Butterflies everywhere, particularly the Iberian Marbled White (Melanargia lachesis) which is very numerous here. The butterflies dance in pairs around your feet as you walk the terraces.
I also came across several Meadow Browns (Maniola jurtina), a Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia), a Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), a Peacock (Inachis io) and a Swallowtail (Papilio machaon).
Several species of dragonfly and damselfly around our waterfalls. Here’s a male Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) which I saw every day, often in pairs and around other waterfalls in the area as well. The flight pattern of these lovely damselflies is dancing, almost butterfly-like.
A Fire Salamander (Salamandra salamandra) which seemed to really like exploring the drainage channel I dug round the edge of the yurt platform. I found him here on several mornings.
And though I never had the camera handy, on several occasions we spotted eagles circling on the afternoon updraughts funneled up through our valley. Evidently there are lots of them in the Benfeita valley. Next time I’ll hopefully have more time to photograph them.
Michelle July 6, 2009
Wow the salamander is brilliant- never seen one with those colours before.Its good that you are beginning to see who you are sharing with and the diversity you have on the land.
michelle