildhorses #andalucia

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

Had I not gone out with the 200-600 lens it would have been a perfect day for macro photography today 😂
#photography #andalucia #spain #wronglens

It's been 4 years today since I saw this gorgeous boy. Miss you Khumbu 💔🌈
#dogs #dogsofmastodon #photography #husky

Kind of how I feel at the moment

#caringforterminallyillmum #lost #photography #missinghome

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

Found an online cartoon photo editor. So much time wasting fun to be had playing about with this 😂 @elperronegro and myself on a chairlift last Tuesday heading up into the mountains.
If anyone fancies a play with their photo's it's called photocartoon.net
#photofun #cartoon #cartoonphoto #photography #whattodowhenitshotoutside

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

It always pays to stop and look at the view behind you when you are walking. The north faces of #Alcazaba and #Mulhacen dominating the skyline with the #moon rising above #Vacares. The red roof of refugio San Fransico standing out.
#photography #landscape #mountains #sierranevada #walking #andalucia #spain

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

The last of the pictures from our trip into the mountains. Mostly scene shots today. Can you spot the face in the rocks 🤔
#photography #spain #mountains #andalucia #sierranevada

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

The European Bee Eaters have been passing through en-mass over the past few weeks heading off to their wintering grounds in Africa. Our local populations left a long time ago, these passing through now are from further north. I was enjoying watching them feed up for their journey until one hit the alarm button, they all gathered together and shot off. Wise birds as a Peregrine Falcon had decided to join them!

#birds #birdphotography #photography #migration #andalucia #spain

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

Out walking Arko this morning before some long awaited rain arrives, and watched a shower pass over the Sierra Lujar. Still waiting for the rain 🤔🤞
#moodysky #rain #waitingforrain #photography #andalucia #spain

Walkies with Arko 🥰
Trying out a new lens and need subjects, the dogs are more obliging than the birds at the moment 🙄
#photography #dogs #dogsofmastodon #andalucia #spain #newlens

A Rita snooter ❤️
#dogs #dogsofmastodon #photography

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

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 🥶
#Photography #SierraNevada #Spain #Mountains

#silentsunday #photography #clouds

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

#SilentSunday #DogsOfMastodon #husky #Dogs #photography

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

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.
#wildfire #andalucia #spain #photography

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

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. #photography #Mediterranean #sea #sealife #spain #wildlife

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.
#WinterPictures #JoinThread #Winter #photography #spain #andalucia

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

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.
#Photography #Dogs #Dogsofmastodon #husky #rescuedog

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

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) #orchid #Andalucia #photography #flora #bloomscrolling #spain

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

A flower that makes you smile 🌼
#SilentSunday #BloomScrolling #Andalucia #Spain #Photography #Flowers #Flora

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

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.
#Orchid #Andalucia #Photography #Flora #BloomScrolling #Spain #Flowers #WildFlowers

We are in a drought in #Spain 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! #Photography #Dogs #Dogsofmastodon #Weather

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

It's been five years today since I last saw this gorgeous boy. How I miss Khumbu and his crazy Siberian antics ❤
#Photography #Dogs #Dogsofmastodon #Husky #Andalucia #Spain #missyou

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

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.
#mooningmonday #moon #photography #Mountains

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

Autumn is definitely on it's way. Misty rolling hills on this mornings dog walk.
#MistyMonday #Walking #Mountains #Spain #Photography #Landscape #Andalucia #MountainMonday

As the sun was setting it looked like another world with the thin clouds starting to move in front of it.
#Spain #Photography #Landscape #Andalucia #Sunset

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

I sure miss this pack. Kyra (Leonberger) and Khumbu (Siberian Husky) on the right of the picture are no longer with us. The two youngsters on the left are now 9 and 11 years old. How time passes so quickly.
#Photography #Dogs #Dogsofmastodon #Husky #Leonberger #Spain #Andalucia #Memories

#Caturday
Sooty likes to hide behind the laptop when it's open but gives herself away sometimes 😂
#Photography #Cat #Catsofmastodon #BlackandWhite

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

View from today's walk. The villages of Capileira and Bubion sitting below the clouds.
#Walking #Spain #Andalucia #Alpujarra #WhiteVillages #Photography

Hitching a lift!

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

Another favourite of these four ❤️
The two youngsters on either end of the picture, Rita (left) is now 11 and Arko (right) is nearly 9. Khumbu (Siberian Husky) and Kyra (Leonberger) in the middle of the picture are no longer with us.
How time passes so quickly.
#Photography #Dogs #Dogsofmastodon #Husky #Leonberger #Spain #Andalucia #Memories #rescuedogs

Where in the world am I? It certainly doesn't feel like Southern Spain, in particular Andalucia. We have gone from autumn to winter in the blink of an eye. The Sierra Nevada mountains are looking quite splendid in it's first winter outfit.

#Hiking #MountainMonday #Walking #Mountains #Spain #Photography #Landscape #LandscapePhotography #Outdoors #Andalucia

Arko and the Sunset. Sounds like the name of a band 😂

#Photography #Dogs #Dogsofmastodon #Husky #Sunset

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

Happy 9th birthday to our beautiful Arko.

#Photography #Dogs #Dogsofmastodon #Birthday #Husky

These youngsters are practicing for when they become big boys!

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

A wet dog walk this morning, that doesn't happen very often. Hoping those in the red alert areas stay safe. More crazy Spanish weather.

#Mountains #Spain #Photography #Landscape #LandscapePhotography #Outdoors #Andalucia #Weather

11 years ago this beautiful bundle of craziness came to live with us, we named her Rita, she was/is the perfect addition to the pack ❤

#Photography #Dogs #Dogsofmastodon #RescueDogs #Pets #Family

#Caturday I swear Sooty thinks she is flying an alien spaceship 👽 She makes us laugh when she pops up like this 😅

#Photography #Cat #Catsofmastodon

I guess this would have been good for #MountainMonday but it's now Tuesday haha. Mt Teide on the island of Tenerife emerging from the calima taken from the island of La Palma.

#Hiking #Walking #Mountains #Spain #Photography #Landscape #LandscapePhotography #Outdoors #CanaryIslands

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

Rita often takes herself off to stand on top of things that give her some extra height to survey the goings on. Today on our walk she looked great against the Andalucian blue winter sky. She maybe 11 but she still believes she is the fastest dog in the world!
#Photography #Dogs #DogsofMastodon #RescueDog

A beautiful new to us dog walk today. Four dogs and four humans very happy. The winter weather was perfect and in traditional style we ended the walk at a bar 🍻

#Dogs #Dogsofmastodon #Walking #DogWalk #Photography #Spain #Andaluica

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

#SilentSunday
#Photography #Dogs #Dogsofmastodon

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

As the sun set on Christmas day we were treated to a great view of the mountains in north Africa.
#Mountains #Spain #Photography #Landscape #Sunset #Andalucia #Africa