Nature reserve the Brenne

In June, just before the weather in Europe got very hot, we went to a wet nature reserve in France, the Brenne. Nothing spectacular to be seen at first sight. But fortunately, we know that there is a lot of aquatic life to be found (if you look very closely ;-). Apart from that it's good to mention and good to know that these reserves in France are very well protected and looked after.

In this reserve we were happy to find impressive insects such as the bright blue scarab beetle and the enormous stag beetle; we also saw may waterfowl, dragonflies, amphibians and special flowers. 

Again, we are thankful for all the beauty we experienced!

Black crowned heron (Ardea nycticorax)

Waterfrog (Pelophylax esculenta)

Etang in the Brenne

Purple heron (Ardea purpurea)

Oats (Avena sativa)

Scarlet dragonfly (Crocothemis erythraea)

Stream in the Brenne

Stag beetle (Lucanus cerrus)

Scarab beetle (Hoplia coerulia)

Western green lizard (Lacerta bilineata)

Plum cherry (Prunus cerasus)

European tree frog (Hyla arborea)

Les Alpilles in May

 

It's no secret that spring, in many ways, is an exciting season.

Trees, flowers, insects, birds, they all seem to wake up and show their presence and activities. You're lucky when you have the opportunity to observe and enjoy this phenomenon.

This year we chose to be in the Provence for a week; in les Alpilles to be precise. The pleasant weather helped a great deal to experience this region in all its glory.

As you will see I focused, perhaps more than in the past, on small subjects like details of plants and insects. It's because I think, that these elements are not only colourful pieces of art, but they also form a crucial part of our ecosystem. Enjoy!

Wild rose and three swollen-thighed beetles (Oedemera nobilis)

Swallow tale (Papilio machaon)

Marais du Vigneirat

Narrowleaf plantain (Plantago lanceolata)

Red veined darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii)

Jet black ants (Lasius fuliginaus)

The common hound's-tongue (Cynoglossum officinale)

European roller (Coracias garrulus)

Emerald ash borer (Anthaxia hungarica)

Owlfly (Libelloides coccajus)

Olive plantation

Chalk hill blue (Lysandra coridon)

Four spotted leaf beetle (Clytra quadripunctata)

Goatsbeard's seedfluff (Tragopogon)

Martinique revisited

 

Seven years ago, we discovered this french island's nature for the first time.

Apart from the pleasant atmosphere and friendly people, we enjoyed the subtropical environment, especially the reptiles, flowers, birds and insects.

And since winter in Holland is not the happiest season in our opinion, a second nature researce of Martinique seemed a good idea. And so it was!

As you can see, the endemic anoles, iquanas, crabs, herons and insects luckily were still there, very much alive and colourful. All together a happy second experience!

Erithrodiplax umbrata (band-winged dragonlet, female)

Bubulcus ibis (cattle egret)

Anolis roquet (Martinique anole)

Eburia quadrigeminata (ivory marked beetle)

Acacia (seed pods)

Sicalis flaveola (saffron finch)

Cardisoma guanhumi (blue land crab, juvenile)

Anolis roquet (Martinique anole)

Butorides virescens (green heron)

Thalasseus maximus (royal tern)

Orthemis macrostigma (tropical king skimmer)

Dione vanillae (passion butterfly)

Bay Fort de France

Iguana iguana (American iguana)

Reflection

North-East Germany in August

 

After some months of hustle and bustle because of our removal, we were glad to go on holiday for a fortnight. We went to the quiet North-East of Germany.

The good thing about this part of the country is the diversity in an enormous vast landscape. Mixed forests, meadows surrounded by shrubbery, streams, moors, lakes, small country roads and agricultural fields with groups of trees here and there (and hardly any tourists ;-). The ideal environment for wild flowers, insects and birds.

We were happy to stroll around in this countryside. We found and observed many flowers, lichens, dragonflies, butterflies, bugs, deer, birds of pray and cranes.

Of course I present a glimpse of all this beauty with a personal touch. 

Long live diversity!

Country lane N-E Germany

Lichen: Evernia Prunastria

Electricity house with Osprey

Pine forest

Damselfly: Lestes Virens

Several lichens and moss

Bug: Elasmostethus Interstinctus

Weed: Hieracium

Abandoned house in the Müritz

Adult crane with young

Caterpillar of moth: Ethmia Bipunctella

Scarce Copper butterfly (female)

Dragonfly: Orthetrum Cancellatum

Steinhuder Meer

Kestrel looking for a prey

Young roe deer