Aragon Pyrenees: 22nd May 2011

And behold, there was sunshine... blue skies, fluffy white clouds, spectacular mountains. The perfect backdrop to a day of wandering the lanes. Perfect weather for butterflies, and for big soaring things. The skies were permanently full of raptors today (what do all these vultures eat??), with Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Hobby and a very noisy Peregrine new for the trip.

At a smaller scale, butterflies were VERY active today, with 30 species putting in an appearance: highlights were my first Spanish Heath, together with Pearly Heath, Spanish Fritillary, Southern White Admiral and Berger's Clouded Yellow.

By the river, Subalpine and Melodious Warblers and Nightingale seem in permanent competition to see who can sing loudest, although all lose out to the noisy chorus of the Iberian Water Frogs.

And now I'm off out again... Citril Finches just up the road are proving too tempting!

Egyptian Vulture

Agrilus sp. Just days after bemoaning how I never seem to see Jewel Beetles, in the last two days I've found three different species, including this handsome fellow who has a 'thing' for yellow flowers, and the beautiful Anthaxia salicis, a metallic blue and red concoction that unfortunately wasn't quite such a good poser as its larger, greener cousin.

Southern White Admiral

Spanish Heath