January is a busy time for harvesting the olive fruit and during this same month the almond trees begin to flower. Slopes scattered with these stark black, wizened trunks which appear lifeless, quickly turn to delicate shades of soft pink. Although these are orchard blooms, they are very photogenic and especially pleasing to the eye when combined with the wildflowers of broad-leaved iris beneath.

Day 1    Wednesday 9th March
Weather: Continuous rain
Eight tour members met with Paul at Malaga airport, having arrived on three separate flights from London Gatwick, Exeter and Birmingham. We made our way from the arrivals hall to the multi-storey car park, to collect our minibus. Leaving the airport, we drove west and then north towards Alhaurin de la Torre, and on towards Cartama, where we joined the A355 in the direction of Campillos, turning left for Ronda just north of Ardarles. On the outskirts of Ronda, we turned onto the El Burgo road, and were soon arriving at the ‘Finca de Guzmana’, our base for the week. We were met by Peter, our host, who soon had us settled into our rooms. After freshening up, we met in the lounge for sherry and nibbles, before heading off for dinner at the local Venta la Codorniz.

Day 1    Wednesday 16th March

Weather: Warm, dry and sunny

Although December may bring rain and frost to the mountains it is a time of growth, spurred on after the prolonged rest enforced by the heat of summer. This rainfall nourishes the ground and triggers the flowering and fruit production of a few species, a process which now picks up spead with more and more flowers appearing each month until the summer heat strikes again. This is part of an ongoing project to create a complete flowering calendar for the sierra.

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.

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!)

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.