After the first autumn rains, seeds that have been lying dormant through the heat of summer burst into life giving a green haze to hillsides and fields. This is also a time when autumn flowers put on their show. The brighter yellows can easily be discerned but the more delicate lilacs and whites blend with the surroundings with some blooms so fine that they can easily be over looked. These are just a few of the gems to look out for.

Even the lightest breeze is appreciated when you are out and about in the sierras during August. We set off with sun cream, hats and plenty of chilled water, even late into the afternoons the sun showed little desire to lower in the sky. The brilliant blue skies could be relied upon to form a beautiful backdrop to most of our images with occasional pure white clouds offering an interesting colour contrast.

We took the drivable track that enters the Sierra de Las Nieves natural park from the western perimeter on the Ronda road. It heads about 10km in before reaching "Los Quejigales" picnic area. We were pleasantly surprised at how well the mainly gravel tracks have been maintained especially after the heavy spring rains. Cistus crispus which is a low shrub with large deep pink flowers stands out brightly against the drying grasses. We only travelled a few hundred metres before stopping to watch a Booted eagle that was carrying something in its talons. Whilst we watched a second eagle grappled, trying to steal the meal which dropped to the ground followed closely by one of the birds.

There are many impressive flying insects on the wing during the summer months. Some due to their colours or intricate design and others are just large. In this last category fall the Carpenter bee, the Hornet and the Mammoth wasp. Many people flap their arms in fear at these airborne creatures - whereas standing still and observing them may be better practice. They are generally docile and quite attractive if viewed calmly. (Unless you are poking the hornets nest of course!)

During May, after much debate and delay we finally took possession of some chickens. They are “Gallinas Andaluz Sureño Negro” something that has become a rare breed of chickens from Andalusia as other types have gained in popularity. We collected a cockerel and a hen from the Zoobotanico in Jerez de la Frontera as they are breeding this pure race to promote old breeds and increase their numbers. The two of them were about 3 months old, virtually all black with a green sheen and quite handsome. We also collected 3 little chicks that were still going to need a heat lamp at night!