Barranco de Barafonso
My son has another photograph he’d like to take. He’s researched it all and knows the route we’ll be taking and we’re …
Pipit on parade
Many of the plants on Gran Canaria have given up on having leaves. Some have evolved to simply have stems and spikes, …
The dunes of Maspalomas
My son has a specific photograph in mind and he wants to get it. He’s a very driven young man. The location’s …
Canary Islands Chiffchaff on the balcony
We’re in Gran Canaria for a few days and we’ve moved to Agaete, a coastal town. There’s a wonderful walk to Puerto …
Pipit
We can see Tenerife in the distance. The peak, Teide, is 3718 meters high. No wonder it’s visible above the clouds. Peeping nearby …
Incoming!
We’ve diverted from our route slightly to visit Roque Bentayga on Gran Canaria. Looking down into the ravine, it’s great to see …
A Canary Islands Robin deep in the prehistoric Laurel forest
A quick check reveals there’s a stretch of original Laurisilva forest on our route through Gran Canaria. That’s exciting. How often do …
Bertholet’s Pipit on Gran Canaria
Clear skies, winding roads, sea spray; what’s not to like? We’re driving on the GC-200 through Parque Natural Tamadaba on Gran Canaria. …
Sunset at Mirador del Balcón
My son suggests a place he really wants to go in Gran Canaria. It’s a viewpoint over the ocean at the end …
Canary Island Pine
Driving around Gran Canaria is such a thrill. Or it is when I get used to being on the ‘wrong’ side of …
Dawn at the Cave House
It’s dawn at the Cave House on Gran Canaria. We’ve set the alarm for a few minutes before dawn and my son …
The Cave House and the Grey Shrike
We leave Artenara and drive to Acusa Seca. My son’s booked a cave house for us for the night. It’s a house. …
Canary Islands Kestrels
My son asks me if I fancy going on a long-weekend holiday to the Canary Islands. I say yes. I have no …
Pygmy Cormorant
There’s a Pygmy Cormorant, Microcarbo pygmaeus, in the water. It looks as pleased to be here as we are. The light is …
Great Tits
The colours are beautiful behind this Great Tit, Parus major. They have beautiful glossy caps and shining black eyes. They are the …
The Horse Egret
There are two white horses together with their attendants at Lago di Alviano. This is a Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis, riding a …
Marsh Tits
Marsh Tits must make a tasty morsel. The only ones which have survived are constantly wary of their environment. This one is …
Blue Tits #2
I’m delighted to be spending time with Blue Tits in the forest here at Lago di Alviano. These don’t have metal rings …
Blue Tits #1
Finally! Some decent light. Aren’t Blue Tits fantastic? This one has a raised crest to die for: They’ve got to be one …
Nutria
There’s a Coypu in the lake at Lago di Alviano. They look like they are doing doggy-paddle. I’d love to see what …
The Upside-Down bird
Strike a pose! If Nuthatches had a decade and musical style, what would it be? Might they be New Romantics from the …
African Sacred Ibis
There are two African Sacred Ibis in the lake at Lago di Alviano. Here’s one: Their scientific name, Threskiornis aethiopicus, gives another …
Tits and Finches in an Italian forest
Blue Tits, Cyanistes caeruleus, always cheer me up. Who doesn’t have their spirits lifted when they see a bright, tiny little bird …
Little Footy Arse
It’s wet at Lago di Alviano. The light is poor and it’s cold. We have a cold packed lunch and plenty of …
Kangaroo Island – Silver Gulls and Greater Crested Terns
Kangaroo Island is sometimes called Australia’s Galapagos. It was separated from Australia by the same climatic event which separated Ireland from Britain …
Kangaroo Island – Australian Sea Lions
If Kangaroo Island is going to recover from the devastating bush fires which have destroyed much of the environment in the last …
Kangaroo Island – Remarkable Rocks
It’s taken 500 million years of wind and rain and pounding waves to sculpt these exceptional forms: The position of the rocks, …
Kangaroo Island – New Zealand Fur Seals
“Kangaroo Island. Too good to spoil.” That’s what the Australian Government’s Natural Resources website says. “Keep Kangaroo Island free from introduced pests. …
Kangaroo Island – Kangaroos and Koalas
“Kangaroo Island. Too good to spoil.” That’s what the Australian Government’s Natural Resources website says. Kangaroo Island is home to 4,000 people. …
Chasing Common Kestrels
Arriving in the park I see a male Common Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus. I think it may have a couple of ticks on …