A wonderful warm and sunny day in the rolling limestone hills of the Barrocal, just inland from the Algarve coast.
Today was supposed to be a plant day, but amongst the botanising we also managed to enjoy both Short-toed and Bonelli's Eagles, both species of Psammodromus lizard, a delightful Empusa pennata praying mantis and a surprising number of butterflies enjoying the weather, including Swallowtail, Scarce Swallowtail, Spanish Festoon and Cleopatra, all impressively showy beasts.
We go to bed tired, but certainly very happy!
Today was supposed to be a plant day, but amongst the botanising we also managed to enjoy both Short-toed and Bonelli's Eagles, both species of Psammodromus lizard, a delightful Empusa pennata praying mantis and a surprising number of butterflies enjoying the weather, including Swallowtail, Scarce Swallowtail, Spanish Festoon and Cleopatra, all impressively showy beasts.
We go to bed tired, but certainly very happy!
Ophrys vernixia, the Lusitanian Mirror Orchid.We found a wonderful colony of this local speciality, growing alongside its commoner cousin O. ciliata. Told by the paler fringe of hairs and the longer 'arms'.
Ophrys picta, one of the 'scolopax' group, told by its relatively small flower, with long, narrow, almost linear petals.
The ever popular Ophrys lutea. Just lovely....
A juvenile Empus pennata mantis.
Paeonia broteroi, one of the highlights of the day
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