Tenerife

In March we found ourselves for a week or so on the Canarian island of Tenerife. Our purpose was to explore nature in this time of year and to find some of the dragonflies of the few species that exist here.

Because of the uncertain weather this was quite a challenge; especially because they only appear in in the sunshine… We took a good chance in the Barranco del Infierno, where in the protected areas they were present for a short while in all their beauty.

The somewhat windy weather however, made the coastline, with its big waves, an interesting sight to watch and capture. The most intriguing catch there, was the Portuguese Man of War, a beautiful blue colonial organism, see photo made by my husband (a biologist) by the way.

And of course there is this rugged land all over the place, with its rocky lava mountains and the proud Teide on top of this ever fascinating island!!

 

Pico del Teide

Caneriensis-Bicacarera (Canary Island Bellflower)

Sympetrum Nigrefemur (Island Darter)

Punta Hidalgo (NE coast)

Portuguese Man of War

Montaña Roja (S coast)

Remains in Garachico

Los Roques in the Cañadas

Trithemis Arteriosa (Red-veined dropwing)

Euphorbia Canarienses (Canary Island Spurge)

Alectoris Barbara (Barbary Partridge)

Brassica Napus (Coleseed flower)

At the end of the day ;-)

London Street art II

Recently we admired and enjoyed London street art for the second time*. 

Colours, styles, faces, animals, in all sorts and sizes. It’s like a happy outside museum where the collection grows and changes all the time! Most of all I like the structure effect of graffiti on brick stone. Often this art form contains hopeful and peaceful messages (have a look at the last one!).

So, for people who want to be surprised and explore London areas which used to be grey and neglected, they’re an interesting destination.

I want to thank all people and artists (Noir, Stik, Walker, ROA & many, many others) who take the trouble to brighten up these streets and make living conditions more joyful!!

* See januari 2015 for Streetart I

Mallorca!

Some weeks ago, we were happy to find out that Mallorca is not the touristic place we had in mind. It’s for the greater part an agricultural and rugged island on which it is an adventure to stroll around and to do some wild- and birdwatching. We saw many birds of prey, purple Gallinules (the big feet one in black and white ;-) and eurasian Hoopoes (6th picture). 

To come across the rare and beautiful violet dropwing dragonfly, was the biggest surprise of it all.

Apart from the beauty of nature, the villages are ancient and charming and the weather is pleasant, even at the beginning of november.

I guess some spring we want to see more of this mostly untouched island!

   

Trip to South Carolina, California and Vancouver Island!

Because we have two children living in America (Charleston SC and San Francisco CA), we have a very good reason to cross the Atlantic every now and again. 

Apart form that, we found out that the early autumn period on Vancouver Island, is the perfect time to do some black bear spotting (meeting!).

So we planned and made a complex but magnificent trip, which completely answered our expectations.

We saw and experienced: Killer whales, salmon, black bear, amazing landscapes, bald eagles, wineries, exotic birds, butterflies and dragonflies, crawfish and anole lizards (eating dragonflies!).

Back home again in Holland, we enjoy the sweet memories and images ;-) 

Half Dome, Yosemity CA

Himantopus Himantopus (Black Winged Stilt) Silicon Valley CA  

Rosewall Creek, Vancouver Island

Argia Vivida (Bright Blue Damselfly) CA

Papilio Palamedes (Palamedes Swallowtail) SC

Cyanocitta Stelleri (Steller's Jay) Vancouver Island

Yosemity Valley CA

Ursus Americanus (Black Bear) BC

Orcinus Orca (Killer Whale) Pacific Ocean

Elk Falls, Vancouver Island

Agraulis Vanillae (Gulf Fritillary) SC

Anolis Carolinensis (Arboreal Anole Lizard) SC

Crawfish, Campbell River, Vancouver Island

Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island